Thomas Jefferson's Beliefs

Thomas Jefferson. His name struck awe in the hearts of many, and still strikes some today. Contrary to what some would say, he is not just the old fart on the nickel. He was not only the writer of the Declaration of Independence, but he was also the third President of the United States of America, constructor of Monticello, founder of the University of Virginia, and more. He was raised as an Anglican, but was influenced by English Deists, later even going on to tell his nephew, "Question with boldness even the existence of a god; because, if there be one, he must more approve the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear..." in the spirit of the Enlightenment. However, the real reasons I want to talk about him in this essay is his intriguing

lifestyle, his passion for politics, and his interesting history.

His lifestyle is very different yet the same for me and you; as we rise whenever we wanted, he “rose with the sun.” He kept records of the temperature, soaked his feet in water near his fireplace, recorded other measurements (probably including but not limited to wind, size of the farm, etc.), and dressed. He ate freshly prepared breakfast in his Dining Room (and/or Tea Room) with his family and possible guests. Afterwards, he went to write letters for a lengthy period, estimated to be 6-9 hours, in his Cabinet, or office. It contained bookstands, a chair, a table, an innovative copying machine, and filing presses for organization. However, as he grew older, he broke his wrist in France, making writing slow and laborious, even when using special tools designed for support while writing. This made him start to distract himself from writing by working in his Greenhouse, planting and working with tools. After finishing his letters, he inspected his plantation and the supplies gained/ lost from the day’s work, including rations given out, crops harvested/planted, etc. He then went to his farm, which served as a laboratory and food source. Before dinner, he went back to Monticello to greet any new guests and introduce them to the grandness of his home, possibly discussing art, politics, and the artifacts he kept throughout the house. At late afternoon, he ate dinner in the aforementioned Dining Room (and/or Tea Room). Jefferson, his family, and guests then enjoyed Monticello’s gardens via a nice stroll. They could have possibly gone to Jefferson’s parlor afterwards and enjoyed some music, games, etc. If not, Jefferson may have retired early to his private suite, which contained a telescope, books, chairs, and more. This would be the end of Jefferson’s daily routine, giving him time to possibly think about politics, something that greatly influenced his adult life, as it was his job.

Before the war, Jefferson served as a member of the House of Burgesses, and later Virginian legislature.

There, he passed a law for religious freedom. He later joined the Continental Congress and wrote the Declaration of Independence. He served as the second minister to France in the years following the war, resigning in 1793. He then joined in the political debates over the new nation. Jefferson was a Democratic Republican in the new nation of America, which meant he was against strong centralized government that the Federalists, the other party (conservative), pushed. He was advocate for the rights of states and was the first of his party to become President. This led to him cutting a few taxes, ironically also reducing the national debt during his time by a third, and investing in the expansion of the country, even though it wasn’t explicitly constitutional. The Lewis and Clark Expedition, Pike Expeditions, and the Louisiana Purchase all exemplify this. He also sent a proper naval fleet to battle the Barbary Pirates that were harassing American merchant ships. Jefferson was also a sympathizer for France, but did not want to get involved in Europe, as we were such a young nation then. Jefferson never sent forces to help in the bloody French Revolution(s? It’s never really clear) or the Napoleonic Wars (via a trade embargo), but that didn’t stop both the British and French Navies from illegally boarding ships and enlisting troops that weren’t their own. His presidency

ended in 1809 when James Madison took office. Now retired, he headed to Monticello to write, read, and cultivate (and also eventually die).

According to conflicting sources, Jefferson was born in Shadwell (of Albemarle County), Virginia to Peter Jefferson, a successful land surveyor and planter, and Jane Rudolph, a person of higher Virginian social standing than most.

He inherited the Monticello estate at 26 and was a very well educated man, rivaling that of the most expensive tutoring in all of Europe. He began tutoring under Reverend James Maury at the age of nine, attended the College of William and Mary at sixteen, and further continued his law studies under George Wythe, a man who also went on to sign the Declaration of Independence. He started to attend the House of Burgesses in 1765, and was elected to it in 1769. He later went on to be a delegate for the Continental Congress in 1775 and later wrote the famous document itself, the Declaration of Independence. However, he returned home shortly after to tend to his very ill wife and children and because he missed the estate he called home. He was elected to be the Governor of Virginia in 1779, at a time when the nation was still at war. Being hesitant in his decision-making, he decided a military man would do this job much better than him. In 1781, he retired back to Monticello to tend to his still ill wife, write, and work with plants. During this time, he wrote Notes on the State of Virginia, which he never really finished, and his wife, Martha Jefferson, died. This lead him into a depression that his eldest daughter said he “[N]ever really recovered

from.” However, he was called back into service by Washington the next year to negotiate peace with Britain, but didn’t go as peace was settled as he had just planned to sail out. He succeeded Franklin as minister to France and wrote the bill denoting US measurements in the following years. In 1789, he returned home, joined the Continental Congress for a bit, then got appointed Secretary of State by George Washington. He resigned from the cabinet and 1793 to form the Democrat-Republican party when he was at odds with fellow members Alexander Hamilton and John Adams, who he thought were too totalitarian. He ran for President in 1796 and lost to Adams. He later won in 1801, writing the 12th Amendment, which prevented political enemies from occupying President and Vice President, to prevent a repetition of his run as Vice President under John Adams. He retired from office in 1808 to Monticello to continue private works. He started the Library of Congress in 1815 and died in 1826, only wanting to be remembered as “[T]he author of the Declaration of Independence, and as the founder of the University of Virginia.”

All in all, Jefferson was not only a great president, but an amazing man that served his country in many important situations. These include writing the Declaration of Independence, becoming President, making the Louisiana Purchase, funding the following Lewis and Clark and Pike Expeditions, and reducing our national debt by cutting taxes (somehow). His liberalism may have even helped shape the country today, for if he had not fought for separate state rights back then, we may have a more centralized and conservative Federalist mass of states, with everyone being ruled by the few that make up the House, Senate, Supreme Court, and Presidential Cabinet, if they even were to exist. Jefferson even set up the future outside of the government by setting up the University of Virginia. And even now, his knowledge and respect now replaces what you had in your head before reading this; as you can see now, he isn’t just the old fart on the nickel.

Works Cited

Monticello and the University of Virginia. “Monticello.” “Thomas Jefferson, A Brief Biography.” Web. Tuesday, December 1, 2015. 2015

ushistory.org. “Signers of the Declaration of Independence.” “Thomas Jefferson.” Web. Tuesday, December 1, 2015. 2015.

White House. “White House.” “Thomas Jefferson.” Web. Tuesday, December 1, 2015. 2015.