澳门六合彩开奖直播

I barely hinted to you my dearest Father my desire to augment the Continental Forces from an untried Source鈥擨 wish I had any foundation to ask for an extraordinary addition to those favors which I have already received from you I would sollicit you to cede me a number of your able bodied men Slaves, instead of leaving me a fortune鈥擨 would bring about a twofold good, first I would advance those who are unjustly deprived of the Rights of Mankind to a State which would be a proper Gradation between abject Slavery and perfect Liberty鈥攁nd besides I would reinforce the Defenders of Liberty with a number of gallant Soldiers鈥擬en who have the habit of Subordination almost indelibly impress鈥檇 on them, would have one very essential qualification of Soldiers鈥擨 am persuaded that if I could obtain authority for the purpose I would have a Corps of such men trained, uniformly clad, equip鈥檇 and ready in every respect to act at the opening of the next Campaign鈥擳he Ridicule that may be thrown on the Colour I despise, because I am sure of rendering essential Service to my Country鈥擨 am tired of the Languor with which so sacred a War as this, is carried on鈥攎y circumstances prevent me from writing so long a Letter as I expected and wish鈥檇 to have done on a subject which I have much at heart鈥擨 entreat you to give a favorable Answer to

Headquarters, Valley Forge,
February 2, 1778

My dear Father.
The more I reflect upon the difficulties and delays which are likely to attend the completing our Continental Regiments鈥攖he more anxiously is my mind bent upon the Scheme which I lately, communicated to you鈥攖he obstacles to the execution of it had presented themselves to me, but by no means appeared insurmountable鈥擨 was aware of having that monster popular Prejudice open-mouthed against me鈥攐f undertaking to transform beings almost irrational into well disciplined Soldiers鈥攐f being obliged to combat the arguments and perhaps the intrigues of interested persons鈥攂ut zeal for the public Service and an ardent desire to assert the rights of humanity determined me to engage in this arduous business, with the sanction of your Consent鈥攎y own perseverance aided by the Countenance of a few virtuous men will I hope enable me to accomplish it鈥�

You seem to think my dear Father, that men reconciled by long habit to the miseries of their Condition, would prefer their ignominious bonds to the untasted Sweets of Liberty, especially when offer鈥檇 upon the terms which I propose鈥擨 confess indeed that, the minds of this unhappy species must be debased by a Servitude from which they can hope for no Relief but Death鈥攁nd that every motive to action but Fear, must be nearly extinguished in them鈥攂ut do you think they are so perfectly moulded to their State as to be insensible that a better exists鈥攚ill the galling comparison between themselves and their masters leave them unenlighten鈥檇 in this respect鈥攃an their Self-Love be so totally annihilated as not frequently to induce ardent wishes for a change鈥�

You will accuse me perhaps my dearest friend of consulting my own feelings too much but I am tempted to believe that this trampled people have so much human left in them, is to be capable of aspiring to the rights of men by noble exertions if some friend to mankind would point the Road, and give them a prospect of Success-If I am mistaken in this, I would avail myself even of their weakness, and conquering one fear by another, produce equal good to the Public鈥擸ou will ask in this view how do you consult the benefit of the Slaves鈥擨 answer that like other men, they are the Creatures of habit, their Cowardly Ideas will be gradually effaced, and they will be modified anew鈥攖heir being rescued from a State of perpetual humiliation鈥攁nd being advanced as it were in die Scale of being will compensate the dangers incident to their new State 鈥攖he hope that will spring in each mans mind respecting his own escape鈥攚ill prevent his being miserable鈥攖hose who fall in battle will not lose much-those who survive will obtain their Reward鈥�

Habits of Subordination鈥擯atience under fatigues, Sufferings and Privations of every kind鈥攁re soldierly qualifications which these men possess in an eminent degree.

Upon the whole my dearest friend and father, I hope that my plan for serving my Country and the oppressed Negro-race will not appear to you the Chimara of a young mind deceived by a false appearance of moral beauty鈥攂ut a laudable sacrifice of private Interest to Justice and the Public good鈥�

You say that my own resources would be small, on account of the proportion of women and children鈥擨 do not know whether I am right for I speak from impulse and have not reasoned upon the matter鈥擨 say Altho my plan is at once to give freedom to the Negroes and gain Soldiers to the States;鈥攊n case of concurrence I shd: sacrifice the former interest, and therefore wd. change the Women and Children for able bodied men鈥攖he more of these I could obtain the better but 4o might be a good foundation to begin upon鈥�

It is a pity that some such plan as I propose could not be more extensively executed by public Authority鈥攁 well chosen body of 5000 black men properly officer鈥檇 to act as light Troops in addition to our present establishment, might give us decisive Success in the next Campaign鈥�

I have long deplored the wretched State of these men and considered in their history, the bloody wars excited in Africa to furnish America with Slaves鈥攖he Groans of despairing multitudes toiling for the Luxuries of Merciless Tyrants鈥擨 have had the pleasure of conversing with you sometimes upon the means of restoring them to their rights鈥擶hen can it be better done, than when their enfranchisement may be made conducive to the Public Good, and be so modified as not to overpower their weak minds鈥�

You ask what is the General鈥檚 opinion upon this subject鈥攈e is convinced that the numerous tribes of blacks in the Southern parts of the Continent offer a resource to us that should not be neglected鈥攚ith respect to my particular Plan, he only objects to it with the arguments of Pity, for a man who would be less rich than he might be鈥�

I am obliged my dearest Friend and Father to take my leave for the present, you will excuse whatever exceptionable may have escaped in the course of my Letter鈥攁nd accept the assurances of filial Love and Respect of