Comments by "nexus1g" (@nexus1g) on "Nadler Asks Chip Roy: 'What Do You Use Semi-Automatic Weapons For?'" video.
-
That's assuming a whole lot, Kenneth. He did father children with a slave of his, Sally Hemmings, and you assume it's rape. I'm not so convinced reviewing what we know. We know that she traveled with him to France. We know that France would allow any slave to emancipate themselves in their borders. We understand from Hemming's son that she was aware of this and chose to return to the US with Jefferson. We know that the only slaves that Jefferson released in his will were Hemmings' family.
We know that Jefferson never bought slaves. He did not have slaves until he inherited Monticello from his father-in-law. We know that states whose economies depended on slaves, like Virginia, had laws on the books that were punitive in nature for freeing slaves, forcing the emancipator to be responsible both for the welfare, actions, and economic care of such emancipated people.
As far as terrorizing slaves, I'm aware of no such instance. I do understand that there is one recorded instance of significant punishment against a slave, and it was because that particular slave took a smithy hammer to the head of another slave. We have documented evidence that Jefferson commanded of the slave masters that the slaves be treated with all respect.
As the Reverend Fossett explained, juxtaposing being a slave under Jefferson versus being under Col. John R. Jones:
As for the social enjoyment of the men of those days the people of this time do not begin to come up to it. Weddings, parties, barbecues and the like, even the slaves participated in. ´As a master Jefferson was kind and indulgent. Under his management his slaves were seldom punished, except for stealing and fighting. They were tried for any offense as at court and allowed to make their own defense. The slave children were nursed until they were three years old, and left with their parents until thirteen. They were then sent to the overseers' wives to learn trades. Every male child's father received $5 at its birth. ´Jefferson was a man of sober habits, although his cellars were stocked with wines. No one ever saw him under the influence of liquor. His servants about the house were tasked. If you did your task well you were rewarded; if not, punished. Mrs. Randolph would not let any of the young ladies go anywhere with gentlemen with the exception of their brothers, unless a colored servant accompanied them. On July 4, 1826, exactly fifty years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson and Adams died. I was eleven years old.
´Sorrow came not only to the homes of two great men who had been such fast friends in life as Jefferson and Adams, but to the slaves of Thomas Jefferson. The story of my own life is like a fairy tale, and you would not believe me if I told to you the scenes enacted during my life of slavery. It passes through my mind like a dream. Born and reared as free, not knowing that I was a slave, then suddenly, at the death of Jefferson, put upon an auction block and sold to strangers. I then commenced an eventful life.
´I was sold to Col. John R. Jones. My father was freed by the Legislature of Virginia. At the request of Mr. Jefferson, my father made an agreement with Mr. Jones that when he was able to raise the amount that Col. Jones paid for me he would give me back to my father, and he also promised to let me learn the blacksmith trade with my father as soon as I was old enough. My father then made a bargain with two sons of Col. Jones--William Jones and James Lawrence Jones--to teach me. They attended the University of Virginia.
´Mr. Jefferson allowed his grandson to teach any of his slaves who desired to learn, and Lewis Randolph first taught me how to read. When I was sold to Col. Jones I took my books along with me. One day I was kneeling before the fireplace spelling the word "baker," when Col. Jones opened the door, and I shall never forget the scene as long as I live.
"What have you got there, sir?" were his words.
´I told him.
´"If I ever catch you with a book in your hands, thirty-and-nine lashes on your bare back." He took the book and threw it into the fire, then called up his sons and told them that if they ever taught me they would receive the same punishment.'
5
-
2
-
1