Last Will and Testament of
George Washington
July 9, 1799
ITEM: Upon the decease of my wife, it is my Will and
desire that all the Slaves which I hold in my own right, shall receive
their freedom. To emancipate them during her life, would, tho' earnestly
wished by me, be attended with such insuperable difficulties on account
of their intermixture by Marriages with the Dower Negroes, as to excite
the most painful sensations, if not disagreeable consequences from the
latter, while both descriptions are in the occupancy of the same Proprietor;
it not being in my power, under the tenure by which the Dower Negroes are
held, to manumit them. And whereas among those who will receive freedom
according to this devise, there may be some, who from old age or bodily
infirmities, and others who on account of their infancy, that will be unable
to support themselves; it is my Will and desire that all who come under
the first and second description shall be comfortably cloathed and fed
by my heirs while they live.... The Negroes thus bound, are (by their Masters
or Mistresses) to be taught to read and write; and to be brought up with
some useful occupation .... And I do hereby expressly forbid the Sale,
or transportation out of [Virginia], of any Slave I may die possessed of,
under any pretence whatsoever. And I do moreover most pointedly, and most
solemnly enjoin it upon my Executors hereafter named, or the Survivors
of them, to see that this clause respecting Slaves, and every part thereof
be religiously fulfilled at the Epoch at which it is directed to take place;
without evasion, neglect or delay....
