Cabinet Battle 3 (Demo) - Lin-Manuel Miranda

[00:00.30]The issue on the table
[00:02.10]A petition from a Quaker delegation in Philadelphia calling on Congress
[00:06.33]To end the African slave trade and abolish slavery
[00:09.84]In all its forms
[00:11.56]This petition was written and signed by Benjamin Franklin
[00:14.55]
[00:15.06]It cannot go ignored
[00:16.59]This comes to a vote in Congress
[00:18.52]What is the White House's position
[00:20.62]Secretary Jefferson you first
[00:23.04]Tread lightly
[00:24.37]Sir
[00:25.35]The constitution clearly states
[00:26.98]That the states have to wait
[00:28.48]Until eighteen oh eight to debate
[00:30.65]On whether to end the slave trade
[00:33.05]And whether or not you want it guys
[00:34.87]That is the final compromise we made
[00:36.71]Sir wait
[00:37.42]But for a second let us say that we can legislate
[00:39.84]Unanimous emancipation freedom reigns and yes it's great
[00:43.38]We cannot cure prejudice or righteous desperate hate
[00:46.28]So back to Africa or do they get a separate state
[00:49.18]
[00:49.81]In 1784 I tried to float banning slavery in the West
[00:53.09]My notion didn't get a single vote
[00:55.34]Slavery's a sin it's growing like a cancer
[00:57.83]But we can't address the question if we do not have an answer
[01:00.94]
[01:01.47]Is it my turn
[01:02.74]Good
[01:03.29]
[01:03.91]Plantation states are packed with promise makers
[01:06.08]Do you realize the precious time these legislators wasted
[01:09.07]Institutionalizing slavery only multiplies our troubles
[01:11.97]Wait till the 1800's and their population doubles
[01:15.09]You all know
[01:15.98]This is the stain on our soul and democracy
[01:18.84]A land of the free
[01:20.30]No it's not it's hypocrisy
[01:21.85]To subjugate dehumanize a race call 'em property
[01:24.95]And say that we are powerless to stop it can you not foresee
[01:28.11]Sir even you you have hundreds of slaves
[01:30.57]Whose descendants will curse our names when we're safe in our graves
[01:33.56]How will the south find labor for its businesses
[01:36.34]How will Thomas Jefferson find his next mistresses
[01:39.20]
[01:39.85]How dare you
[01:40.56]Yet still people follow like lemmings
[01:42.76]All your hemming and hawing while you're hee hawing with Sally Hemings
[01:45.78]That's enough
[01:47.08]Well you asked how I feel
[01:48.50]I don't pretend to know the answer but the question is real
[01:51.51]
[01:52.29]If I may Mr President
[01:54.16]Madison
[01:55.23]Let's take this moment to establish a precedent
[01:58.06]First of all sir we won't involve you in this
[02:00.98]Imagine this debate with all of congress it's ruinous
[02:03.94]I'll reassure the South 1808 is still the year
[02:06.75]That was agreed upon
[02:07.67]That buys us time and assuages fear
[02:10.25]I'll tell the North that on January 1st
[02:12.63]Of that year we'll ban importation handling the worst
[02:15.95]Once I get all this agreed upon I'll pick up a pen
[02:18.52]And introduce a notion never to discuss this again
[02:21.69]Mr President
[02:22.42]Hamilton if we support emancipation
[02:24.83]Every single slave owner will demand compensation
[02:27.87]And as for slandering Jefferson with talk of mistresses
[02:30.89]Do you really wanna
[02:31.94]Do you really wanna have that conversation
[02:33.93]
[02:37.49]No
[02:37.71]
[02:40.34]Madison execute your plan to the letter
[02:42.80]Let's hope the next generation thinks of something better