He was much addicted to drink and now and then, alas, had attacks in which he saw things that were not.

On such occasions it was customary to send for another mulatto named Westford, who would relieve him by letting a little blood.

There came a day when Westford arrived and proceeded to perform his customary office, but the blood refused to flow.

Billy was dead.
Washington's kindness to Billy was more or less paralleled by his treatment of other servants.

Even when President he would write letters for his slaves to their wives and "Tel Bosos" and would inclose them with his own letters to Mount Vernon.