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A letter from S. Nelson to George A. Washington

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@ Tennesse State Library and Archives

Nelson, S

Description

This is a letter signed by "S" Nelson of Henderson, Kentucky, a town on the Kentucky/Indiana border. Nelson writes that he was not adequately paid for the capture of Washington's slave who escaped to Indiana. Nelson mentions that other wealthy gentlemen have paid him between one hundred and fifty and two hundred dollars for the capture of a slave in a free state. He also mentions that if he had not captured Washington's slave, more of his slaves may have been inspired to run away. This letter could be evidence of Washington's, and the plantation's, financial struggle, or simply the greed of those who made their living capturing runaway slaves.
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Record Contributed By

Tennesse State Library and Archives

Record Harvested From

Digital Library of Tennessee