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Category Archives: Leadership
Thomas Jefferson on doing what he said he would do
The session of the first Congress, convened since republicanism has recovered its ascendancy … will pretty completely fulfil all the desires of the people. They have reduced the army and navy to what is barely necessary. They are disarming executive patronage and preponderance, by putting down one-half the offices of the United States, which are no longer necessary. These economies have enabled them to suppress all the internal taxes, and still to make such provision for the payment of their public debt as to discharge that in eighteen years. They have lopped off a parasite limb, planted by their predecessors on their judiciary for party purposes, and they are opening the doors of hospitality to the fugitives from the oppressions of other countries.
To General Kosciousko, 1802, 1582
Patrick Lee’s Explanation
The election of 1800 was a sea change. Though political parties weren’t officially established, those known as federalists (John Adams, Alexander Hamilton and their followers) controlled the Presidency, both houses of Congress and the judiciary. Those opposed, with Thomas Jefferson at the helm, were anti-federalists and coming to be known as republicans (small r). The 1800 election turned both the Presidency and the Congress from federalist to republican control. The courts remained dominated by federalists.
This letter was written after the first republican Congress. Note the changes Jefferson attributes “since republicanism has recovered its ascendancy”:
1. The military forces had been reduced to bare adequacy.
2. The President’s influence had been reduced by cutting half of the executive offices.
3. Because of these economies, taxes had been reduced.
4. There was still enough government revenue to make payments on the public debt, with the goal of eliminating that debt in 18 years. (Imagine that!)
5. The court system, which had been expanded by the federalists, had been reduced.
6. Oppressed immigrants from other nations were made to feel welcome.
These were all positions that Jefferson promoted before his election. Less than two years into office, with a cooperative Congress, Jefferson was doing what he said he would do.
How is your life better today because of Jefferson’s influence?
Find out! Invite him to speak to your audience.
Call Patrick Lee, 573-657-2739
Thomas Jefferson on the futility of arguing
Think you can convince an opponent?
In stating prudential rules for our government in society, I must not omit the important one of never entering into dispute or argument with another. I never saw an instance of one of two disputants convincing the other by argument. I have seen many, on their getting warm, becoming rude, and shooting one another … When I hear another express an opinion which is not mine, I say to myself, he has a right to his opinion, as I to mine; why should I question it? His error does me no injury, and shall I become a Don Quixote, to bring all men by force of argument to one opinion? If a fact be misstated, it is probable he is gratified by a belief of it, and I have no right to deprive him of the gratification. If he wants information, he will ask it, and then I will give it in measured terms; but if he still believes his own story, and shows a desire to dispute the fact with me, I hear him and say nothing. It is his affair, not mine, if he prefers error.
Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Jefferson Randolph, 1808, 2242
Patrick Lee’s Explanation
Let me summarize Jefferson’s points, written to his 16-year-old grandson, about maintaining civility in government:
1. Don’t argue with another.
2. I’ve never seen one person convince another in argument.
3. On the contrary, I’ve seen anger, rudeness and injury or death (from duels) arise from argument.
4. When I heard an opinion contrary to mine, I reminded myself of another’s right to that opinion.
5. Why should I question someone who disagreed with me?
6. Another’s opinion, even in error, doesn’t harm me.
7. Should I, like Don Quixote, force others to agree with me?
8. If someone is wrong in his facts, he probably enjoys his position, even though he is in error.
9. Why should I deprive him of the pleasure of his position, even though I believe it to be wrong?
10. If he wants my opinion, he will ask for it, and I will answer carefully.
11. If he still holds his position and still wants to argue, I will listen and say nothing.
12. If he prefers to be wrong, it is his issue, not mine.
Although this advice specifically pertained to people in government, where strong opposing passions often exist, Jefferson would apply these guidelines to all areas of human interaction.
I’ve read some of Dale Carnegie’s writings. His best-known book was written in 1936, How to Win Friends and Influence People. On the subject above, Jefferson and Carnegie would be soul mates.
Mr. Jefferson will seek common ground, similarities with your audience.
Call Patrick Lee, 573-657-2739
Thomas Jefferson on giving credit where credit’s due
What would (pick someone you admire) do?
I had the good fortune to become acquainted very early with some characters of very high standing, and to feel the incessant wish that I could ever become what they were. Under temptations and difficulties, I would ask myself what would Dr. Small, Mr. Wythe, Peyton Randolph do in this situation? What course in it will insure me their approbation? I am certain that this mode of deciding on my conduct, tended more to its correctness than any reasoning powers I possessed.
Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Jefferson Randolph, 1808, 1470
Patrick Lee’s Explanation
The men cited as positive role models were ones he met when he attended the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg. He began schooling there in 1760, just before he turned 17.
Dr. Small was Jefferson’s professor for most classes. Mr. Wythe was a lawyer and the one who would later direct Jefferson’s five year preparation for the bar. Peyton Randolph was his mother’s cousin and a leader in Virginia’s colonial government.
When tempted or tried, Jefferson asked himself:
1. What would these men do in this situation?
2. What action of mine would guarantee their approval?
Jefferson was very self-disciplined and self-controlled. He said the lasting influence of these men had more affect on his conduct than did any of his own intellect.
Jefferson’s father died when he was 14, so he lacked that influence as he matured. The recipient of this letter was his 16 year old grandson.
