In a draft of the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson charged the king with violating the “sacred rights of life and liberty . . . of a distant people [by] carrying them into slavery .” This passage was removed for what reasons? (Check all that apply.)

Select one or more:
a. it might lead to demands to free slaves.
b. it was an unimportant issue in the colonies.
c. it was unfair to blame the king for enslaving Africans.
d. it might offend merchants who profited from the slave trade.