[syriacus]

I hope the Liberty Bell writeup on Slavery includes a copy of George Washington's will, in which he stipulates his slaves should be freed after Martha's death.

Some books say that when Washington headed back to Mount Vernon, he deliberately left his slaves ('forgot them') in Philadelphia, so they would be free. If this is true, it should be mentioned.

[lawdude]

"If this is true, it should be mentioned."

It won't be!

[Huck]

Not so long ago I saw a reproduction of classified ads for slaves in a paper run by Ben Franklin (I forget the name of the paper). It was real brutal. "Young wenches" that would be "good breeders." When you see it in print, it's stark. And Franklin was anti-slavery. He formed one of the very earliest American abolitionist organizations. Those were the times.

I visited Philadelphia just a few months ago and took the tour of Independence Hall and visited Christ Church, sat in George Washington's pew, visited Ben Franklin's grave. The Park Service did a great job with the tour. Plenty of information, respectfully and fairly presented. I had a great time. I hope they do as good a job with this subject. It seems to me they are right to work it into the presentation. The key is to do a good job of it. Here's wishing them luck on their task.

PS-Mt. Vernon is next on my list of historical places to visit. Then Monticello. Then Montepelier. Then Quincy, Mass. etc etc etc. (if I live long enough--Lord willing)