During the Revolution an American officer was foraging in Virginia for horses. He saw a slave plowing with a fine team in a field and told him he'd have to have those horses. The slave referred him to his mistress. The office went to the plantation house and was greeted by a majestic looking woman.
'Madam,' he said, impressed by her dignity, 'I have come to claim your horses in the name of the government.'
'Sir,' said she, 'you cannot have them. My crops are planted and I need the horses in the fields.'
'I am sorry,' said the officer, 'but I must have them, madam. Those are my orders from my chief.'
'And who is your chief, pray?' she demanded.
'The commander of the American army, General George Washington,' he said proudly.
A smile softened the sterness of the woman's features.
'You go back and tell General George Washington for me,' she said, 'that his mother says he cannot have her horses.'
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