Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson is known for his brilliant writing of the Declaration of Independence. He was born in Shadwell, Albemarle County, Virginia, on April 14, 1743. His ancestors were among the early pioneers of the Old Dominion of Virginia. Thomas was the son of Peter Jefferson and was educated at the College of William and Mary where he explored the fields of science. At twenty-two, he was elected to the Legislature, enabling him to disseminate his liberal principles throughout the Colony. He proclaimed himself the unyielding advocate of equal rights.In 1769, the Legislature passed a resolution-not to import a single article from Great Britain. He wrote A Summary View of the Rights of British America, respectfully addressing it to the King, but very plainly pointed to the proper position of the two countries and the final result of the policy of ministers. So exasperated was Lord Dunmore on perusing this article from the pen of Jefferson that he threatened to arrest him for high treason. Finding most of the members of the Legislature, then in session, quite as treasonable in their views, he at once dissolved that body.
The following year, in answer to petitions for redress of grievances, the British ministry sent to the Legislature of the Old Dominion a series of propositions that they termed conciliatory but which added insult to injury. Mr. Jefferson exposed their fallacy in such a masterly strain of eloquent burning logic and sarcasm that conviction was carried to a large majority of his colleagues. They were referred to a committee that reported an answer written by him and was very similar to the Declaration of Independence.
Under its zenith at Philadelphia, Mr. Jefferson took his seat in the Continental Congress on June 21, 1775. Although one of the youngest members of that venerated assembly of patriotic sages, he was known as a man of superior intelligence, liberal sentiments, strict integrity, stern republicanism, and unbending patriotism-his influence was strongly felt and judiciously exercised.
The Declaration of Independence
The following year the Declaration of Independence was proposed. Mr. Jefferson was appointed chairman of the committee to prepare this momentous document. He performed the task with a bold design and beauty of execution before unknown and yet unrivaled.In the autumn of 1776, Mr. Jefferson was appointed a commissioner to the court of France in conjunction with Messrs. Franklin and Deane to form a Treaty of Alliance. Ill health of himself and his family and an urgent necessity for his services in his native state, induced him to decline the proffered honor and resign his seat in Congress.
Proof that Jefferson was not an Advocate of Slavery
He was immediately elected to the first Legislature of his state convened under the new Constitution. On taking his seal in that body, his attention was directed to demolishing the judicial code emanating from the British Parliament. He mostly performed the work of rearing a new superstructure. The first bill he introduced was aimed at the slave trade and prohibited the further importation of negroes into Virginia.Jefferson was not an advocate of slavery!
It is beyond dispute that he struck the first blow in the Colonies at the unhallowed trade of importing human beings to consign them to bondage. That this was the first significant step towards correcting the most cruel feature of this system, originated by philanthropic England, is equally true. To transfer those negroes, born in the United States, from one section of this country to another, bears no comparison in cruelty to the heart-rending barbarity of forcing the African from his native home-even should he fall into the hands of[Pg 196] those emancipators who, instead of returning him to his native shores-put him an "apprentice" to hard labor on their own plantations. Consistency thou art a jewel rather rare. Common humanity forbids the sudden emancipation of the slaves as proposed by emissary Thompson and his converts.
Thomas Jefferson's 126 Bills passed for Freedom
Mr. Jefferson next effected the passage of bills destroying entails-primogeniture-the church as established by England and various others-assimilating the entire system of jurisprudence in the state to its republican form of government. He reported one hundred and twenty-six bills, most of which were passed and constitute the present much admired statutory code of Virginia.In 1779, Mr. Jefferson was called to the gubernatorial chair of his native state, then surrounded by perils. The British troops, led by the proud Colonel Banastre Tarleton and the traitor Benedict Arnold, were spreading death and devastation over the Old Dominion and contemplated the capture of the governor. Terror seized the more timid patriots-the boldest were alarmed at the approach of the merciless foe. The energy of the governor was equal to the emergency. He rallied the bone and sinew of old Virginia, who "with hearts of oak and nerves of steel," checked the enemy in their bold career of indiscriminate slaughter. He imparted confidence and vigor to the desponding and roused them to bold and noble action. He dispersed the black cloud that hung over his bleeding state and inspired the friends of liberty with cheering hopes of ultimate success. So highly were his services appreciated during the eventful term of his administration that the Legislature entered upon their records a unanimous vote of thanks to him for the able and efficient manner he had discharged his public duties-highly complimenting his talents, morality, moral courage, and stern integrity.
