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