http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/jefferson/jeffworld.html
http://www.monticello.org
Spielvogel, Western Civilization Thomson Learning, Inc. 2003
Santrey, Thomas Jefferson Troll Associates, 1985
Friday, December 17, 2010
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Letter to Napoleon Bonaparte
June 1, 1804
Dear Napoleon Bonaparte,
First of all, I would like to let you know that I admire how you have been living your life. Despite your fellows' hatred and differences with people around you, you worked very hard to educate yourself, and rose quickly. Also, I know that you have an outstanding leadership.
Finally, the French Revolution was ended under your control after decade-long constant changes and chaos.
It was an intelligent idea to establish the Civil Code, finally fulfilling Frenches' desire to have one same law system of every people. But more than anything, I was thrilled to know that economic problem in France is getting solved. I remember seeing Louis XVI having a difficult time because of the financial crisis in 1780's, when I worked with him as a minister.
I was very pleased to know that you created new group of aristocrats, primarily based on merits and talents, rather than social background and wealth. All people should be judged by their abilities, so every individual can be treated equally.
Speaking of equality, I am concerned about your recent political activity. I have heard that you have declared yourself as an emperor and calling yourself Napoleon I. Are you attempting to restore the old regime to French society?
As an author of Declaration of Independence, a president of United States, and one who cherishes memories from France, therefore cares about France, I disapprove your attempt to be an absolute ruler of France.
Thomas Jefferson, President of United States of America
Dear Napoleon Bonaparte,
First of all, I would like to let you know that I admire how you have been living your life. Despite your fellows' hatred and differences with people around you, you worked very hard to educate yourself, and rose quickly. Also, I know that you have an outstanding leadership.
Finally, the French Revolution was ended under your control after decade-long constant changes and chaos.
It was an intelligent idea to establish the Civil Code, finally fulfilling Frenches' desire to have one same law system of every people. But more than anything, I was thrilled to know that economic problem in France is getting solved. I remember seeing Louis XVI having a difficult time because of the financial crisis in 1780's, when I worked with him as a minister.
I was very pleased to know that you created new group of aristocrats, primarily based on merits and talents, rather than social background and wealth. All people should be judged by their abilities, so every individual can be treated equally.
Speaking of equality, I am concerned about your recent political activity. I have heard that you have declared yourself as an emperor and calling yourself Napoleon I. Are you attempting to restore the old regime to French society?
As an author of Declaration of Independence, a president of United States, and one who cherishes memories from France, therefore cares about France, I disapprove your attempt to be an absolute ruler of France.
Thomas Jefferson, President of United States of America
Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen
August 26, 1789
I have been very busy lately. I am still working as a Minister Plenipotentiary. Additionally, I have been helping my friend Lafayette and his fellows. They wanted to create a document to declare their rights and freedom from the absolute monarch.
They came to my house a few times, asking for facility to work at and advice. We shared meals, discussed about the philosophes, Declaration of Independence, and American Constitution. It was my pleasure and honor to provide facility and assistance to Lafayette and his friends.
After a course of hard work, finally, the Declaration of Rights of the Man and the Citizen was adopted by National Assembly today.
The document emphasizes all individuals' equality and liberty, supported by ideas of philosophes and documents such as Rousseau and Voltaire, Declaration of Independence, and American Constitution. The document expresses desire for equal rights for all men, equal treatment to all men before law, freedom of thoughts, religious toleration, and freedom of publication.
I sincerely honor and congratulate my friend Lafayette and fellow revolutionaries for their passion to spread equality and liberty, great amount of effort to make changes, and completion of this very valuable and precious document. This remarkable day shall be remembered by all Frenches.
I have been very busy lately. I am still working as a Minister Plenipotentiary. Additionally, I have been helping my friend Lafayette and his fellows. They wanted to create a document to declare their rights and freedom from the absolute monarch.
They came to my house a few times, asking for facility to work at and advice. We shared meals, discussed about the philosophes, Declaration of Independence, and American Constitution. It was my pleasure and honor to provide facility and assistance to Lafayette and his friends.
