[woodpusher]

some Southern expressions of opposition to slavery by politicians like Jefferson, Madison, Washington & Patrick Henry may not have been 100% sincere

Which slave-owning Founder opposed slavery so much as to manumit his own slaves?

Did Jefferson manumit his slave Jupiter, who tended to him while Jefferson wrote about all men being created equal?

[jeffersondem]

“which slave-owning Founder opposed slavery so much as to manumit his own slaves?”

I can see Brother Joe struggling - he usually does - so I'm going to help him.

I think Ben Franklin freed a slave or two toward the end of his life and, even began to advocate abolition.

There may have been others I don't know about but I tend to think among the founders that owned slaves, becoming an abolitionist was an exception, not the rule.