Thomas Jefferson

Third President,
March 4, 1801 – March 4, 1809

Franklin P. Rice, 1882:

Thomas Jefferson, the Third, and most abused of all Presidents, was born at Shadwell, Virginia, April 2nd, 1743.  He graduated at William and Mary College; studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1767.  Elected in 1769 to the Virginia Assembly, he firmly opposed the encroachments of Great Britain, and was the author of several important papers put forth by the Colony in defence of its rights.  In 1775 he became a member of the Continental Congress, and the next year as chairman of the committee to prepare a Declaration of Independence, he drafted that remarkable document.  He returned to the Virginia Assembly where he introduced many reforms; and for two years was Governor of the State.  He became successively Minister to France, Secretary of State, Vice-President; and in 1801 President of the United States.  He was re-elected in 1804.  His death occurred on the 4th of July, 1826.

       In those broad qualities which distinguish the scholar, statesman and philosopher, Jefferson was far above most of those with whom he had to deal.  In religion he was a freethinker.  He was foremost in all matters pertaining to education, art and science, and introduced many improvements and modifications of the old systems.  He took great interest in the development of the internal resources of the country, and accomplished considerable in that direction.  In some of his political theories he went to extremes; but in practice these were modified.

In his administration of public affairs he encountered the bitterest opposition from a class unable to comprehend either his genius or character.  To this class, who believed in distinctions other than social, the idea was intolerable that the farmer, the blacksmith, and the shoemaker should stand upon equal political footing with the minister, the lawyer or the gentleman of family, though the one might be man of sense and the other but an educated imbecile.  These men resided principally in New England, where by their wealth and influence they controlled the pulpit, the forum and the press; and through these channels they poured a flood of slander and abuse.  But his fame has outlived detraction; and there are few to-day who will deny Thomas Jefferson the character of a great and good man.

Henry W. Rugg, 1888:

The thoughts of manhood always return in fond remembrance to childhood's home and surroundings, and it is a cause for congratulation when such memories bring to mind the outward beauties of natural scenery and the tender recollections of a happy family gathered under the sheltering roof-tree.  So the lad, Thomas Jefferson, born April 2, 1743, in Shadwell, Albemarle County, Virginia, must have been influenced by the attractive scenes which met his view, the far-reaching undulations of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the encircling forests and the peaceful valleys and slopes of a well-cared-for and prosperous farming district.  The home was a cultured one for those times, the husband and father, Peter Jefferson, possessing some wealth and considerable education; quite a prominent man in the hamlet where he lived, and believing in the helps of acquired knowledge for his children.  Thus the boy Thomas Jefferson was encouraged in his studious tendencies, had a private tutor for Greek and Latin, and was well-prepared to enter an advanced class in William and Mary College in 1760, graduating from that institution in 1762, when but nineteen years of age.  The quiet youth pursued his studies in an earnest love for the acquirement of knowledge, and had a rare faculty for the languages, an almost equal ability for science and mathematics, so that his mind was well-balanced and equipped for mature efforts.  Having many advantages of position, and the wealth to make his college life a gay one, Jefferson was a student from the love of learning, and his

Thomas Jefferson
by Mather Brown, c. 1786

simple, regular habits, his upright principles, his courteous manners, early developed, characterized him throughout his entire life.

When Jefferson decided to enter the legal profession he began the study of law with Mr. George Wythe, then holding foremost rank among the lawyers of Virginia.  Jefferson was admitted to practice in 1767, and won immediate success at the bar. Although possessing a weak voice and an unimpressive manner, which kept him from being an effective and eloquent speaker, he had the quick perceptions, the power of application, the learning, which made him a skillful and successful advocate, as he soon came to be regarded among the profession and elsewhere.  He acquired some means in the practice of law, thus adding to the considerable property which had been left him by his father, who died in 1757.  Thus he prospered, until the plantation of 1,900 acres, which came to him by inheritance, was increased in 1774 to 5,000 acres, owned without incumbrance.

