George Washington to Robert Morris (April 12 1786)
I hope that it will not be conceived from these observations, that it is my wish to hold the unhappy people who are the subject of this letter in slavery. I can only say that there is not a man living who wishes more sincerely than I do, to see a plan adopted for the abolition of it [slavery]–but there is only one proper and effectual mode by which it can be accomplished, & that is by Legislative authority;
