Mr. Dixon, A very interesting query. I don't have a ready answer; but there is a well documented case you might look at--the case of Thomas Howell, an indentured servant, whom TJ himself represented. Howell was indentured because he had one black ancestor, a situation TJ thought to be "wicked." TJ strove to get the man out of his indenture and into legal whiteness. You can read the arguments at http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/jefferson/images/vc36p1.jpg Also see Paul Finkelman, __Slavery and the Founders: Race and Liberty in the age of Jefferson__ HW To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html