Thomas Jefferson - Indictment of Slavery in the Declaration

A man of contrasts who owned slaves, Thomas Jefferson declared that all men were born equal. He included a scathing indictment of slavery in the first draft of the Declaration of Independence. John Adams agreed with his position, but Benjamin Franklin believed it would never be approved by the full Congress.  Franklin urged that the anti-slavery phrases be removed - and they were.

To see a recreation of events, based on historical evidence, watch this clip from John Adams, the HBO miniseries.