”That Children and Apprentices were disobedient—that schools and Colledges were grown turbulent—that Indians slighted their Guardians and Negroes grew insolent to their Masters.
”But your Letter was the first Intimation that another Tribe more numerous and powerfull than all the rest were grown discontented. Depend upon it, We know better than to repeal our Masculine systems. Altho they are in full Force, you know they are little more than Theory.
”We dare not exert our Power in its full Latitude….In Practice you know We are the subjects. We have only the Name of Masters, and rather than give up this, which would compleatly subject Us to the Despotism of the Peticoat, I hope General Washington, and all our brave Heroes would fight.”