Most of Jefferson's earlier debts were contracted in the purchase of slaves. "I cannot decide to sell my lands.... nor would I willingly sell the slaves as long as there remains any prospect of paying my debts with their labor." This will "enable me to put them ultimately on an easier footing, which I will do the moment they have paid the [my] debts,... two thirds of which have been contracted by purchasing them." (Jefferson to Lewis, July 29, 1787; ib., 311.)
[699] For Virginia legislation on this subject see Hening, ix, x, and xi, under index caption "British Debts."
[700] Definitive Treaty of Peace, 1783, art. 4.
[701] Journal, H.D. (1st Sess.), 1784, 41.
[702] Ib., 54; 72-73. The Treaty required both.
[703] Journal, H.D. (1st Sess., 1784), 74.
[704] Ib., 74-75. Henry led the fight against repealing the anti-debt laws or, as he contended, against Great Britain's infraction of the Treaty.
[705] Journal, H.D. (1st Sess., 1784), 25.
[706] Madison to Jefferson, Jan. 9, 1785; Writings: Hunt, ii, 114.
[707] See Madison's vivid description of this incident; ib., 116; also Henry, ii, 233.