Abigail Adams has the distinction of being the first First Lady to reside in the White House. Construction was ongoing when the Adamses moved into the place. This is an excerpt from a letter Mrs. Adams wrote to Cotton Tufts upon taking up residence in the newly opened White House.
“The effects of Slavery are visible every where; and I have amused myself from day to day in looking at the labour of 12 negroes from my window, who are employd with four small Horse Carts to remove some dirt in front of the house. the four carts are all loaded at the same time, and whilst four carry this rubish about half a mile, the remaining eight rest upon their Shovels, Two of our hardy N England men would do as much work in a day as the whole 12, but it is true Republicanism that drive the Slaves half fed, and destitute of cloathing, or fit for re, to labour, whilst the owner waches about Idle, tho his one Slave is all the property he can boast, Such is the case of many of the inhabitants of this place.”
http://m.dailykos.com/stories/1553247
Hat tip to DUer Chimichurri for finding it
http://www.democraticunderground.com/12512312210
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