Notes On The States Of Virginia

Notes on the States of Virginia (1781) was a book written by Thomas Jefferson which denounced the institution of slavery in America.

Jefferson created such an outspoken denunciation of slavery that he hesitated to publish it, because "the terms in which I speak of slavery and of our Constitution [in Virginia] may produce an irritation which will revolt the minds of our countrymen against the reform of these two articles, and thus do more harm then good."^[1] Because deferring beliefs surrounding the issue of slavery, Jefferson attempted to limit the distribution of Notes on the States of Virginia but unauthorized versions forced him to publish it openly.^[2] The very first edition of Note's appeared in 1787.^[2]

Ironically, although Jefferson argued for outright abolishment of slavery, he was a slave owner himself.

External links[edit]

• Sampling of Notes of the State of Virginia

References[edit]

1. ↑ Paul Johnson, A History of the American People, page. 243
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} http://www.ansp.org/museum/jefferson/otherPages/notes_VA.php