Final answer:
Jefferson discusses his early political career and his unsuccessful attempts to pass liberal measures like the emancipation of slaves due to societal constraints and perceived duty towards the British mother country.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the excerpt from The Memoirs of Thomas Jefferson, Jefferson recounts his early years as a member of the legislature prior to the American Revolution. He expresses his frustration at the inability to pass more liberal measures like the emancipation of slaves due to the constraints of being subordinate to the British government. His attempts to promote change were hampered by the societal norms of the time which included a strong bias towards British religion and interests. Despite these struggles he was part of the foundation of the new American society and government that was born out of the revolution.
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