George Washington accepts surrender of Lord Cornwallis, which leads to victory in Revolutionary War, today 1781: pic.twitter.com/n71RpKXtdb
— Michael Beschloss (@BeschlossDC) October 19, 2025
That was the original No Kings Day, which was nice.
But then on 25 October, General Washington issued this order:
There are a number of Slaves belonging to the Citizens of the United States in and about York & Gloucester which will be lost to the Owners if not immediately secured.
Some of those slaves have imposed upon the American and French Army by Passing them selves as free people.
I am told there are some instances of sales being made of Slaves for a mere triffle, just to put it in their power to say here after that they have purchased the Slave & paid a valuable consideration.
There are Several Slaves on board of the Ships in the harbour, as well those captured as the French Ships of War.
The British Officers have also a number of those people at their Quarters.
By a little trouble & exertion at present a valuable property may be recovered to the citizens of those States and more especially the unfortunate people of So. Carolina and Georgia.
I Beg leave to prepose—That a Gaurd may be appointed at one of the Redoubts at York & another at Gloucester to recover & Secure all Slaves that may be sent to them. That proper person be appointed to receive all Slaves that Shall be sent to these Redoubts and dismiss them to their Masters with Passes—That the Slaves belonging to the other States & not claimed now by the Owners or some of their friends shall be taken care of as before proposed and advertized in the States they belong to—Some provisions will be wanted for these people untill they are sent of....
Recall that in 1775, Thomas Paine entreated Americans to consider:
With what consistency, or decency they complain so loudly of attempts to enslave them, while they hold so many hundred thousands in slavery; and annually enslave many thousands more, without any pretense of authority, or claim upon them?
And here we are 250 years later, still struggling with the same hypocrisy.
Selah.
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