What did the Founding Fathers say about slavery?
Read and Evaluate the Quotes What did the Founding Fathers mean when they said or wrote the quotes in this presentation? What did the Founding Fathers mean when they said or wrote the quotes in this presentation? How did that influence the laws and government they created? (or did it?) How did that influence the laws and government they created? (or did it?)
Thomas Jefferson He [King George III] has waged cruel war against human nature itself, violating its most sacred rights of life and liberty in the persons of a distant people who never offended him, captivating and carrying them into slavery in another hemisphere or to incur miserable death in their transportation thither.... Determined to keep open a market where men should be bought and sold, he has prostituted his negative for suppressing every legislative attempt to prohibit or to restrain this execrable commerce [that is, he has opposed efforts to prohibit the slave trade]. ~ Original Draft of the Constitution
George Washington I can only say that there is not a man living who wishes more sincerely than I do to see a plan adopted for the abolition of it [slavery]; but there is only one proper and effectual mode by which it can be accomplished, and that is by Legislative authority; and this, as far as my suffrage [vote and support] will go, shall never be wanting [lacking]. I can only say that there is not a man living who wishes more sincerely than I do to see a plan adopted for the abolition of it [slavery]; but there is only one proper and effectual mode by which it can be accomplished, and that is by Legislative authority; and this, as far as my suffrage [vote and support] will go, shall never be wanting [lacking].
George Washington Resolved, that it is the opinion of this meeting that during our present difficulties and distress, no slaves ought to be imported into any of the British colonies on this continent; and we take this opportunity of declaring our most earnest wishes to see an entire stop for ever put to such a wicked, cruel, and unnatural trade. Resolved, that it is the opinion of this meeting that during our present difficulties and distress, no slaves ought to be imported into any of the British colonies on this continent; and we take this opportunity of declaring our most earnest wishes to see an entire stop for ever put to such a wicked, cruel, and unnatural trade.
John Jay Prior to the great Revolution, the great majority... of our people had been so long accustomed to the practice and convenience of having slaves that very few among them even doubted the propriety and rectitude of it Prior to the great Revolution, the great majority... of our people had been so long accustomed to the practice and convenience of having slaves that very few among them even doubted the propriety and rectitude of it
Henry Laurens I abhor slavery. I was born in a country where slavery had been established by British Kings and Parliaments as well as by the laws of the country ages before my existence.... In former days there was no combating the prejudices of men supported by interest; the day, I hope, is approaching when, from principles of gratitude as well as justice, every man will strive to be foremost in showing his readiness to comply with the Golden Rule ["do unto others as you would have them do unto you"]. I abhor slavery. I was born in a country where slavery had been established by British Kings and Parliaments as well as by the laws of the country ages before my existence.... In former days there was no combating the prejudices of men supported by interest; the day, I hope, is approaching when, from principles of gratitude as well as justice, every man will strive to be foremost in showing his readiness to comply with the Golden Rule ["do unto others as you would have them do unto you"].
And, a few more… [N]ever in my life did I own a slave. [N]ever in my life did I own a slave. ~ John Adams, Signer of the Declaration [W]hy keep alive the question of slavery? It is admitted by all to be a great evil. [W]hy keep alive the question of slavery? It is admitted by all to be a great evil. ~ Charles Carroll
Evaluate the Quotes What did the Founding Fathers mean when they said or wrote the quotes in this presentation? What did the Founding Fathers mean when they said or wrote the quotes in this presentation? How did that influence the laws and government they created? (or did it?) How did that influence the laws and government they created? (or did it?)