Letter, Henry P. Hill to John Augustine Washington III, 1845 August 19

Item — Box: 66, Folder: 1845.08.19

Identifier: 2017-SC-010-005

Staff Only

Henry P. Hill, Alexandria, to John Augustine Washington III, 19 August 1845

Scope and Contents

Letter from Alexandria slave dealer Henry P. Hill of the firm Bruin and Hill writing to John Augustine Washington III about an enslaved man named Gabriel who has escaped from Mount Vernon and is being held at Bruin's Slave Jail. Hill writes, "your man Gabriel by strict measurement is five feet five and a half inches... He is likely and a very good man of his stature and if you are offered more than we priced him at I think if you will excuse a stranger for the expression of his opinion in all candour, that you will certainly do well to take the offer." Hill says he is willing to arrange a sale or exchage with Washington, adding that there are only sixteen men at the jail at the time, but he expects "Sir Bruin may send in or bring others when he comes."

Dates

Creation: 1845 August 19

Creator

Hill, Henry P., active 1843-1845 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research during scheduled appointments. Researchers must complete the Washington Library’s Special Collections and Archives Registration Form before access is provided. The library reserves the right to restrict access to certain items for preservation purposes.