After a course of hard work, finally, the Declaration of Rights of the Man and the Citizen was adopted by National Assembly today.
The document emphasizes all individuals' equality and liberty, supported by ideas of philosophes and documents such as Rousseau and Voltaire, Declaration of Independence, and American Constitution. The document expresses desire for equal rights for all men, equal treatment to all men before law, freedom of thoughts, religious toleration, and freedom of publication.
I sincerely honor and congratulate my friend Lafayette and fellow revolutionaries for their passion to spread equality and liberty, great amount of effort to make changes, and completion of this very valuable and precious document. This remarkable day shall be remembered by all Frenches.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
France Through My Eyes
August, 1786
How fast time flies! It already has been two years since I was sent to France by American Congress.
Since May of 1785, I am working as a Minister Plenipotentiary.
I am currently living in Hotel de Langeac, located at the corner of the Rue de Berri and the Champs-Elysees. It suits me in every circumstance but the price; I have to pay 7,500 livres a year.
Since I arrived in France, I have been learning and experiencing elegant culture of France.
I am genuinely enjoying French architecture, sculpture, painting, music, plays, and book stores. I am living a life I dreamt when I was studying European cultures and classical works in my youth.
Although I greatly admire France, I am very sorry for bourgeois and peasants. When I traveled the countryside I met so many peasants who were struggling with their daily lives. They had no time or hope whatsoever to enjoy their own culture. They had to work every single day, and pay numerous kinds of taxes and dues to local nobilities and the church. Obviously, they end up being extremely poor, that they cannot afford enough bread.
Nobilities and clergies, on the other hand, do not work as much, but collect taxes from lower class, and pay nothing to government.
As a person who values life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness for every individual in the world, I find this situation very disturbing.
While I see a fascinating side of France, I also see pain of France and people's desire to change this situation. I sometimes see pamphletes about Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and myself, referred as “friends of liberty”. I am proud and grateful that what America went through is motivating Frenes for their equality and liberty.
How fast time flies! It already has been two years since I was sent to France by American Congress.
Since May of 1785, I am working as a Minister Plenipotentiary.
I am currently living in Hotel de Langeac, located at the corner of the Rue de Berri and the Champs-Elysees. It suits me in every circumstance but the price; I have to pay 7,500 livres a year.
Since I arrived in France, I have been learning and experiencing elegant culture of France.
I am genuinely enjoying French architecture, sculpture, painting, music, plays, and book stores. I am living a life I dreamt when I was studying European cultures and classical works in my youth.
Although I greatly admire France, I am very sorry for bourgeois and peasants. When I traveled the countryside I met so many peasants who were struggling with their daily lives. They had no time or hope whatsoever to enjoy their own culture. They had to work every single day, and pay numerous kinds of taxes and dues to local nobilities and the church. Obviously, they end up being extremely poor, that they cannot afford enough bread.
Nobilities and clergies, on the other hand, do not work as much, but collect taxes from lower class, and pay nothing to government.
As a person who values life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness for every individual in the world, I find this situation very disturbing.
While I see a fascinating side of France, I also see pain of France and people's desire to change this situation. I sometimes see pamphletes about Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and myself, referred as “friends of liberty”. I am proud and grateful that what America went through is motivating Frenes for their equality and liberty.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
The Day I Will Never Forget
Today is the day I will never forget; so will all Americans, and hopefully all people in the world - Fourth of July, 1776.
Declaration of Independence, which I have been working on with all my heart, is finally complete. Fellow members of the Second Continental Congress adopted resolution of declaring independence two days ago, and Declaration of Independence got approved by the delegates today.
I put a lot of thoughts and times on this document, but it is actually quite simple. The main idea is that we, all people, are created equal. Therefore, every one of us has unalienable rights: life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.
Also, I wrote that governments derive their powers from the people and that when governments are unjust, the people have the right to form new, just governments. In conclusion, the thirteen colonies are free from control of Great Britain.
