provided a link to www.JeffersonLeadership.com is included.
Category Archives: Independence
Thomas Jefferson’s first public paper, 1769
Resolutions of the Virginia House of Burgesses, May 8, 1769
Resolved, Nemine contradicente [none contradicting], That a humble and dutiful Address be presented to his Excellency the Governor [Botetourt], returning Thanks for his very affectionate Speech at the Opening of the Session;
Expressing our firm Attachment to his Majesty’s [King George III] sacred Person and Government, and a lively sense of his Royal Favour …
Declaring that we esteem, as a peculiar Mark of his Attention to our Happiness, the Appointment of his Lordship [Governor Botetourt] …
Joining, in Congratulations on the birth of another Princess …
Assuring his Excellency, that we shall, with Candour, proceed to …any Matters … which may in any wise affect the Interests of Great-Britain … on this ruling Principle, that her Interests , and ours, are inseparably the same; And finally, offering our Prayers, that Providence, and the Royal Pleasure, may long continue his Lordship the happy Ruler of a free and happy People.
Padover’s The Complete Jefferson, P. 3
Patrick Lee’s Explanation
Saul Padover, whose 1943 edit is the source of this excerpt, wrote a footnote, “This draft is interesting mainly because it is Jefferson’s first public paper. Twenty-six years old, he had just been elected to the Burgesses, where he was beginning to learn parliamentary rules, and particularly, the drafting of public papers and bills, an art in which he was to become a master.”
Very few of Jefferson’s pre-1770 writings remain. In that year, a fire destroyed Shadwell, his plantation home since birth. (Monticello is nearby, across the Rivanna River.) Practically all of his books and papers were lost.
All the flowery courtesies in this resolution notwithstanding, the Burgesses displeased Governor Botetourt with their votes on May 16. The Governor dissolved their assembly the next day. The Burgesses promptly reconvened at the Raleigh Tavern and continued their business.
Compare this language, so laudatory of the King of England, with the denunciations of that same king Jefferson would author just seven years later in the Declaration of Independence.
Mr. Jefferson promises not to use such flowery language
when he speaks to your audience! (NO Latin, either.)
Call Patrick Lee, 573-657-2739
Thomas Jefferson on acts of tyranny
Are terrorism and slavery connected?
Single acts of tyranny may be ascribed to the accidental opinion of a day; but a series of oppressions, begun at a distinguished period, and pursued unalterably through every change of ministers, too plainly prove a deliberate, systematical plan of reducing us to slavery.
Rights of British America, 1774, 8642
Patrick Lee’s Explanation
The full title of this document, published as a brochure, was Summary View of the Rights of British America. It is more commonly called Summary View.
Summary View is much longer than the Declaration of Independence which followed two years later but laid the groundwork for it. It outlined the rights and privileges of loyal British citizens, which most Americans considered themselves to be in 1774. Summary View also brought to public awareness the young lawyer from Virginia and his skill with the written word.
Although written for the delegates to the First Continental Congress about England, its king and their offenses toward the American colonies, it has relevance today. Just yesterday marked the 10th anniversary of the Al-Qaeda attacks on America. September 11 wasn’t a single offense, and it wasn’t their first one, but it certainly was the most noticeable act, a watershed in its an ongoing campaign “of reducing us to slavery.”
Thomas Jefferson’s lessons in fighting terrorists will benefit your audiences today!
Invite him to speak.
Call Patrick Lee, 573-657-2739
Thomas Jefferson on the most important birthday
Would you keep your birthday a secret?
Disapproving myself of transferring the honors and veneration for the great birthday of our Republic to any individual, or of dividing them with individuals, I have declined [to let] my own birthday be known, and have engaged my family not to communicate it. This has been the uniform answer to every application of the kind.
Thomas Jefferson to Levi Lincoln, 1803, 837
Patrick Lee’s Explanation
The birthdays of Presidents Washington and Adams were occasions for public and private celebrations. They were often society affairs, and Jefferson disliked the preening and posturing that occurred at such events.
When he became President, the leading citizens of Washington City (as the national capital was known then) wanted to know his birthday that they might celebrate it, too. He declined to tell them.
Raynor’s Life of Jefferson (P.18), quotes him saying, “The only birthday which I recognize is that of my country’s liberties [July 4].” (838)
Levi Lincoln was President Jefferson’s Attorney General.
Thomas Jefferson defers to John Adams on “Independence Day”, July 2
How should Independence Day be celebrated?
The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.
John Adams to Abigail Adams, July 3, 1776
(For the full text of Adams’ letter, see http://bit.ly/iHfcB8)
Patrick Lee’s Explanation
The Continental Congress voted for independence on July 2, 1776. It was two days later when Congress adopted the document that set forth the reasons for that action, the Declaration of Independence.
The original draft of the Declaration was written by Jefferson. It was amended by the drafting committee and again by the Congress before it was adopted on July 4. The final version was still essentially Jefferson’s creation.
When John Adams reported the previous day’s activities to his wife Abigail, it was reasonable to think that July 2 would be celebrated as America’s day of independence. Regardless of the date, Adams penned a ringing affirmation about the significance of Congress’ action and how it should be celebrated throughout the land.
