Manumission meltdown

In 1769, as a young and idealistic new member of the Virginia House of Burgesses, I sought to change our laws to allow the manumission of slaves. Being too inexperienced to introduce such a radical measure myself, I turned to Richard Bland, a deeply respected and logical leader who agreed to sponsor the bill.

The moment Col. Bland proposed it, the house erupted in anger. Our fellow lawmakers treated him with the grossest indecorum, viciously denigrating his character for suggesting we ease the path to freedom.

The bill was utterly defeated, revealing just how deeply entrenched the system of slavery was.