The handwritten words of a former Virginia slave splashed across the screen at the Lyceum Tuesday night, part of a presentation by Pulitzer-prize winning historian Alan Taylor's War of 1812 Bicentennial Lecture. Taylor was explaining the research behind his new book, "The Internal Enemy: Slavery and War in Virginia, 1772-1832." The former slave was writing the man who was once his master, a man who later presented the letter to a claims commission after the War of 1812.
"You treated me very ill," wrote the slave, who was now living in Nova Scotia. "For this reason, I take the liberty of informing you that I am doing just as well as you if not better."
Taylor, a historian specializing in early American history, described the document as "the most extraordinary letter" he has ever come across in his research. Because the British had liberated so many slaves during the war, the American government set up a claims commission to reimburse slaveowners after the war. If not for the commission, Taylor noted, these kinds of "in-your-face" letters would not have survived.
"He showed more greed than pride in saving the letter," said Taylor. "But we are fortunate that he did."
The War of 1812 Bicentennial Lecture was one of several events planned this year to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the British invasion of Washington, D.C.