How the Slaveholding Founders Really Felt About Slavery
The article explores the complex and often contradictory views of American Founders on slavery, highlighting their awareness of the moral inconsistency between advocating liberty and owning slaves. Figures like Thomas Jefferson expressed guilt and fear over the injustice of slavery, even as they participated in the system. The piece examines historical moments, such as Samuel Howell's legal case, to illustrate early challenges to enslavement within colonial legal frameworks.
- ▪The Declaration of Independence accused the British of inciting 'domestic insurrections' by offering freedom to enslaved people who joined their cause.
- ▪John Lind, a London writer, criticized American revolutionaries for hypocrisy in claiming liberty while holding slaves.
- ▪Thomas Jefferson represented Samuel Howell in a freedom case and argued against lifelong servitude despite Virginia's restrictive laws.
- ▪Jefferson believed that enslaved people were justified in rebelling against their oppressors and feared divine retribution for slavery.
- ▪The article emphasizes that many Founders were aware of the moral contradiction in supporting liberty while maintaining slavery.
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America 250 How the Slaveholding Founders Really Felt About Slavery Angst, guilt, and more self-awareness than you might expect Timothy Sandefur | 5.5.2026 1:20 PM Share on FacebookShare on XShare on RedditShare by emailPrint friendly versionCopy page URL Add Reason to Google Media Contact & Reprint Requests <img src="https://d2eehagpk5cl65.cloudfront.net/img/c800x450-w800-q80/uploads/2026/05/sadefur2-800x450.jpg" style="max-width: 100%; height: auto" width="1200" height="675" title="A drawing of George Washington sitting on a white horse while talking to two black slaves working in the field at Mount Vernon." alt="A drawing of George Washington sitting on a white horse while talking to two black slaves working in the field at Mount Vernon.
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