Neither George Washington or Thomas Jefferson went to war to protect the Peculiar Institution.
A Rebel Governor of Virginia wrote to the Virginian General commanding the Rebel Army. The Governor complained that his slaves were being freed by the Union army as it passed through Virginia, and he wanted the General to do something to stop it.
The Rebel Governor was Jefferson, the General was Washington. The Union was the United Kingdom, fighting the traitors waging a war of secession against the legitimate government.
“Neither George Washington or Thomas Jefferson went to war to protect the Peculiar Institution.”
Dunmore’s Proclamation of November 7, 1775. Dunmore was the Royal Governor of Virginia.
Dunmore’s Proclamation is but one of the two emancipation decrees proclaimed by the Union government during the war of secession.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunmore%27s_Proclamation
“In the official document, he declared martial law and adjudged all patriots as traitors to the crown. Furthermore, the document declared ‘all indentured servants, Negroes, or others...free that are able and willing to bear arms...’ “
In 1779 the Union government issued its second Emancipation Proclamation, the Philipsburg Proclamation.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philipsburg_Proclamation
“The proclamation extended the scope of Dunmore’s Proclamation, issued four years earlier by Virginia’s last Royal governor, Lord Dunmore, granting freedom to slaves in Virginia willing to serve the Royal forces. The new document, issued from Clinton’s temporary headquarters at the Philipsburg Manor House in Westchester County, New York, proclaimed all slaves in the newly established United States belonging to American Patriots free, regardless of their willingness to fight for the Crown. It further promised protection, freedom and land to any slaves who left their master.”