"They [slave petitioners] cannot but express their astonishment that it has never been considered that every principle from which America has acted in the course of their unhappy difficulties with Great Britain pleads stronger than a thousand arguments in favor of your petitioners [and their desire] to be restored to the enjoyment of that which is the natural right of all men."—From the "Petitions of Slaves to the Massachusetts Legislature (1773 and 1777)" How did the colonial independence movement create internal debate about the nature of the new nation, as mentioned in the excerpt?

Most leaders did not see slavery as an issue but rather as an institution that helped support their stated national goals.

Since some slaves fought in the war, a plan was considered whereby slaves could gain freedom through a period of military service.

Many leaders saw slavery as incompatible with the stated values of the new government and sought to gradually end the practice.

Early discussions on slavery considered emancipation only for those who had been highly educated and therefore could be landowners.