What you seem to be saying, Malinda, is that the TJ's slaves paid for the
democracy we now enjoy and the Library of Congress?
Anne
At 05:29 PM 3/29/02 -0600, you wrote:
>You're being a bit harsh in your "studied" assessment.
>
>Most of the debt Thomas Jefferson was incumbered with derived from
>two sources :
>
>1) He assumed the debts of his father-in-law
>2) He spent many years focusing his attention on the development of the
>democracy we now enjoy...and giving to the American Revolution (you
>remember the Army of the Potomac don't you ?) ....rather than lavishing
>his time and money on his own estate.
>
>Oh...and all those fine books of his ? He donated them to the democracy
>for which we stand...they were the beginnings of the Library of Congress.
>
>
>~malinda
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Janet Hunter" <[log in to unmask]>
>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>Sent: Friday, March 29, 2002 4:40 PM
>Subject: Re: Why the study of Jefferson and Slavery Matters
>
>
> > Kevin and everyone,
> >
> > Last year about this time, with the release April 12, 2001 of the
> > Jefferson-Hemings Scholars Commison Report
> > (http://www.geocities.com/tjshcommission), etc., we had an extended
> > discussion of this issue, as you may recall if you were on the list.
> >
> > I apologize if this has already been pointed out, but the suggestion of
>some
> > to explain why Jefferson's seeming moral position on slavery collided with
> > his personal behaviour, might be traced to the fact that his personal
>habits
> > put new meaning to the phrase "last of the big-time spenders". The man
> > appears to have been in hock up to his ears, and his slaves were an
>important
> > part of his "moveable assets". He simply couldn't afford to free them.
> >
> > Whether or not he was aware that this was the fix/dilemma he was getting
> > himself into when he made his original comments is unknown. He, of
>course,
> > DID have a choice. He could have done the unthinkable and sold
>Monticello,
> > its contents, etc., etc. instead of keeping his slaves to be sold when he
> > died and the wolves appeared at the door.
> >
> > If this is what you meant by "weak", then you are correct. The man liked
> > fine expensive "things", books, collectibles, etc. He was human, but he I
> > believe he HAD to have realized what he was doing in terms of financial
> > irresponsibility would impact whatever his feelings were about slavery.
> > Maybe he was waiting for that $1 million book deal? $5,000 per speaking
> > engagement? <smile>
> >
> > My best regards,
> >
> > Janet (Baugh) Hunter
> >
> > To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions
> > at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html
>
>To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions
>at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html
Anne Pemberton
[log in to unmask]
http://www.erols.com/stevepem
http://www.geocities.com/apembert45
To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions
at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html
|
