I don't know if he did or didn't. My point is that George Washington--a towering collossus--did in fact free his. That puts him--as if there were any question--in much better standing on the question than, say, Thomas Jefferson, who pawned his off to cover debts, or Robert E. Lee, who chose to fight against the USA in defense of an illegal confederation predicated on the perpetutation of slavery. But heck, we all make mistakes. As you judge others, as the saying goes. I am sure General Lee was in many ways a great man. I wish him the best. I'd rather have my troop named after General Washington.