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The declaration of independence – Is one of the most important documents in the united states. It was a official act taken by all 13 colonies in declaring independence from British rule. Its originally written by Thomas Jefferson. The actual signing of the document was on August 2, 1776. The declaration of independence is on public display of the national archives in Washington DC. The famous phase from the declaration of independence was, “is with hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal, and owned by the creator with certain unalienable rights that among those are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness .” John Hancock was the first to sign the deceleration of independence. ( Ben’s Guide 2019).

The 1 founding father I picked that would deal with the new American nation , and the issues of slaves, and slavery was, Benjamin Franklin. He did renounce the institution of slavery a voice for abolition. But, later in Franklin’s life he believed that slavery was inconsistent with the enlightenment principle, on which America was founded on. It was also, in decline as an economic system. By 1772, Benjamin Franklin publicly called out the British for hypocrisy on the issue of slavery. Franklin, years later, petition for the abolition of slavery to the house of representatives when he was president of the United States of America. ( Lesson 3 2020). Less than 3 months before Franklin’s death, he petition congress to prove the means to bring slavery to an end. So, he was against slavery. Then freedom was given to over three million slaves. After Benjamin Franklin’s death, Franklin first argued that slaves have long been treated as brute animals beneath the standard of human species. Franklin, then asked for donations, and resources to help freed slaves adjust to society. He said give the free slaves education. moral instruction, and suitable employment, in his early view on slavery. He did owned some slaves , and viewed them as inferior to white Europeans as it was believed, they could not be educated. But, Benjamin Franklin changed his mind about slavery. After 1758, its when his friend Samuel Johnson bought him to one of of Bray’s school for black children. Dr Bray’s associates was a philanthropic association affiliated to the church of England. IN 1759, Benjamin Franklin joined the association by donating money, and the he fought against slavery. ( Historical Society 2020).

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Contrary to popular belief not all Americans were in agreeance in the use of slavery. James Madison is known as one of the founding fathers that help orchestrate the Americas as we know them today. He also stood against the idea of slavery and sought to abolish it, way before the American Civil War was even of thought. He takes on slavery was that it was an evil that existed within his society. Madison made many comments on the matter of slave labor but the most profound quote that I uncovered was stated in 1769 by Madison. “The preservation of a free government requires not merely that the metes and bounds which separate each department of power be invariably maintained; but more especially that neither of them be suffered to overleap the great Barrier which defends the rights of the people. The Rulers who are guilty of such an encroachment, exceed the commission from which they derive their authority and are Tyrants. The people who submit to it are governed by laws made neither by themselves nor by an authority derived from them, and are slaves.” In the quote from “AZQuotes.com”, Madison describes slave owners as Tyrants, and express that the government will never be able to function properly so long as human rights are being withheld from others. Although, standing next this unpopular belief brought Madison reprehension he used his political power to try and change the polices that kept slavery enacted. Madison suggested the black slaves instead of being incentives to recruit more whites to enlist in the Army by offering a slave with every enlistment contract, allowed slaves to enlist themselves in order to gain their freedom. He also wrote a book called ” A History of the Old South”. Madison continued to rally for the freedom of slaves right up into his death. But all this is not to say that Madison did not own slaves himself. In fact, Madison grew up with the use of slave, in letters he writes home he is found referring to the slaves as members of the family. He regarded them with affection and respect, rendering common curtsies when passing in them in streets. He frowned upon the server punishment of slaves, and was known to go easy on his own slaves. With simple punishment like sending them away to work elsewhere. Madison knew that he most likely would not live to see the abolishment of slavery, but I think it is fair to say that in a world where little could be done about the condition of African slaves the least, he could do was treat them with dignity and respect.