Letter, Richard Peters to Bushrod Washington, 1822 May 24
Scope and Contents
A.L.S. 2 pages. Belmont. Discussion of slavery: "Some Legalized Kidnappers might be usefully employed in scouring our State of all your fugitive slaves; and if you could colonize all the sooty race, nothing better could be done." Peters is angered at the abolitionists, those "antiflagellating benevolents". Finally, Peters hopes Washington regains his health, "so that you may be strong, and work hard on your colonization Scheme; so that all [the slaves] may be returned to the happy regions of their forefathers..." Mentions Bushrod's "malady," lamenting that "your appetite was often your worst enemy; and its indulgence in improper gratifications has often nourished, in place of destroying your disease... I once knew a hardy Scotchman killed, when convalescent and recovering from a bilious complaint, by gratifying his appetitite in the treat of a boiled scotch herring." Autograph letter signed, integral cover, docketed.
Dates
- 1822 May 24
Creator
- Peters, Richard, 1744-1828 (Person)
- Washington, Bushrod, 1762-1829 (Recipient, 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.
Extent
From the Collection: approx. 60 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
From the Box: English
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections at The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon Repository
PO Box 3600
Mount Vernon VA 22121
703-799-3600