Jefferson saw this journey westward as an opportunity for these new states to become a new beginning in American government and law. They would have the power to start fresh, trying out new ideas and moving on from past failures and evils. Jefferson truly believed that this was the country’s greatest opportunity to slow down, and eventually eradicate their practice of slavery. Among the many propositions included in what some referred to as the “Jefferson Ordinance” was a clause which read, “There shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in any of the said states, otherwise than in punishment of crimes , whereof the party shall have been duly convicted to have been personally guilty.” (Jefferson, Northwest Ordinance; First Draft, 1784) Jefferson anxiously awaited congress’s decision, and travelled from his home to watch the vote take place in person. Representatives from ten of the thirteen colonies showed up …show more content…
Throughout history, the title of Moses has been given to men and women who delivered people from bondage. During the American Revolution, George Washington was often referred to as a Moses, leading the American people from the bondage of England. Years later, Harriet Tubman, and escaped slave was given the title Moses because of her efforts in helping slaves escape to free states via the Underground Railroad. If these are the requisites to earn the title of Moses, Jefferson had them in spades. Moreover, there are other striking similarities between Jefferson and Moses that many others did not have. Like Moses, Jefferson sought to deliver a nation from the evils of slavery. In the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson like Moses presented to his people an eternal law which they were not yet ready to follow. And Ultimately, Jefferson was never able to see the nation he fought to deliver enter into the promised land. Jefferson’s true legacy seems to have been forgotten by too many Americans today. Not only was Jefferson an advocate for the slave community during his lifetime, his Political writings, specifically the Declaration of independence, his Anti-Slavery clause in the Northwest Ordinance, along with his lifelong commitment to fight the good fight would be the foundation upon which Abraham Lincoln and his republican party would build on to