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THBExtremely Early Williamsburg Slavery Document Signed by Lieutenant-Governor of Virginia Francis Fauquier, 1766
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About Auction
LiveSep 8, 2017 - Sep 9, 2017
Cowan's Auctions dawnie@cowans.com
View Full Catalog (427)
- Lot Description
Fauquier, Francis (1703-1768). Lieutenant Governor of Virginia Colony and Acting Governor (1758-1768). Noted friend of Thomas Jefferson. Partially printed DS, 1p, 13 x 15 in., Williamsburg, VA. April 10, 1766. Original wax and paper seal attached to ribbon at bottom. Made out to John Hutchings, William Joy, George Neal, James Webb, William Atchison, Matthew Godfrey, John Tatem, John Hutchings, Junr., Thomas Neal, Maximilian Calvert, Joseph Hutchings, John Portlock, Cornelius Calvert, and Samuel Happer of Norfolk County, empowering them as Justices of the Peace in administering "an Act directing the Trial of Slaves committing Capital Crimes, and for the more effectual punishing Conspiracies and Insurrections of them, and for the better Government of Negroes, Mullatoes, and Indians, bond or Free." Docket on verso "Commission for the Trial of Ned belonging to John Riddell."
Born in London, Francis Fauquier's French father had relocated to England to work with Sir Isaac Newton, so he was raised in the most forward-thinking circles of the day. When he came to Virginia to replace Robert Dinwiddie, he hosted parties attended by College of William and Mary students such as Thomas Jefferson, who later became a friend. Fauquier was one of the best liked colonial governors in the days leading up to the Revolution, although he remained loyal to the crown even as the situation was heating up in the colonies. He was sympathetic to the colonists, and tried to mediate with the Crown whenever possible.
Fauquier found slavery distasteful, but necessary to maintaining his estate. In his will, he did not free them, but mandated that his slaves be allowed to choose their next master, and prohibited children and their mothers from being separated.
Condition
Nearly separated at horizontal fold. Stains from contact with seal, plus a small water stain. Surface soil along folds.
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