January 1776

Jefferson's original draft of the Declaration of Independence included a clause condemning King George for perpetuating the transatlantic slave trade, calling it a 'cruel war against human nature.' Delegates from South Carolina, Georgia, and some Northern states whose merchants profited from the trade objected. The Continental Congress struck the passage entirely. Jefferson later noted bitterly that it was removed to placate slaveholders in the South and traders in the North.

By mid-1776, a smallpox epidemic swept through Lord Dunmore's Ethiopian Regiment and the Black freedom seekers sheltering aboard British ships off the Virginia coast. Hundreds died. Dunmore wrote that disease had killed more of his Black soldiers than enemy action. Bodies were buried on small islands or thrown overboard. Survivors — perhaps 300–500 — were evacuated with British forces as the Revolution continued. Their sacrifice for British promises of freedom ended for most not in liberty but i

By mid-1776, smallpox swept through Dunmore's Ethiopian Regiment and freedom seekers sheltering aboard British ships off Virginia. Hundreds died. Dunmore wrote that disease killed more Black soldiers than enemy action. Bodies were buried on small islands or thrown overboard. Perhaps 300–500 survivors were evacuated as the Revolution continued.