In 1783, Thomas Jefferson again took his seat in Congress, and introduced a clause prohibiting slavery in any of the territories or the states that should be formed after 1800!
In May 1784, he was a minister plenipotentiary in conjunction with Dr. Franklin and John Adams, with Power to negotiate treaties of commerce with several European nations. In July, he embarked for France and arrived in Paris on August 6. During his absence, he visited several foreign courts but spent most of his time in France. He commanded the highest respect and was made a welcome guest in the halls of literature, legislation and jurisprudence. Kings and courtiers treated him with profound deference and were convinced intelligence and talent were not exclusively confined to the old world.
At the beginning of the French Revolution, Thomas Jefferson was in France. When he returned on November 23, 1789, his fellow citizens received him with great enthusiasm, and he became the Secretary of State under President Washington.
Having served his country long and faithfully and contributed largely to placing her on the great highway of Freedom and prosperity, Mr. Jefferson retired to his plantation Monticello from public life on December 31, 1793.
After a repose of three years, he was again called to the theatre of public action. President Washington had announced his determination to retire to the peaceful shades of Mount Vernon. The people had become divided into two political parties, each determined to nominate a candidate for the high and responsible office about to become vacant. The federalists nominated John Adams-the democrats Thomas Jefferson. The former was elected President-the latter Vice President of the United States. As the presiding officer of the Senate, Mr. Jefferson discharged his duty with dignity and impartiality. Familiar with parliamentary rules, he was prepared to decide questions promptly and uniformly to the satisfaction of members.
At the next Presidential Election, Thomas Jefferson was again opposed to Mr. Adams. The mountain waves of party spirit rolled over the United States like a sweeping torrent. Each party presented a bold front regardless of danger pressed on by a rear rushing to conflict. The two candidates were bosom friends. Honest political differences did not interrupt their private good feelings. Not a word fell from the lips of either disparaging to his opponent. They regretted the fever heat of their partisans during the canvass but could not alleviate it. The Democrats carried the election and returned an equal number of votes for Mr. Jefferson as President and Col. Burr as Vice President. This singular circumstance imposed the election of the Chief Magistrate upon the House of Representatives. To defeat the election of the great leader of the popular party, several of his opponents voted for Colonel Burr. A very spirited contest ensued. Thirty-five ineffectual ballotings were made. The ambition of Burr for promotion induced him to omit to do at once what propriety dictated and that which would have rendered him famous and perhaps saved him from the vortex of disgrace into which he subsequently plunged-the immediate withdrawal of his name. This he was finally compelled to do, and on the thirty-sixth ballot, Mr. Jefferson was duly elected President by a majority of eight votes and Col. Burr Vice President. I have long been convinced that the Federal Constitution should be amended with reference to the election of these two officers. The votes for each should be confined to each office independent of the other. The election should never go to the House of Representatives, especially as political honesty is constantly deteriorating. The history of all time shows clearly that as a government grows older, corruption increases[Pg 200] until it finally dissolves the state. Let the President be elected for four years until another shall be elected in his place and let this be done directly by the people. Reckless party management would then be stripped of half its horrors. Better pay the expense of two elections than have one unworthy incumbent in the Presidential Chair. The following extract from the Inaugural Address of Mr. Jefferson should be committed by every man and boy in our country-the principles would then be better understood and perhaps more generally exemplified in practice.
" Equal and exact justice to all men of whatever state or persuasion-religious or political-peace, commerce and honest friendship with all nations-entangling alliances with none-the support of the state governments in all their rights as the most competent administrations for our domestic concerns and the surest bulwarks against anti-republican tendencies-the preservation of the general government in its whole constitutional vigor as the sheet anchor of our peace at home and safety abroad-a zealous care of the right of election by the people-a mild and safe corrective of abuses which are lopped by the sword of revolution when peaceable remedies are unprovided-absolute acquiescence in the decisions of the majority, the vital principle of Republics from which there is no appeal but to force-the vital principle and immediate parent of despotism-a well disciplined militia our best reliance in peace and for the first moments of war till regulars may relieve them-the supremacy of the civil over the military authority-economy in public expenses that labor may be lightly burthened-the honest payment of our debts and sacred preservation of the public faith-encouragement of agriculture and of commerce as its handmaid-the diffusion of information and arraignment of all abuses at the bar of public reason-Freedom of religion, Freedom of the press and Freedom of the person under the protection of the habeas corpus and trial by juries impartially selected. These principles form the bright constellation that has gone before us and guided our steps through an age of revolution and reformation. The wisdom of our sages and blood of our heroes have been devoted to their attainment. They should be the creed of our political faith, the text of civic instruction, the touchstone by which to try the service of those we trust, and should we wander from them in moments of error or alarm, let us hasten to retrace our steps and to regain the road which alone leads to peace, liberty and safety. " " I shall need, too, the favor of that Being in whose hands we are, who led our forefathers, as Israel of old, from their native land and planted them in a country flowing with all the necessaries of life-who has covered our infancy with his Providence and our riper years with his wisdom and Power." Washington and Adams said no more.
