George Washington: “there is not a man living who wishes more sincerely than I do, to see a plan adopted for the abolition of it.”
John Adams: “Every measure of prudence, therefore, ought to be assumed for the eventual total extirpation of slavery from the United States…. I have, through my whole life, held the practice of slavery in …abhorrence.”
Benjamin Franklin: “Slavery is …an atrocious debasement of human nature.”
James Madison: “We have seen the mere distinction of colour made in the most enlightened period of time, a ground of the most oppressive dominion ever exercised by man over man.”
“It is much to be wished that slavery may be abolished. The honour
of the States, as well as justice and humanity, in my opinion,
loudly call upon them to emancipate these unhappy people.
To contend for our own liberty, and to deny that blessing to
others, involves an inconsistency not to be excused.” —John Jay
“[Y]our late purchase of an estate in the colony of Cayenne, with
a view to emancipating the slaves on it, is a generous and noble
proof of your humanity. Would to God a like spirit would diffuse
itself generally into the minds of the people of this country;
but I despair of seeing it.” —George Washington
I think that flowerplough may have left the site after Jim Thompson told him/her what for.
bump