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Primary sourceLetter20 March 1779

To Henry Laurens, 20 March 1779

George Washington · 20 March 1779

A letter in which Washington discusses the controversial idea of arming enslaved men for the Continental Army.

Washington's own letter showing his reasoning as both general and slaveholder about arming enslaved men.

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Source: Internet Archive

About this source

What it is

Written by George Washington on 20 March 1779 to Henry Laurens, president of the Continental Congress, this letter is preserved in the published collection of Washington's writings taken from his original manuscripts.

Why it matters

The letter discusses military intelligence and campaign news, but also addresses a proposal to form battalions of enslaved men to fight for the American cause. Washington expresses hesitation, reasoning about the risks of the British copying the policy and about the effects on those left enslaved. As a slaveholder himself, his words show the contradictions at the heart of the Revolutionary cause he led.

Look closer

  • What reasons does Washington give for hesitating to arm enslaved men?
  • How does his language reveal that he saw enslaved people as property and as potential soldiers at the same time?
  • What does this letter suggest about the limits of 'liberty' during the Revolution?

This letter is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of George Washington on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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