Question

why didnt slavery or its abolition become a topic of meaningful discussion as the continental congress developed a framework for a national government?
southern delegates refused to discuss it.
the delegates did not believe slavery to be an important issue.
there was no consensus regarding slavery.
the loyalty of enslaved people was in question. slavery was not dismissed as an issue because the delegates doubted the loyalty of enslaved people.

Explanation:

When the Continental Congress was developing a framework for a national government, the issue of slavery was highly divisive. Southern states relied on slave - based economies, while northern states had different economic structures and some were more abolition - minded. There was no agreement or consensus among the delegates on how to handle slavery, which prevented it from becoming a topic of meaningful discussion. Southern delegates would not have wanted to discuss abolition, but the lack of consensus is a broader reason encompassing all delegates' stances. The delegates knew slavery was an important issue, and the loyalty of enslaved people was not the main reason for the lack of discussion on slavery's abolition at this stage.

Answer:

There was no consensus regarding slavery.