James Madison’s Notes of the Debates: The Framers vs. Slavery

The Framers structured the Constitution to lead the new Republic to the ultimate end of slavery but were unable to set a time frame for its abolition.

The discussion on slavery at the Federal Convention in Philadelphia in 1787 centered on two issues: how to count the slaves in the apportionment of members in the House of Representatives and setting an end date for the slave trade.

Both would justify their opposition to slavery as representing the original intent of the Framers . The legacy of the Framers was and remains one of freedom. Honor the Framers . Image: Public Domain.