Slavery Battle Lyrics - Lin-manuel Miranda

The issue on the table: a petition from a Quaker delegation in Philadelphia calling on Congress to end the African slave trade and abolish slavery, in all its forms. This petition was written and signed by Benjamin Franklin, it cannot go ignored. If this comes to a vote in Congress, what is the White House's position? Secretary Jefferson, you first. Tread lightly... 

Sir 

The constitution clearly states 

That the states have to wait 

Until eighteen-oh-eight to debate 

On whether to end the slave trade 

And whether or not you want it, guys 

That is the final compromise we made 

Sir wait- 

But for a second let us say that we can legislate 

Unanimous emancipation, freedom reigns, and yes, it's great 

We cannot cure prejudice or righteous, desperate hate 

So back to Africa or do they get a separate state? 

In 1784, I tried to float banning slavery in the West 

My notion didn't get a single vote 

Slavery's a sin, it's growing like a cancer 

But we can't address the question if we do not have an answer 

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Is it my turn? Good 

Plantation states are packed with promise makers 

Do you realize the precious time these legislators wasted? 

Institutionalizing slavery only multiplies our troubles 

Wait till the 1800's, and their population doubles 

You all know 

This is the stain on our soul and democracy 

A land of the free? No, it's not, it's hypocrisy 

To subjugate, dehumanize a race, call 'em property 

And say that we are powerless to stop it, can you not foresee? 

Sir, even you, you have hundreds of slaves 

Whose descendants will curse our names when we're safe in our graves 

How will the south find labor for its businesses? 

How will Thomas Jefferson find his next mistresses? 

How dare you 

Yet still, people follow like lemmings 

All your hemming and hawing, while you're hee-hawing with Sally Hemings 

Photos 

That's enough 

Well you asked how I feel 

I don't pretend to know the answer, but the question is real 

If I may, Mr. President? 

Madison? 

Let's take this moment to establish a precedent 

First of all, sir, we won't involve you in this 

Imagine this debate with all of congress, it's ruinous 

I'll reassure the South, 1808 is still the year 

That was agreed upon 

That buys us time and assuages fear 

I'll tell the North that on January 1st 

Of that year, we'll ban importation handling the worst 

Once I get all this agreed upon, I'll pick up a pen 

And introduce a notion never to discuss this again 

Mr President! 

Hamilton, if we support emancipation 

Every single slave owner will demand compensation 

And as for slandering Jefferson with talk of mistresses 

Do you really wanna- 

Do you really wanna have that conversation? 

No 

Madison, execute your plan to the letter 

Let's hope the next generation thinks of something better