Upon a recent visit to the tomb of Washington, I was much gratified
by the alterations and improvements around it. Eleven colored men
were industriously employed in leveling the earth and turf around
the sepulchre. There was an earnest expression of feeling about them
that induced me to inquire if they belonged to the respected lady of
the mansion. They stated they were a few of the many Slaves freed by
George Washington and they had offered their services upon this last
melancholy occasion, as the only return in their power to make to the
remains of the man who had been more than a father to them; and they
should continue their labors as long as anything should be pointed out
for them to do. I was so interested in this conduct that I inquired
their several names, and the following were given me:
"Joseph Smith, Sambo Anderson, William Anderson, his son, Berkley
Clark, George Lear, Dick Jasper, Morris Jasper, Levi Richardson, Joe
Richardson, William Moss, William Hays and Nancy Squander, cooking for
the men--Fairfax County, Va., Nov. 14, 1835."