Thomas Jefferson Abolishment Of Slavery Analysis

Years after writing the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson still appeared to be determined in his quest for the abolishment of slavery in the United States. As governor of Virginia in 1779, he took steps toward what he called the “Final Eradication” of slavery. He proposed a bill that would “Emancipate all slaves born after passing the act”, but it was ultimately voted down in the state legislature. (Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia; Query 14 The Administration of Justice and Description of the Laws, P. 228, 1794) The piling amount of failures in his efforts to end slavery were beginning to take a toll on Jefferson. In personal correspondence with close friends, he revealed his discouragement in failing to make any real and lasting …show more content…
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