Did 'all men are created equal' always include black Americans? What was Thomas Jefferson's Intent When He Penned the Declaration of Independence?

Two weeks ago, I discussed the committee authorship of the Declaration of Independence and its adoption (after significant edits) by the Continental Congress.Today, I want to discuss the extraordinary edits concerning the issue of slavery. As is well known, the Continental Congress assigned an editorial committee of five men: Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston and Benjamin Franklin.Thomas Jefferson penned the first draft, which was then edited by the committee and then the Continental Congress in session. As noted before in my July 24th column, they made significant edits. However, the most significant and the most extensive edit...