To hand right respect
To the negroes—
To Father death.
Do not come for them.
This is our opinion—
As they are given
By the will, the word.
All negroes considered Debts,
Parts which we are entitled to.
A sort of epidemical cold
Has seized every business &
Establishment our health afflicted,
We have recovered,
The incision made
By this impost-
Hume has been cured.
Join us in every good.‡
‡ Letter from George Washington to Betty Washington Lewis, October 12, 1789. National Archives.