In Henry's Land - coming this summer

Here is a clip from "In Henry's Land: A Broken Peace" set to be released this summer as a sequel to my debut novel, "Henry's Pride".


Henry lounged comfortably in his library, reading the newly-arrived edition of Harper’s Weekly, as Theodore walked in.

“I’m confused,” the young man announced as he took a seat nearby.

Henry folded the paper and laid it on the small table beside his chair. “About what?”

“I’ve been studying the Declaration of Independence.”

“Everyone should. And the Constitution as well. What is it that confuses you?”

“A lot of things,” Theodore began. “First of all, Thomas Jefferson.”

“A great American.” Henry lit his pipe and leaned forward to let Theodore know he had his full attention,

“Well, I’m a man, right?”

“Of course, you are, Theodore, and a fine one at that.”

“Mr. Jefferson said that all men are created equal.”

“He did.”

“So, I’m created equal?”

“You are.”

“He also said that the Creator endowed all men with the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

“He was right about that.”

“So, God gave us colored folks the same rights as he gave everyone else?”

“I reckon he did.”

“Do you think Mr. Jefferson actually believed that?”

“I’m sure he did,” Hendry answered. “All of the signers did too. They wouldn’t have pledged to it if they didn’t.”

“That’s why I’m confused. Didn’t a lot of them own slaves?”

“They did.”

“Why? If they believed the slaves had a right to liberty and the pursuit of happiness, why did they own slaves?”

For the first time ever, Henry felt powerless to answer a question that Theodore had brought to him. He had never seriously considered the conundrum. He had fought to preserve the Union. He had agreed whole-heartedly with emancipation and disagreed with those who promoted sending freed slaves back to Africa. He believed that colored men should be citizens and have the right to vote. To the dismay of many of his friends and neighbors, he had written and spoken eloquently in favor of the 15th Amendment granting these very things. But here was the question, now staring him in the face.

“You’re wise beyond your years, Theodore. It’s a thoughtful question. I wish I had an equally thoughtful answer. The truth is, I don’t know. It saddens me to say that but I just don’t know. Perhaps someday, someone will figure it out. I think the two of us should start trying. Maybe Reverend Joshua can help us.”