Extract from Thomas Jefferson to James Ogilvie, 20 Feb. 1771 [Quote]
I have lately removed to the mountain ... I have here but one room, which, like the cobler’s, serves me for parlour for kitchen and hall. I may add, for bed chamber and study too.
Extract from Thomas Jefferson to Robert Skipwith, 3 Aug. 1771 [Quote]
a lively and lasting sense of filial duty is more effectually impressed on the mind of a son or daughter by reading King Lear, than by all the dry volumes of ethics and divinity that ever were written.
Extract from Thomas Jefferson’s Memoranda Books [Quote]
Let the exit of the spiral ... look on a small and distant part of the blue mountains. In the middle of the temple an altar, the sides of turf, the top a plain stone.
Extract from Thomas Jefferson’s Memoranda Books [Quote]
‘The pride, the pèrfume of the regions round’ Shenstone. Elegy. 16. ‘The fragrance of the bean’s perfùme’ ib. Ode on rural elegance.
Extract from Thomas Jefferson to Charles McPherson, 25 Feb. 1773 [Quote]
the glow of one warm thought is to me worth more than money.
Extract from Thomas Jefferson’s “Summary View of the Rights of British America,” July 1774 [Quote]
the whole art of government consists in the art of being honest.
Extract from Thomas Jefferson’s “Summary View of the Rights of British America,” July 1774 [Quote]
the god who gave us life, gave us liberty at the same time
Extract from Thomas Jefferson’s “Summary View of the Rights of British America,” July 1774 [Quote]
America was conquered, and her settlements made and firmly established, at the expence of individuals, and not of the British public. their own blood was spilt in acquiring lands for their settlement, their own fortunes expended in making that settlement effectual. for themselves they fought, for...
Extract from Thomas Jefferson’s “Summary View of the Rights of British America,” July 1774 [Quote]
can any one reason be assigned why 160,000 electors in the island of Great Britain should give law to four millions in the states of America
Extract from Thomas Jefferson’s “Summary View of the Rights of British America,” July 1774 [Quote]
it is neither our wish nor our interest to separate from her.
Extract from Thomas Jefferson’s “Summary View of the Rights of British America,” July 1774 [Quote]
this, Sire, is our last, our determined resolution ... to procure redress of these our great grievances, to quiet the minds of your subjects in British America against any apprehensions of future incroachment, to establish fraternal love and harmony thro’ the whole empire
Thomas Jefferson’s Land Grant for Natural Bridge and 157 Acres in Botetourt County, 5 July 1774
Thos Jefferson 157 acres Form pages George the third &c To all &c Know ye that for divers good Causes and Considerations but more especially for and in Consideration of the Sum of Twenty Shillings of good and lawful Money for our use paid to our Receiver General of our Revenues in this...
Extract from Thomas Jefferson’s Building Notebook, [ca. 1775] [Quote]
the frize to be ornamented with human figures as in Palladio B. 4. pl. 13.14.15.
Extract from Thomas Jefferson’s “Declaration of the Causes and Necessity for Taking Up Arms,” [26 June–6 July 1775] [Quote]
our attachment to no nation on earth should supplant our attachment to liberty.
Extract from Thomas Jefferson to John Randolph, 25 Aug. 1775 [Quote]
I am sorry the situation of our country should render it not eligible to you to remain longer in it. I hope the returning wisdom of Gr. Br. will e’er long put an end to this unnatural contest.
Extract from Thomas Jefferson to John Randolph, 25 Aug. 1775 [Quote]
I am sincerely one of those, & would rather be in dependance on Gr. Br. properly limited than on any nation upon earth, or than on no nation. but I am one of those too who rather than submit to the right of legislating for us assumed by the British parl. & which late experience has shewn...
Extract from Thomas Jefferson to John Randolph, 25 Aug. 1775 [Quote]
my first wish is a restoration of our just rights
Extract from Thomas Jefferson to John Randolph, 29 Nov. 1775 [Quote]
beleive me Dear Sir there is not in the British empire a man who more cordially loves a Union with Gr. Britain than I do.
Extract from Thomas Jefferson’s Farm Book, 1776 [Quote]
Number of souls in my family in Albemarle
Extract from the Autobiography of John Adams, April–August 1776 [Quote]
Mr Jefferson had the Reputation of a masterly Pen.
Extract from Thomas Jefferson’s Third Draft of the Virginia Constitution, [before 13 June 1776] [Quote]
From Jefferson’s Second Draft No person hereafter coming into this country shall be held in slavery under any pretext whatever. From Jefferson’s Third Draft No person hereafter coming into this country shall be held within the same in slavery under any pretext whatever.
Extract from Thomas Jefferson’s Drafts of the Virginia Constitution, [before 13 June 1776] [Quote]
From Jefferson’s First Draft no freeman shall ever be debarred the use of arms. From Jefferson’s Second Draft No freeman shall be debarred the use of arms [within his own lands or tenements]. From Jefferson’s Third Draft No freeman shall be debarred the use of arms [within his own lands or...
Extract from Thomas Jefferson’s Notes of Proceedings in the Continental Congress, 2 July 1776 [Quote]
Congress proceeded the same day to consider the declaration of Independance which had been reported & laid on the table the Friday preceding and on Monday referred to a commee of the whole. the pusillanimous idea that we had friends in England worth keeping terms with, still haunted the minds...
Extract from the Declaration of Independence, as adopted by Congress, 4 July 1776 [Quote]
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.
Extract from Thomas Jefferson’s Draft of the Declaration of Independence, 4 July 1776 [Quote]
When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for a people to advance from that subordination in which they have hitherto remained, & to assume among the powers of the earth the equal & independant station. ... We hold these truths to be sacred and undeniable; that all men are...