Was it Martha Washington that suggested freeing black slaves and paying them for service to George Washington?

Question

On Jan 12, 1777 he allowed black slaves and free blacks to join the continental army. But does anyone know who gave him the idea? Was it his wife Martha?

Answer 1

the british were allowing africans/blacks to join their army with the promise of freedom. So he did the same to increase the us fighting forces.

Answer 2

No it was His Idea Martha didn't know how he felt about slaves until after he was dead. George was the only founding father who ever really believed that all men meant blacks also and set his slaves free.

Martha believed that slaves were lesser beings.