n owners regarding the welfare of his slaves, it was due to his interest in their contribution to the economic survival of the plantation. Throughout Washington's life his main concerns were first the economic welfare of his plantations and second the welfare of his slaves. In a letter to Lund Washington (his son) he tells him that he needs to cut costs on the plantation. He suggested that Lund to buy cheaper "linnen" for the "Negroes" without making "the poor Negroes suffer too much (Washington's Writing p.259) in another letter to Lund he writes tell him that he does not approve of selling slaves that are married with children. Washington felt that it was not right to separate families. He goes on to state, "if these poor wretches are to be held in a state of slavery, I do not see that a change of masters will render it more irksome (W.W p. 335)." This is the first statement that I found in which Washington actually show compassion for his slaves who are bond in slavery. Virginia did not recognize slave marriages, but George Washingt
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