[x]

I don’t think people are saying he was an abolitionist, just that he had serious qualms about slavery.

[jeffersondem]

“I don't think people are saying he was an abolitionist, just that he had serious qualms about slavery.”

Well, it sounded like it a little bit in post 50: “At all times, Jefferson was firmly on the abolitionist/anti-slaving side.”

Acknowledged: this was not your post.

[ProgressingAmerica]

No, nor was I. But Jefferson's legislative career is strikingly if not exclusively one-sided.

"just that he had serious qualms about slavery."

I do not believe this sentiment goes far enough. Having spent decades in the public light and not once found promoting slavery legislatively is a little more than "serious qualms".

George Washington had serious qualms about it. He did far less than Jefferson did.