Back to index of Nerve 11 - Winter 2007 | Merseyside Resistance Calendar July

July 1796: Edward Rushton’s ‘Letter to Washington’ challenges the president’s owning of slaves while upholding liberty (see also 10th Jan 1791)

“For seven years you bravely fought the battles of your country, and contributed greatly to the establishment of her liberties; yet you are a slaveholder! You have been raised by your fellow-citizens to one of the most exalted situations upon earth, the first magistrate of a free people; yet you are a slaveholder! A majority of your countrymen have recently discovered that slavery is injustice, and are gradually abolishing the wrong; yet you continue to be a slaveholder! You are a firm believer, too, and your letters and speeches are replete with pious reflections on the Divine Being, Providence, &c.; yet you are a slaveholder! Oh, Washington! ages to come will read with astonishment, that the man who was foremost to wrench the rights of America from the tyrannical grasp of Britain, was among the last to relinquish his own oppressive hold of poor and unoffending Negroes.”

For the full letter see: http://www.billhunterweb.org.uk/books/forgottenhero.htm