Query XVIII: Manners
Notes on the State of Virginia, Query XVIII: Manners 1
Thomas Jefferson
The primary author of the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson was well aware that his ownership of slaves violated the principles he espoused.
1784
The particular customs and manners that may happen to be received in that State?
It is difficult to determine on the standard by which the manners of a nation may be tried, whether catholic or particular. It is more difficult for a native to bring to that standard the manners of his own nation, familiarized to him by habit. There must doubtless be an unhappy influence on the manners of our people produced by the existence of slavery among us. The whole commerce between master and slave is a perpetual ...