I wonder if we might prevail upon Mr. Thomson to read again a small portion of Mr....

Edward Rutledge: I wonder if we might prevail upon Mr. Thomson to read again a small portion of Mr. Jefferson's Declaration. The one beginning "he has waged cruel war." Charles Thomson: [searching] Uh... "he has affected", "he's combined", "he's abdicated", "he's plundered". "He's constrained", "he's excited", "he's incited", "he's waged cruel war"! Here it is. "He has waged cruel war against human nature itself, in the persons of a distant people who never offended him, captivating them and carrying them into slavery in another hemisphere, determined to keep open a market where men should be bought and sold. He has prostituted his..." Edward Rutledge: That will suffice, Mr. Thomson. I thank you, sir. Mr. Jefferson, I can't quite make out what it is you're talking about. Thomas Jefferson: Slavery, Mr. Rutledge. Edward Rutledge: Oh, yes. You're referring to us as slaves of the King. Thomas Jefferson: No, sir. I'm referring to our slaves. Black slaves. Edward Rutledge: Oh. Black slaves. Why didn't you say so, sir? Were you trying to hide your meaning? Thomas Jefferson: No, sir. Edward Rutledge: Just another literary license, then. Thomas Jefferson: If you like. Edward Rutledge: I don't like at all, Mr. Jefferson. To us in South Carolina, black slavery is our peculiar institution, and a cherished way of life. Thomas Jefferson: Nevertheless, we must abolish it. Nothing is more certainly written in the Book of Fate than that this people shall be free.