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Discussion of research and writing about Virginia history <[log in to unmask]>
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Tue, 4 Nov 2008 19:19:00 -0500
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Discussion of research and writing about Virginia history <[log in to unmask]>
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Laura Fortune <[log in to unmask]>
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Amen.

Laura Catherine Dawson

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, November 01, 2008 7:01 PM
Subject: Re: Barger and Barger, Jefferson family of Virginia


>I rarely find myself in unequivocal agreement with Mr. South.  But his 
>remarks below strike me as sensible.  Barring the emergence of new 
>evidence, we can not know for certain whether Jefferson did or did not have 
>children by Sally Hemings.
>
> Having reviewed the evidence, assisted by a number of fair-minded and 
> constructive folk here, I find myself compelled to change my mind.  Where 
> once I thought that we could fairly say that it was likely, but not 
> certain, that Jefferson was the father of some of Heming's children, now I 
> am convinced that we just don't know, nor do we have strong reasons to 
> believe, one way or the other.  We just don't know.  All the evidence we 
> have is flawed and partial.
>
> But suppose we did know.  What difference would it make for the way we 
> commemorate him in our public history?  We honor Jefferson for a variety 
> of reasons, but primarily because he was one of the men who articulated 
> the fundamental public principles and values upon which our public life 
> today is premised.  Suppose he fathered children by Hemings?  How would 
> that change the fact that Jefferson was one of the more important men who 
> helped found our country?  Suppose he did not father children by Hemings. 
> How would that make his contribution to our country any more (or less) 
> worthy?
>
> We value Jefferson for his public contributions.  He could have had the 
> private life of James Henry Hammond, or Jean Jacques Rousseau (two men who 
> were far more thuggish, barbaric, irresponsible, and just plain vile than 
> anyone on either side of this debate alleges Jefferson to have been), and 
> he would still command our respect and attention.
>
> So Mr. South is correct.  What difference does it make?  And if in fact it 
> does not make any difference, why are we spending so much time talking 
> about this?
>
> All best,
> Kevin
>

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