Mr. Lee

[Rick Smith]

It is true that the slaves freed by General Lee were not his own property, but his father-in-law's.

I do not pretend to know the laws of Virginia property rights in 1859, but certainly, Lee felt the moral responsibility to do what was right in the circumstances, not only under the terms of his father-in-law's will, but to do the best he could for the slaves under his authority until manumission could be achieved.

The point is that Lee set about educating, at least to some extent, the slaves in his care, regardless of the laws of the State of Virginia, which forbade the education of slaves. He somehow skirted the law and did give some learning to his slaves so that they would at least have some small advantage in their new estate.

General Lee's attitude regarding slaves was much more charitable than Mr. Lincoln's.

Lincoln was a consummate politician, so this may have some bearing on his attitudes and actions.