Georgetown College increases Frank Butler's wages, June 1846

Georgetown College increases Frank Butler's wages, June 1846

Slavery; Slave hiring; Slave labor; Georgetown College; Jesuits--History--19th century

In 1843, Georgetown College hired Frank Butler, an enslaved man owned by Doctor N.W. Worthington. The following letter from 1846 records the treasurer's authorization to give Frank "the highest hire we give to our hired servants, of much more usefulness than Frank."

Georgetown University Archives

Treasurer's Letter Books, 1840-1858, Box 2, Georgetown University Archives, Booth Family Center for Special Collections, Lauinger Library, Georgetown University.

Georgetown Slavery Archive

1846-06-22

Elsa Barraza Mendoza

Georgetown University Library

PDF

English

Manuscript

GSA336

Dr N.W. Worthington                                                 Georgetown College D.C.     

District of Columbia                                                   June 22^d 1846

 

                                                Dear Sir

                                                                        In compliance with your request of a change in the hire of your servant Frank, I have communicated the two options you offered to me Saturday last, namely: seven dollars and a half a month, and to clothe him, or ten dollars a month, and you to clothe him.

            All what we can do is to give for your servant Frank the highest hire we give for our hired servants, of much more usefulness than Frank, namely, nine dollars a month, without clothing, or any other charges on his account.

            If this suits your convenience, the change in the hire will take place, on the 25^th inst. Day on which expires one month of wages.

                                                            Very respectfully yours

                                                                        Francis Vespre

                                                                                    Treas^r