Early Views:
* Sherman was born in a family that owned slaves. His own views on slavery were likely influenced by the prevailing attitudes of his time, where slavery was widely accepted.
* He participated in the slave trade through his involvement in the shipping industry.
* He believed in the right to property, which included enslaved people.
Later Views:
* As his life progressed, Sherman became increasingly critical of slavery.
* He supported the gradual abolition of slavery in Connecticut, advocating for a phased approach to ending the institution.
* He actively participated in the drafting of the Northwest Ordinance, which prohibited slavery in the newly acquired territories north of the Ohio River.
* He argued for the gradual emancipation of slaves in the US Constitution, although this proposal ultimately failed.
Overall:
Sherman's views on slavery were complex and multifaceted. He started as a slaveholder and participant in the slave trade, but evolved to become a vocal critic of the institution and supporter of its gradual abolition. His role in drafting the Northwest Ordinance and advocating for emancipation in the Constitution highlights his shift towards anti-slavery sentiment.
It's important to remember:
* Even though Sherman was critical of slavery, he was not an abolitionist in the modern sense of the word. He believed in a gradual process of emancipation and did not advocate for immediate freedom for all slaves.
* His views are still debated among historians, with some arguing that he was a true anti-slavery advocate, while others argue that his support for gradual emancipation was more pragmatic than moral.
Despite the complexity of his views, Roger Sherman played a significant role in the development of early American anti-slavery sentiment and contributed to the eventual abolition of slavery in the United States.