On a subject so slippery as Thomas Jefferson and slavery, it is more
than ordinarily important to begin with accurate information. You can't
possibly reason to a correct or defensible conclusion from a false
starting place.
 
During the first 33 years of Thomas Jefferson's life it was not possible
to free an enslaved person without the personal approval of the royal
governor or lieutenant governor. That ended in July 1776. During more
than half of Jefferson's life he could have freed any or all of his
slaves if he wanted to badly enough. That he let some of Sally Hemings'
children escape into freedom or live as if free, which was virtually
unique for his enslaved property, suggests that there was certainly
something special about those children insofar as Jefferson was
concerned. He let her live as if free after he died, too.
 
If Jefferson had freed his slaves between the American Revolution and
his death, it is true, he would have impoverished his family; but he did
that, anyway, didn't he.
 
Brent Tarter
The Library of Virginia
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Please visit the Library of Virginia's Web site at
http://www.lva.virginia.gov
 

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