Thomas Jefferson: Architect of American Liberty
Next up, James Madison: Author of the American Republic.
The March Tank Talk at Heritage Brewing Co. was a blast! Jefferson’s story is full of intrigue. Thank you so much to everyone who came out. It is great to see so many people engaged in America’s story. Below is the story of Jefferson I shared. We had a great conversation throughout the night. I broke it down into three parts. Jefferson the man, philosopher, and partisan.
Jefferson the Man.
Thomas Jefferson, born on April 13, 1743, in Shadwell, Virginia, was an American Founding Father, the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, and the third President of the United States. He was deeply interested in various fields, including architecture, science, and philosophy; Jefferson advocated for liberty and the separation of powers. Before his presidency, he served as the Governor of Virginia, the U.S. Minister to France, the first Secretary of State under George Washington, and Vice President under John Adams.
Jefferson’s father, Peter Jefferson was a prominent Virginia planter, surveyor, and public official. He was well-educated and thoughtful. He had an adventurous spirit and loved exploration. He was instrumental in mapping Virginia's Piedmont region, co-authoring the "Fry-Jefferson Map" in 1751, which was the most accurate map of Virginia available at the time. He created a comfortable life for Thomas. Peter passed when Thomas was just 14. Jefferson's mother, Jane Jefferson, shaped her son into a well-mannered and proper man. She inspired Thomas’s love of art, teaching him music and dancing.
As a young boy and throughout adulthood, Thomas was a voracious reader. He was also a diligent and thoughtful student. Sometimes disappearing into his studies.
Thomas Jefferson married Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson and had six children together, although only two survived to adulthood.
1. Martha Washington Jefferson Randolph (1772–1836), known as "Patsy" in her youth.
2. Jane Randolph Jefferson (1774–1775), who died in infancy.
3. A son (1777), who was stillborn.
4. Mary Wayles Jefferson Eppes (1778–1804), known as "Polly" and later "Maria."
5. Lucy Elizabeth Jefferson (1780–1781), who died in infancy.
6. Lucy Elizabeth Jefferson (1782–1785), the second daughter to be named Lucy Elizabeth, also died young.
Martha Jefferson herself died in 1782, a few months after the birth of her last child, leaving Thomas a widower.
Sally Hemings was an enslaved woman of mixed race owned by Thomas Jefferson. She was Martha Jefferson's half-sister. They shared the same father, John Wayles. After John Wayles's death, Elizabeth Hemings and her children, including Sally, came into the possession of Thomas and Martha Jefferson as part of Martha's inheritance. Jefferson began an intimate relationship with Sally sometime after Martha’s passing.
Jefferson the Philosopher.
Jefferson’s political philosophy was grounded in the idea that all people are created equal under the laws of nature. He believed political sovereignty is found in the people and that government is best when it reflects them. He supported republican government with separations of powers divested into a representative elective system. He believed in strong executive power limited by the states and people. During his political career, he wrote and proposed multiple constitutions for federal and state legislatures. In his only full-length published book, Notes on the State of Virginia, Jefferson explored his political philosophy, among other topics such as natural history, law, and commerce.
Jefferson the Partisan.
Jefferson and James Madison led the Republican Party against Alexander Hamilton, John Adams, and the Federalist Party. The Republicans were the popular party; they represented the common man, farmers, and small industry. They believed in a strong central government that flowed through the state and federal legislature. The Federalists represented wealthy aristocrats and commerce. They believed in a strong central government dictated by the executive.
The Republicans worked from the bottom up, allowing more people a say in the process. The Federalists worked from the top down to stabilize the new Union. The Republicans believed the people should write the rules from the legislature. The Federalists believed the executive and judiciary should set the rules for the people.
While Jefferson had a balanced view of life and power, becoming a partisan tilted his balance. This led him to cut out people from his life who challenged him. He resigned from George Washington’s cabinet, leaving before the second term ended. He stopped corresponding with John Adams after years of friendship, including mentoring his oldest, John Quincy Adams.
In 1796, John Adams, as Vice President, sent Jefferson a book on the French Revolution, but Jefferson was unreceptive to Adams's perspective. Writing back, “I will not promise therefore to read it thoroughly.” Jefferson and Adams did not write to each other the entire time Jefferson was Adams’s Vice President. They did eventually bury the hatchet corresponding through letters until their deaths on July 4th, 1826.
Jefferson may have achieved the presidency without Washington and Adams, but he lost something important. “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” His relationship with Madison only sharpened one side of his political blade; if he had communicated with Adams while as Vice President, his political thought would have been sharper, and both the country and their relationships would have benefited.
Jefferson was a man of power and intrigue. He was balanced yet partisan. He was good and bad. He was a man who accomplished great things in a great way—securing freedom and liberty for millions of future Americans.
Join me on April 22nd at Heritage for our next Tank Talk. James Madison: Author of the American Republic.
James Madison was the man behind the Philadelphia Convention and the Constitution. He wrote 29 essays in the Federalist Papers, was Secretary of State under Thomas Jefferson, and was the Fourth President of the United States.
I can’t wait! Hope to see you there!
Peace and Love,
Jeff Mayhugh