Letter 13, 1774-10-03

File — Box: 1, Folder: 13

Letter 13

Scope and Contents

Letter from Mosley to Mrs. Dunn, his sister, October 3, 1774. Discusses the Suppression of the Jesuits and the possible effects of the Suppression upon him. Also provides answers to several questions seemingly posed by his sister in an earlier to him; this reply includes Mosley’s assessment of enslaved individuals.

Materials on Slavery

This folder contains materials related to Jesuit slaveholding.

In answering a question that seems to have been posed by Mrs. Dunn in a letter of her own,, Mosley comments, “The Negroes that do belong to the Gentlemen of our Persuasion, and our own, are all Christians, and instructed in every Christian duty with care: some are good, some very bad, some docile, some very dull. They are naturally inclined to thieving, lying and much lechery. I believe want makes them worse thieves and liars, and the innate heat of the climate of Africa and their natural temper of constitution gives them a great bent to lechery. The Negroes of all other Persuasions are much neglected, as you imagine, and few ever christened.”

Dates

1774-10-03

Conditions Governing Access

Most manuscripts collections at the Georgetown University Booth Family Center for Special Collections are open to researchers; however, restrictions may apply to some collections. Collections stored off site require a minimum of three days for retrieval. For use of all manuscripts collections, researchers are advised to contact the Booth Family Center for Special Collections in advance of any visit.