American Slavery

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The treaties efforts were no small deal, the annual expenses for the Squadron of ships from Britain was at least $3,000,000.00 a year. American yearly expenses ran between $800,000 and $1,000,000.00. despite this the slave trade continued. British commander Charles Holtham who commanded off the cost of Africa for several years testified before Congress (5 ).
Congress: " What was the result of your operations, did you succeed in stopping the Slave-Trade '"
Charles Holtham: " No "
Congress:" Did you cripple it to such an extent as is In your opinion calculated to give to the Slave-Trade a permanent check "
Charles Holtham:"No."

What about our founding fathers? How did they feel about slavery in General? Benjamin Franklin owned two house slaves that he later freed, he stood almost alone in his "adamantly opposing slavery" in 1776. Thomas Jefferson own about 200 slaves. George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Patrick Henry, John Hancock, and other founding fathers owned slaves as did ten presidents(6 ).