Thomas Jefferson was one of the younger members of
the Continental Congress, but he was already recognized as a strong writer
having penned "The Causes and Necessity
of Taking Up Arms" in 1775. John Adams had good reason for selecting Jefferson
to write a Declaration
of Independence. Not only could Jefferson write, he was a southerner.
Adams knew he could not personally sway the South to support the cause. The
spokesman had to be one of their own. Jefferson and the committee hammered
out the draft in three days. And when it was done, the Declaration
of Independence became a document for the ages. If Jefferson had never
achieved another feat of greatness, this would have been enough to save his
place in history.
In 1777, Jefferson wrote "The Virginia Statute of
Religious Freedom", setting the tone for religious tolerance which has
been a hallmark of our democracy throughout our history. Of all the accomplishments
he could have included in his epitaph, this was one of only three he requested
on his tomb stone.
Thomas Jefferson served as the second Governor of Virginia from 1779-1781.
He followed in the footsteps of Patrick Henry, and worked diligently even
as the American Revolution wore on. In fact, in June 0f 1781, Jefferson and
the General Assembly met in Charlottesville in the hopes they would be safe
there from British attack. The infamous Lord Tarleton's regiment advanced
on Charlottesville, though, and would have captured the entire colony's leaders
had it not been for the heroism of Jack Jouett. He had learned
of the British plan and, much like Paul Revere of Boston, rode ahead to warn
of the coming danger. It is said Jefferson was leaving the lawns of Monticello
as the British were entering the house.
From 1783-1789, Jefferson was a member of Congress. At the same time,
he assisted Benjamin Franklin and John Adams in France making treaties with
the nations of Europe. By 1784, Jefferson had succeeded Franklin as Minister
to France. This was an exciting time leading up to the French Revolution.
The French looked up to Jefferson as a leader of the American Revolution,
and he enjoyed his role. Here he met Maria Cosway, who swept
Jefferson off his feet (he had been widowed for five years). During a stroll
together, Jefferson broke his wrist trying to jump a fence. That wrist would
bother him for the rest of his life.
Jefferson served as Washington's Secretary of State from 1789-1794.
He had many disagreements with the Secretary of the treasury, Alexander Hamilton.
While Jefferson believed "that government is best which governs least", Hamilton
wanted a strong central government with a national bank.
It got to the point where Washington invited both men to Mount Vernon, each
unbeknownst to the other, and insisted that they dine alone together until
they could work out their differences. Both men had such respect for Washington
they did just that. Hamilton got his strong national bank and Jefferson got
the location for the new national capital moved to the south. Nonetheless,
this disagreement on the basis for government became the foundation for our
two original parties: Hamilton's Federalists and Jefferson's Anti-Federalists.
Jefferson ran for President in 1796, but lost to John
Adams. Jefferson became Adams' Vice-President. It was after Adam's Presidency
that Thomas Jefferson served as third President of the United States.
Thomas Jefferson was one of the younger members of
the Continental Congress, but he was already recognized as a strong writer
having penned "The Causes and Necessity
of Taking Up Arms" in 1775. John Adams had good reason for selecting Jefferson
to write a Declaration
of Independence. Not only could Jefferson write, he was a southerner.
Adams knew he could not personally sway the South to support the cause. The
spokesman had to be one of their own. Jefferson and the committee hammered
out the draft in three days. And when it was done, the Declaration
of Independence became a document for the ages. If Jefferson had never
achieved another feat of greatness, this would have been enough to save his
place in history. In 1777, Jefferson wrote "The Virginia Statute of
Religious Freedom", setting the tone for religious tolerance which has
been a hallmark of our democracy throughout our history. Of all the accomplishments
he could have included in his epitaph, this was one of only three he requested
on his tomb stone.Thomas Jefferson served as the second Governor of Virginia from 1779-1781. He followed in the footsteps of Patrick Henry, and worked diligently even as the American Revolution wore on. In fact, in June 0f 1781, Jefferson and the General Assembly met in Charlottesville in the hopes they would be safe there from British attack. The infamous Lord Tarleton's regiment advanced on Charlottesville, though, and would have captured the entire colony's leaders had it not been for the heroism of Jack Jouett. He had learned of the British plan and, much like Paul Revere of Boston, rode ahead to warn of the coming danger. It is said Jefferson was leaving the lawns of Monticello as the British were entering the house.
From 1783-1789, Jefferson was a member of Congress. At the same time,
he assisted Benjamin Franklin and John Adams in France making treaties with
the nations of Europe. By 1784, Jefferson had succeeded Franklin as Minister
to France. This was an exciting time leading up to the French Revolution.
The French looked up to Jefferson as a leader of the American Revolution,
and he enjoyed his role. Here he met Maria Cosway, who swept
Jefferson off his feet (he had been widowed for five years). During a stroll
together, Jefferson broke his wrist trying to jump a fence. That wrist would
bother him for the rest of his life.Jefferson served as Washington's Secretary of State from 1789-1794.
He had many disagreements with the Secretary of the treasury, Alexander Hamilton.
While Jefferson believed "that government is best which governs least", Hamilton
wanted a strong central government with a national bank.
It got to the point where Washington invited both men to Mount Vernon, each
unbeknownst to the other, and insisted that they dine alone together until
they could work out their differences. Both men had such respect for Washington
they did just that. Hamilton got his strong national bank and Jefferson got
the location for the new national capital moved to the south. Nonetheless,
this disagreement on the basis for government became the foundation for our
two original parties: Hamilton's Federalists and Jefferson's Anti-Federalists.Jefferson ran for President in 1796, but lost to John Adams. Jefferson became Adams' Vice-President. It was after Adam's Presidency that Thomas Jefferson served as third President of the United States.
