Rebecca is correct that Jefferson was a man of his time, as are we all. He inherited his slaves & never bought or sold a one. When he returned from 5 yrs as ambassador to France, Jefferson's slaves waited a few miles out on the road into Monticello & followed the carriage in because they were so happy to have him home. If they had been freed in that day, their chances of life were slim at best. I think Jefferson tried to be as honorable as possible. He said, paraphrasing, that he envisioned a time when all people, women, people of color, everyone, would enjoy equal rights. No one since Jefferson has been more prescient - he is a one man school on how best to govern.