Jefferson's public life may be said to have begun with his election to the House of Burgesses in 1768, an office which he continued to fill by repeated elections until the Provincial Legislature was closed by the Revolution.  Before his election to the House of Burgesses, he had been aroused by the oppressions of the British government in dealing with the American colonies, and was ready to aid in a resistance of the mother country to the utmost of his ability.  When a law student, in 1765, he had listened to Patrick Henry's celebrated speech against the Stamp Act, in the Virginia House of Delegates, and from that time he was committed heart and soul to the cause of American independence and linked to the band of patriots in Virginia and Massachusetts, working so enthusiastically for their country's rights.  His first decisive action of a public nature was taken in 1769, when the governor dissolved the Virginia Legislature five days after its organization, and the members, Jefferson among them, meeting in a hall, signed their names to a document, agreeing to stand together and co-operate with Massachusetts in her resistance of the Stamp Act.

During the next two or three years Jefferson was busily occupied in preparing a residence at Monticello, a beautifully situated home, afterwards a historic place, whose walls ever held a reputation for the graceful and abundant hospitalities of its owner.  On the first day of the year, 1772, Mr. Jefferson married Mrs. Martha Skelton, a beautiful, highly-accomplished, and wealthy widow of Williamsburg, Virginia.

The events that gave rise to the American Revolution followed each other in quick succession. Great Britain continued her harsh measures in dealing with the colonies, and so encouraged the growing feeling of resistance in the hearts of the people.  The patriotic leaders in the new world, Jefferson among the number, at first thought to avoid an actual conflict of arms with England, but when it was seen that war was inevitable, these men were soon convinced that the colonies must make a bold push for freedom.  As

Thomas Jefferson
by Charles Willson Peale, c. 1791

early as 1774 Jefferson was in correspondence with able patriots, advocating the making of a common cause by the colonies in vigorously resisting the pretensions of the British Crown.  At this time and shortly after, when the crisis was still impending, he wrote and published several notable articles bearing upon the condition of affairs in his country.

Under the intensified feeling aroused by the passage of the Boston Port Bill and the harsh enforcement of its provisions, a convention was called in Virginia to consider and act upon the alarming situation.  Jefferson, who was a member of this body, gave intelligent advice which was regarded in almost every action that was taken.  He was soon after elected to the General Congress then

Thomas Jefferson
by Rembrandt Peale, 1805

sitting at Philadelphia, taking his seat in June, 1775, eight days after Colonel George Washington had been chosen Commander-in-Chief of the American armies.

       Jefferson soon identified himself with the measures and movements in that Congress, which culminated in the Declaration of Independence.  As the coercive action of England increased, the delegates in Congress, together with their constituents generally, felt more in favor of independence.  After the battle of Lexington, April 19, 1775, the common feeling became manifest that there was only one course to pursue — the Colonies must strike for complete

Thomas Jefferson
by Gilbert Stuart, c. 1806

freedom and seek to establish a nation.  Congress had already passed a resolution declaring "that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States," and soon a committee was appointed to draft a resolution in accordance therewith.  This committee was composed of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston.  Jefferson wrote the declaration, though a few of its sentences were suggested by other members of the committee.  It was adopted July 4, 1776, and received throughout the country with great rejoicing.

Jefferson participated in efforts to reorganize the Government of the Confederation, and prosecute the war of independence to a successful issue.  He was an important factor on the American side in the long, hard contest.  At the darkest period he was elected governor of Virginia, succeeding Patrick Henry. Soon after Virginia suffered greatly from the English troops that, with General Tarleton in command, were seeking to capture Governor Jefferson, at Monticello.  He escaped, but his estates at Elk Hill were seized by the enemy and left a waste.  The conduct of Jefferson, as governor, was criticised in many respects, but it has been shown that he tried to act in harmony with Washington's policy; and on his retirement, the thanks of the Assembly were voted him in acknowledgment of his services while holding the gubernatorial office.

