If I were on a debate squad and asked to take the side of Jefferson. I could fill whatever time was allotted with his good deeds. He already has historians that have done just that, I try to bring balance.

" Whatever his motives,( and Jefferson, ever a careful politician, is a complex read on this) , the fact is that it did end , at least on paper , a barbaric practice., For the first time, it indicated that the government of the United States would not sanction Slavery as a business in its ports and harbors."

I submit Jefferson ended nothing as the number of enslaved people only increased after 1808, dramatically in fact, due to the combination of forced breeding and rape. That was the way to get to his goal of a child every two years he recommended to George Washington as a way to increase profits of 4% a year. The only benefit was to plantation owners in Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware who saw the prices rise on their leading export, slaves.

The Louisiana Purchase was an overall plus for America. Napoleon wanted to get out of having to deal with slaves after the Haitian Revolution and Jefferson needed the land to ensure a market for the slaves his state was breeding. I consider Jefferson to be far more intelligent that Trump but more cruel as he knew what he was doing.