Soon after Mr. Jefferson entered upon the duties of his second term, a portentous storm darkened the horizon of our country, charged with the lightning of discord. In consequence of being disappointed in riding into the presidency on the whirlwind of confusion he created at the time he was made Vice President and at the end of four years-dropped like a traitor as he was, Aaron Burr mounted upon the tornado of his wild ambition and attempted the formation of a new Republic in the Spanish Provinces on the Mississippi, aiming at an ultimate division, if[Pg 202] not dissolution of the Union. He was arrested and tried for high treason, but being a man of great foresight, consummate genius, and deep cunning-no overt act could be proved against him within the technical meaning of the law, and he was acquitted-yet the dark stigma is marked upon the splendor of his brilliant talents in traces so deep, that time nor angels' tears can ever remove it. Like a comet propelled by its own centrifugal force from its constitutional orbit, he fell to rise no more-our country was saved from his Cataline grasp by the Cicero of our nation.
About the same time France and Great Britain were at war-both of whom and more especially the latter-had repeatedly insulted the American flag under various but false pretenses. Redress was promptly demanded, and measures were pursued to obtain it. Anxious to preserve peace but determined to vindicate our rights and dignity-Mr. Jefferson simultaneously prosecuted a negotiation and prepared for war. He well understood the importance of the importing and exporting trade to England. Among the means used to bring her to honorable terms, he recommended to Congress the embargo law, which was passed on the December 22 1807. This measure was violently assailed by those opposed to his administration. As he anticipated, it had a salutary effect on the British government and caused propositions to be made by England for an honorable adjustment of all differences.
Thus were the foreign relations of the United States situated when the second term of Mr. Jefferson closed. He then bid a final farewell to public life and consigned the destinies of his beloved country into other hands. He had been an efficient and faithful laborer in the vineyard of American Liberty for nearly forty years. He left it richly covered with green foliage and fruit-in the full vigor of health-enclosed by the palisades of truth and honesty-adorned with the crowning glories of philanthropy and patriotism.
From that time, he declined all public honors and remained in peaceful retirement to the day of his death-seldom leaving his sweet home-the beautiful Monticello. Unlike too many with ample means, he did not lead a life of inglorious ease. The same innate activity that had marked his bright career from youth-the same nobleness of mind and energy of character that raised him to the loftiest pinnacle fame could rear, still promoted him to action. He reduced his time to a harmonious arrangement-his business to perfect system. He uniformly rose before the sun and held a supervision over all the concerns of his plantation. The various productions of his pen during the period of his retirement, show that he labored arduously in the fields of science and[Pg 203] philosophy. For the promotion of literature and general intelligence, he opened an extensive correspondence with men of letters in this country and Europe. He considered the diffusion of knowledge among the great mass of the human family the greatest safeguard against tyranny and oppression-the purest source of earthly bliss-the surest passport to Freedom and happiness.
Acting from this impulse, he submitted the plan of a University to the Legislature of Virginia to be erected at Charlottesville, situated at the foot of the romantic mountain in front of his mansion. It was to be built with funds raised by donations from individuals in the state, himself to be a liberal contributor. He drew the plan of the buildings and course of instruction and so much admired and approved by the members of the legislative body that an act was passed to carry into effect the design and Mr. Jefferson was appointed Rector. For the completion of this object, he spent all necessary time and more money than strict justice called for. It became the donating object of his old age. His best efforts were exerted in its accomplishment, which were crowned with success, and the University filled with students to whom he paid great attention. The course of instruction was designed to prepare youth for the general routine of business, public and private, and was not strictly classical. The library was selected by him with great care, being composed entirely of solid, valuable books, treating subjects important to every citizen in preparing him to discharge properly the duties he owes to his God, his family, his country, and himself. A catalogue written by Jefferson is still there in a good state of preservation. He exercised parental care over this institution until his physical powers failed.