This sentence really shows the dichotomy of the present and the past. It is clearly demonstrated that the slaves are not seen as people, but are instead seen as property. The word "also," while being used to show the end of a list, also subtly says that slaves are afterthoughts, even when speaking of properties.

I find it very intriguing that the very first task of the commissioners was to look for a site for the school, rather than going over the ideals, values, and goals that are mentioned later on in the report. I read that Jefferson wanted the site to be so beautiful and the school to gain such notoriety that people from even out of state would "drink of the cup of knowledge". Having the physical site in mind could have given the commissioners the motivation and inspiration to set values for the future university.

This really stood out to me. I may be wrong, but it seems as if the administration of Washington College (currently Washington and Lee) proposed the absorption of the school into the new UVA school system. For a school that seems now to pride itself on its independence, it's funny to think that they very well could have ended up as part of the University.

This is a perfect example of the "pan-american" independence movement many of the founders envisioned for all of the western hemisphere. It is often forgotten that many Americans hoped that our revolution would inspire the other colonies in North and South America to revolt as well. Eventually most of them did, but not as soon as Jefferson or the rest of the founders expected. The line "with whom we shall possibly have great intercourse ere long" and the reference to "our Continents" shows their hopefulness for a free and allied America. It is no coincidence that for many years South American flags were flown alongside that of the United States on July 4th.