Your audience will admire the role model Thomas Jefferson is for 21st century Americans!
Call Patrick Lee, 573-657-2739
Thomas Jefferson on making friends quarrel
Can private friendship survive public disagreement?
The way to make friends quarrel is to put them in disputation under the public eye. An experience of near twenty years has taught me that few friendships stand this test, and that public assemblies, where every one is free to act and speak, are the most powerful looseners of the bands of private friendship.
Thomas Jefferson to General Washington, 1784, 1271
Patrick Lee’s Explanation
Does this sound like what’s happening between Democrats and Republicans in Congress today? In private settings, Representatives and Senators might have been friends. Having to disagree in public, though, could be destructive of those friendships.
Jefferson was not writing about Congress, however. He was writing about the Cincinnati Society, a fraternal association of military officers from the Revolutionary War. Formed in 1783, George Washington was president of the Society.
Jefferson opposed the Society for several reasons. One is given here. These friendships were forged during the hardships of war and battle, where unity of purpose prevailed. When they gathered later as Society members, that same unity would be gone. There would be disagreements over direction of the Society. Those disagreements, carried on “under the public eye,” couldn’t help but undermine earlier friendships. Jefferson thought the damage from lost friendships outweighed any benefit the Society would provide.
Jefferson was 41 when he wrote this. He referred to “an experience of near 20 years.” That would put him in his early 20s, as a new lawyer in the capital of Williamsburg. He was beginning to see what happened to men on the public stage. That included the House of Burgesses, Virginia’s governing assembly, which met in Williamsburg. That was a far cry from Congress today, yet he was already seeing the stresses that public disagreement put on private relationships.
Thomas Jefferson will bring unity to your audience, not division!
Call Patrick Lee, 573-657-2739
Thomas Jefferson on men of destiny
Were you born to be a public person?
But some men are born for the public. Nature by fitting them for the service of the human race on a broad scale, has stamped them with the evidences of her destination and their duty.
Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 1803, 5483
Patrick Lee’s Explanation
Spain had withdrawn America’s right to ship goods duty-free through New Orleans. Jefferson wasn’t too concerned about Spain, but he feared what France might do when they took over Louisiana and New Orleans. Restricting transport on the Mississippi River could strangle the trade of all U.S. goods produced for export west of the Appalachian Mountains.
The highest priority for President Jefferson was to purchase New Orleans or some nearby land for another port, or to secure a guaranteed right of duty-free shipping from the French. Robert Livingstone was in Paris, negotiating to this end. Jefferson thought James Monroe’s presence might aid those critical negotiations.
This excerpt is from one of several letters Jefferson wrote to Monroe, prevailing on him to take on this responsibility. He didn’t order Monroe to the task, but he certainly built such a case that Monroe would find it difficult, if not impossible, to decline. And if all that were not enough to convince the reluctant Monroe, Jefferson added the two sentences above. He claimed Monroe was born for public duty, that it was his destiny.
Jefferson wasn’t declaring an empty sentiment for the purpose of pressuring his friend. He did believe in this type of calling, and that it applied to Monroe.
I suspect he would have denied that calling applied to himself, even two years into his Presidency.
Mr. Jefferson would be delighted to become a public person once again for your audience!
Call Patrick Lee, 573-657-2739
Thomas Jefferson on support of clergy
Do your leaders lead by example?
I think it as reasonable when our pastor builds a house, that each of his flock should give him an aid of a year’s contribution. I enclose mine as a tribute of justice, which of itself indeed is nothing, but as an example, if followed, may become something. In any event, be pleased to accept it as an offering of duty.
Thomas Jefferson to The Rev. Mr. Hatch, 1821, 1312
Patrick Lee’s Explanation
Earlier in this letter, Jefferson cited a practice from “ancient feudal times,” when a lord’s vassals would contribute an extra year’s rent to help their lord with some extraordinary expenses. Jefferson carried that practice forward to 1821, suggesting church members should likewise help their pastor finance the building of his home, with each member doubling their support in that one year.
It doesn’t appear that Jefferson was joining the crowd in doing so. Rather, he was leading the way by setting an example.
Jefferson’s opinions of some religious leaders and practices were caustic. He was also opposed to any governmental involvement in the support or hindrance of religion. Yet he was often generous in his private support of religious causes.
The Virginia Quarterly Review, Winter 1941, Vol. 17, No. 1, P. 513 identifies a Mr. Hatch as being the Episcopal rector in Charlottesville, who conducted services in the Court House. The following paragraph refers to him as “Rev. Mr. Hatch.”
Let Thomas Jefferson lead your audience by his example.
Invite him to speak!
Call Patrick Lee, 573-657-2739
Thomas Jefferson on elective office
If elective office appeals to you, why?
I have no ambition to govern men. It is a painful and thankless office.
Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 1796, 74
Patrick Lee’s Explanation
This is an interesting observation from a man who served as a state and national legislator, governor, Vice-President and President. This was written at the end of 1796, when President Washington was nearing the end of his second term. John Adams had been elected to succeed him. Jefferson, as leader of the anti-federalist interests, allowed his name to be on the Presidential ballot. Jefferson received the second largest number of electoral votes and was to become Vice-President.
Jefferson’s position might be best explained as one who rose to the challenge of leadership in his time, but it was nothing he aspired to. He was most content when separated from the world at Monticello , in the midst of his family, farms and books.
