George Washington's Views on Slavery In his writings, George Washington felt strongly that slavery was an institution that needed to be eliminated from American society. However, there were several circumstances that arose following the American Revolution that would prevent Washington from actively pursuing the elimination of slavery during his lifetime. It is certainly plausible that George Washington's personal economic shortcomings, foregrounded in the context of the nation's competing political agendas and revolutionary climate, prevented this Founding Father from actively pursuing the national emancipation of slaves. Before and during the American Revolution, little was written by Washington about his interests. feelings about slavery. In the last year of the war and thereafter, Washington paid more attention to the issue of slavery. On February 5, 1783, Washington received a letter from the Marquis de Lafayette, whom Washington considered both a friend and a son, which stated: "Let us unite in the purchase of a small estate, where we may try the experiment in freeing the negroes, and use them only as tenants. Example like yours might make it a general practice..." (Sparks v.3, p.547). It is doubtful that Lafayette would have proposed this idea if he had not known that Washington had strong opinions about eliminating slavery. Washington wrote to Lafayette on April 5: "The plan... to encourage the emancipation of the negroes of this country from the state of slavery in which they are held, is a striking proof of the benevolence of your Heart. I will be happy to join you is a 'so praiseworthy work..." (Fitzpatrick v.26, p.300). Unfortunately, Washington was still in the cha...... middle of paper ......nian in the late 18th century, Washington was truly enlightened about his view of slavery. It is a shame that more South Americans did not follow Washington's lead, for this issue of slavery would have cost us many American lives in another sixty years, and would have nearly destroyed the nation that George Washington had worked so hard to build . Works CitedCarroll, J.A., and M.W. Ashworth. George Washington: A Biography. vol. 7.New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1957. 7 vols.Fitzpatrick, John C., ed. The Writings of George Washington. 39 vols.Washington: United States Government Printing Office, 1933.Freeman, Douglass S. George Washington: A Biography. vol. 6. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1955. 7 vols.Sparks, Jared. Correspondence of the American Revolution, Letters to Washington. 4 vols. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1853.