MOUNT VERNON. 
93 
■whole building, is a lawn with a grayel Walk 
round it, planted with trees, and separated by 
whose mind has dwelt with admiration upon the inestimable 
blessings of liberty, whilst approaching the residence of that 
man who has distinguished himself so gloriously in its cause. 
Happy would it have been, if the man who stood forth the 
champion of a nation contending for its freedom, and whose 
declaration to the whole world was, ‘ f That all men were 
<e created equal, and that they were endowed by their Cre- 
“ ator with certain unalienable rights, amongst the first of 
which were life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness 3’* 
happy would it have been, if this man could have been the 
first to wave all interested views, to liberate his own slaves, 
and thus convince the people he had fought for, that it was 
their duty, when they had established their own independ- 
ance, to give freedom to those whom they had themselves 
held in bondage! ! 
But material objections, we must suppose, appeared against 
such a measure, otherwise, doubtless. General Washington 
would have shewn the glorious example. Perhaps he thought 
it more for the general good, that the first step for emanci¬ 
pation of slaves should be taken by the legislative assembly3 
or perhaps there was reason to apprehend, that the enfran¬ 
chisement of his own slaves might be the cause of insurrection 
amongst others who were not liberated, a matter which could 
not but be attended with evil consequences in a country 
where the number of slaves exceeded that of freemen 3 how¬ 
ever, it does not appear that any measures have been pursued, 
either by private individuals or by the legislature in Virginia, 
for the aholition of slavery 3 neither have any steps been 
taken for the purpose iu Maryland, much less in the more 
southern states 3 but in Pennsylvania and the rest, laws have 
passed for its gradual abolition. In these states the number 
of slaves, it fe true, was very small, and the measure'w'as 
therefore easily carried into effect 3 in the others then It will 
