We were not the United States Of America until the late 1780's. Until that point, "We" didn't make national choices for ourselves.

When "we" did, we made the anti-slavery choice very early in our existance.

And the irony is that you desire to put an even finer point to the America loathing by defining us early enough to be more "guilty" of slavery, illustrates exactly what I'm talking about.

It has become the liberal habit to define everything in some way as to paint the very worst portrait of our country. That is not winsome -- nor is it accurate.