On March 14, 1779, Alexander Hamilton wrote this letter to John Jay regarding the recruitment
of black soldiers. Hamilton expressed his opinion that former slaves might prove even better
soldiers than the whites. Unlike many of his contemporaries, he rejected prejudices about the
natural abilities of African-Americans and attributed any of their deficiencies to their social
condition as slaves. As you read the letter, consider why Hamilton advocated giving the slaves
"their freedom with their muskets" and what effect he thought this would have on slaves
throughout the South. How did he propose to overcome the objections of slaveowners? Why was
his plan rejected by congress?
Col Laurens, who will have the honor of delivering you this letter, is on his way to South
Carolina, on a project, which I think, in the present situation of affairs there, is a very good one
and deserves every kind of support and encouragement. This is to raise two three or four
batalions of negroes; with the assistance of the government of that state, by contributions from
the owners in proportion to the number they possess. If you should think proper to enter upon the
subject with him, he will give you a detail of his plan. He wishes to have it recommended by
Congress to the state; and, as an inducement, that they would engage to take those batalions into
Continental pay.
It appears to me, that an expedient of this kind, in the present state of Southern affairs, is the
most rational, that can be adopted, and promises very important advantages. Indeed, I hardly see
how a sufficient force can be collected in that quarter without it; and the enemy's operations there
are growing infinitely serious and formidable. I have not the least doubt, that the negroes will
make very excellent soldiers, with proper management; and I will venture to pronounce, that they
cannot be put in better hands than those of Mr. Laurens. He has all the zeal, intelligence,
enterprise, and every other qualification requisite to succeed in such an undertaking. It is a
maxim with some great military judges, that with sensible officers soldiers can hardly be too
stupid; and on this principle it is thought that the Russians would make the best troops in the
world, if they were under other officers than their own. The King of Prussia is among the number
who maintain this doctrine and has a very emphatical saying on the occasion, which I do not
exactly recollect. I mention this, because I frequently hear it objected to the scheme of
embodying negroes that they are too stupid to make soldiers. This is so far from appearing to me
a valid objection that I think their want of cultivation (for their natural faculties are probably as
good as ours) joined to that habit of subordination which they acquire from a life of servitude,
will make them sooner bec[o]me soldiers than our White inhabitants. Let officers be men of
sense and sentiment, and the nearer the soldiers approach to machines perhaps the better.
I foresee that this project will have to combat much opposition from prejudice and self-interest.
The contempt we have been taught to entertain for the blacks, makes us fancy many things that
are founded neither in reason nor experience; and an unwillingness to part with property of so
valuable a kind will furnish a thousand arguments to show the impracticability or pernicious Â
tendency of a scheme which requires such a sacrifice. But it should be considered, that if we do
not make use of them in this way, the enemy probably will; and that the best way to counteract
the temptations they will hold out will be to offer them ourselves. An essential part of the plan is
to give them their freedom with their muskets. This will secure their fidelity, animate their
courage, and I believe will have a good influence upon those who remain, by opening a door to
their emancipation. This circumstance, I confess, has no small weight in inducing me to wish the
success of the project; for the dictates of humanity and true policy equally interest me in favour
of this unfortunate class of men
Explanation:
