[DiogenesLamp]

Thomas Jefferson was an abolitionist.

In theory. In practice, he was not.

[BroJoeK]

ProgressingAmerica: "Thomas Jefferson was an abolitionist."

DiogenesLamp: "In theory. In practice, he was not."

Certainly, by 1860 standards, Jefferson was a radical abolitionist because he:

1. Railed against slavery in the Declaration of Independence.

2. Supported abolition in the Northwest Territories.

3. Supported abolition of imports of new slaves.

4. Proposed a national plan for gradual abolition, with compensation for slaveholders.

But abolition was not Jefferson's first priority and he was known after 1801 as the first "Negro President", because his narrow defeat of John Adams resulted from the Constitution's 3/5 rule for counting slaves in representation of slave-states.

Like nearly all of our Founders, Jefferson considered slavery a necessary evil which should be eventually abolished -- gradually, peacefully and with compensation for slaveholders.

That idea was still very much alive when Jefferson died in 1825, but within just a few years after -- by the 1830s -- had been entirely abandoned by most Southerners.

[ProgressingAmerica]

I excitedly await your response to Jefferson’s deal with James Lemen.

Thank you.

[ProgressingAmerica]

Earlier, I made the comment (copied and pasted into the bottom for convenience.) regarding Jefferson’s well-documented life.

In addition to your in-depth out response regarding Lemen, could you please provide:

1) Any evidence of Jefferson’s (as a legislator in the Burgesses) passionate fight IN FAVOR OF the dominance of slavery.
2) Any evidence of Jefferson’s (as Virginia Governor) passionate fight IN FAVOR OF the dominance of slavery.
3) Any evidence of Jefferson’s (as POTUS) passionate fight IN FAVOR OF the dominance of slavery.
4) Any evidence of Jefferson’s (as any other role; negotiator, advisor, activist, author) passionate fight IN FAVOR OF the dominance of slavery.

What were Jefferson’s thought provoking words promoting the goodness of the institution of slavery as important for the future of the United States? and why the legislation would preserve it?

Any 1 of 4 would be sufficient. I’m just asking for any legislative evidence, of any kind. Decades in public life.

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(previous comment)
Early years as a legislator. Anti slavery
Declaration author. Anti slavery (even if, by the hands of others, it is removed. HE, Jefferson, did his job. Consistently)
Years as a governor. Anti slavery
Years as president. Anti slavery

Years in between as negotiator, advisor, activist, author, and other scenarios:

Anti slavery.