I'm a born and bred Southerner, but after Thomas Jefferson wrote those words, and we did not get rid of slavery at that time, that the wrath of God would be visited upon the United States.

Even being of that frame of mind, he kept and used slaves. It was the economic system at taht time, and he spent more than he made. He also said the tree of liberty needed to be watered by the blood of patriots. H edid not define patriots, that I remember.

George Washington educated and trained his slaves, so that upon his and Marthas' deaths, they could be freed and make their way in the world. The South honored Washington, and his statue still stands in Richmond, as it did during the war. Stan