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Format: 2024-03
Format: 2024-03

Extract from Thomas Jefferson to William Johnson, 12 June 1823 [Quote]

on every question of construction, carry ourselves back to the time when the constitution was adopted, recollect the spirit manifested in the debates, & instead of trying what meaning may be squeezed out of the text, or invented against it, conform to the probable one in which it was past.

Extract from Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 30 Aug. 1823 [Quote]

the committee of 5. met ... they unanimously pressed on myself alone to undertake the draught. I consented; I drew it; but before I reported it to the committee, I communicated it separately to Dr. Franklin and mr Adams requesting their corrections; because they were the two members of whose...

Extract from Thomas Jefferson to Adamantios Coray, 31 Oct. 1823 [Quote]

the equal rights of man, and the happiness of every individual are now acknoleged to be the only legitimate objects of government. modern times have the signal advantage too of having discovered the only device by which these rights can be secured, to wit, government by the people.

Extract from Thomas Jefferson to Jared Sparks, 4 Feb. 1824 [Quote]

In the disposition of these unfortunate people, there are two rational objects to be distinctly kept in view. 1. the establishment of a colony on the coast of Africa, which may introduce among the Aborigines the arts of cultivated life, and the blessings of civilisation and science. by doing this...

Extract from the Diary of John Quincy Adams, 23 May 1824 [Quote]

23. VII. ... Mr Hay spoke as he always does with extreme bitterness of Mr Jefferson, whom he declares to be one of the most insincere men in the world ... Mr Jefferson – His enmity to Mr Monroe was inveterate though disquised, and he was at the bottom of all the opposition to Mr Monroe in Virginia.

Extract from Thomas Jefferson to John Cartwright, 5 June 1824 [Quote]

Our revolution commenced on more favorable ground. it presented us an Album on which we were free to write what we pleased. we had no occasion to search into musty records, to hunt up Royal parchments, or to investigate the laws & institutions of a semi-barbarous ancestry. we appealed to...

Extract from Thomas Jefferson to John Cartwright, 5 June 1824 [Quote]

the constitutions of most of our states assert that all power is inherent in the people; that they may exercise it by themselves, in all cases to which they think themselves competent, (as in electing their functionaries executive and legislative, and deciding by a jury of themselves, both fact...

Extract from Thomas Jefferson to John Cartwright, 5 June 1824 [Quote]

With respect to our state and federal governments, I do not think their relations correctly understood by foreigners. they generally suppose the former subordinate to the latter. but this is not the case. they are co-ordinate departments of one simple, and integral whole. to the State governments...

Extract from Thomas Jefferson to John Cartwright, 5 June 1824 [Quote]

the Creator has made the earth for the living, not the dead. rights and powers can only belong to persons, not to things, the dead are not even things. not to mere matter, unendowed with will. the dead are not even things. the particles of matter which composed their bodies, make part now of the...

Extract from Thomas Jefferson to Richard Rush, 5 June 1824 [Quote]

Congress has just risen, having done nothing remarkable, except passing a tariff bill, by squeezing majorities, very revolting to a great portion of the people of the states, among whom, it is believed, it would not have recieved a vote but of the manufactories manufactorers themselves. it is...

Extract from Draft of Thomas Jefferson to Henry Lee, 10 Aug. 1824 [Quote]

I am no believer in the amalgamation of parties, nor do I consider it as either desirable or useful for the public; but only that, like religious differences, a difference in politics should never be permitted to enter into social intercourse, or to disturb its friendships, its charities or justice.