In 1782, he was appointed member of a commission to negotiate a treaty with Great Britain, but the negotiations advanced so rapidly that he was not called to go abroad; he reported in Congress the next year the treaty, which was shortly afterwards ratified. During the year 1784 he visited several of the capitals of Europe, and was associated with Adams and Franklin in attempting negotiations, efforts which were not at the time completely successful.  In March, 1785, he succeeded Dr. Franklin at the Court of France, retaining the position till 1789, when he returned to the United States, entering, the year following, upon the duties of Secretary of State in Washington's Cabinet, a position which he held till December 31, 1793.  At that time he resigned the office and retired to private life at Monticello.  While Secretary he antagonized many of the measures approved by the President, especially those originated by Mr. Hamilton, Secretary of the Treasury, between whom and himself there were great differences of opinion on political matters.  Mr. Jefferson led the opposition to the Federal Administration, and helped form the party called Republican by its friends, and Democratic by its enemies.  In 1796 he was candidate for the presidency against John Adams; the latter was elected, and Jefferson was inaugurated as Vice-President, March 4, 1797.  In 1800, Jefferson was again nominated for the presidency and, after a hotly-contested campaign, was successful; he was inaugurated at Washington as third President of the United States, March 4, 1801.  He was re-elected to a second term, serving eight years in all, and

Thomas Jefferson
by Thomas Sully, 1821

conducting an administration marked by signal events, and by increasing prosperity and progress throughout the country.

       Among the important events which illumine the administration of Jefferson are the closing of the African slave-trade, the extermination of the Algerine pirates, the exploration and development of the Western territories, and especially the purchase of Louisiana.  President Jefferson was greatly criticised by his contemporaries for his course in buying this vast tract of land, including a region of nearly nine hundred thousand square miles, extending westward from the Mississippi to the Rocky Mountains and northward from Mexico to British America.  The President may have exceeded his constitutional authority in securing this immense territory for the United States, but he showed a wise and far-seeing statesmanship in this transaction, for which he assumed the responsibility, and which now stands as the crowning achievement of his administration.

       President Jefferson, although urged by his party and many friends to be again a candidate for re-election, refused the honor, and on March 4, 1809, after a continuous public service of more than forty years, laid aside the duties of President, and retired to his home at Monticello.  He lived there for more than seventeen years as a private citizen, yet regarded as one of the most illustrious personages in the Republic.  His advice was frequently sought and followed in political and other matters.  Thus his usefulness to the Nation and the community continued through these declining years of his life.  Although President Jefferson had suffered many reverses of fortune during his public career, losing most of his property and coming in these later years to comparative poverty, having experienced family sorrows in the loss of wife and daughter, and failing in many of his cherished plans and undertakings, his noble character sustained and gave him courage, so that he was cheerful and brave-hearted to the end of life.

The illness of Mr. Jefferson was a brief one.  He died at Monticello, July 4, 1826, his life-long friend, although sometimes his political opponent and rival, John Adams, dying on the same day.  This date is memorable as the fiftieth anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, in the framing of which Jefferson and Adams were both interested, Jefferson drafting the famous document and doing so much for its support.  In estimating the character of Jefferson it may be truly said that a love of freedom and toleration sank deep into his nature, and to promote the cause of liberty he was willing to work with brain and hand, to endure opposition and hardships, to hold office, or, at the call of duty, relinquish honors, that his country might win in the struggle for truth and the right.  A nation lives in such heroic souls as these, and, as his more enlightened countrymen of to-day pay their tributes to the hero and patriot, they think with wonder of Jefferson's abilities as student and statesman; as philanthropist, when the humanities were not encouraged as now; as founder of a university at Charlottesburg, Virginia, when education was by no means the ruling power it is to-day, and realize the security and strength of the Republic as it embodies the life-principles of such men as these, such pillars of mighty thoughts and giant deeds.

Thomas Jefferson
by Gilbert Stuart, c. 1821