“It is much to be wished that slavery may be abolished.”
John Jay (1745–1829) American politician and a founding father of the United States
The honour of the States, as well as justice and humanity, in my opinion, loudly call upon them to emancipate these unhappy people. To contend for our own liberty, and to deny that blessing to others, involves an inconsistency not to be excused.
1780s, Letter to R. Lushington (1786)