glebb Posted August 14, 2008 Share Posted August 14, 2008 I was riveted to every second of the HBO series (several times per episode) and I also love Mel's knowledge on the subject. Link to comment
dirac Posted August 14, 2008 Share Posted August 14, 2008 My memory grows dim on the details, but all southern states had restrictions on manumission. These laws became increasingly harsh and punitive up to the Civil War, making it either illegal or virtually impossible to free a slave. But most of that was after Jefferson's death. My comment on legality wasn’t meant to refer to the manumission laws on the books at the time. As you note, they weren’t too bad. My point was that Jefferson had notes and mortgages on some of his slaves, and in that case I don’t think it would have been legal to free them. I’m no expert and could be wrong, of course. Mrs. Adams and Mrs. Washington were the great shoppers-together of the 1790s! Thanks for posting, glebb. Was there anything in particular you especially liked about the show? Link to comment
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