I am grateful for John Locke, who thought of humans' natural rights, and put theory of revolution together. His theory inspired me and served as base of Declaration of Independence.
Additionally, I hope and firmly believe that this ball will roll round the world at least the enlightened part of it, for light and liberty go together. I am very proud that America gets to put it into motion first.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Introducing Myself
Since I served United States of America as its third president and wrote Declaration of Independence, I am quite famous. I guarantee, however, that most of you do not know details of my life.
I was born on April 13th, 1743 in my family's estate, called Shadwell, located in Albemarle County in Virginia.
My father, Peter Jefferson, was owner of plantation, and my mother, Jane Jefferson came from an aristocratic and wealthy Randolf family of Virginia. I was the first son, among three other sons and six dauters.
My father provided educational opportunity for me. I enjoyed learning, but I had to be fifty miles away from home, when I was only nine. I was taught Latin, Greek, and French. When I wasn't studying, I learned how to hunt, ride horse, and play the violin.
Unfortunately, I lost my father when I was fourteen. After my father's death, I changed my school which was closer to Shadwell.
In the spring of 1760, I entered William and Mary College. There, I studied science, mathematics, and ethics. But more than anything, I learned logic and how to write effectively.
I studied law after college, and in 1767, I began my career in Virginia. In 1769, I was elected as a member of the House of Burgesses(Virginia legislature). While I was working as a legislator, I joined group of people who wanted America's independence from the Great Britain, because I thought British was oppressing the Colonies too much.
Meantime, I built my own house, Monticello, and met my love, Martha Wayles Skelton. She was a beautiful, young widow. We had a happy life with six children. Sadly, my beloved Martha passed away ten years after the marriage, and only two daughters grew up to adulthood. Although I achieved numerous things later in my life, I always yearn Martha and other four loving children.
One of famous documents in the world, Declaration of Independence was written by me in 1776. I am proud that it gave not onlyindependence to America, but liberty-seeking attitude to people on other parts of the world.
After 1776, I came back to Virginia government, and served as a governor(two terms).
In 1783, I was elected to the United States Congress.
I got a chance to experience Europe, because I became a minister to France, after Benjamin Franklin(1784-1789).
I served as the first secretary of state during presidency of George Washington. When John Adams became the next president, I became Vice President. Then, finally, in 1801, I became the third president of United States of America(served two terms). As a president, I am mostly remembered with Louisiana Purchase.
After serving two terms of presidency, I returned to Monticello. I enjoyed farming, gardening, and inventing things.
But most importantly, I founded University of Virginia.
Proudly, my collection of books became the base of the United States Library of Congress.
I began my afterlife on a memorable day, Fourth of July in 1826, exactly fifty years after America became independent.
On this day, I am mostly remembered as a president of United States of America, and how I affected America. Therefore, I would like to blog more about how I affected Europe.
I was born on April 13th, 1743 in my family's estate, called Shadwell, located in Albemarle County in Virginia.
My father, Peter Jefferson, was owner of plantation, and my mother, Jane Jefferson came from an aristocratic and wealthy Randolf family of Virginia. I was the first son, among three other sons and six dauters.
My father provided educational opportunity for me. I enjoyed learning, but I had to be fifty miles away from home, when I was only nine. I was taught Latin, Greek, and French. When I wasn't studying, I learned how to hunt, ride horse, and play the violin.
Unfortunately, I lost my father when I was fourteen. After my father's death, I changed my school which was closer to Shadwell.
In the spring of 1760, I entered William and Mary College. There, I studied science, mathematics, and ethics. But more than anything, I learned logic and how to write effectively.
I studied law after college, and in 1767, I began my career in Virginia. In 1769, I was elected as a member of the House of Burgesses(Virginia legislature). While I was working as a legislator, I joined group of people who wanted America's independence from the Great Britain, because I thought British was oppressing the Colonies too much.
Meantime, I built my own house, Monticello, and met my love, Martha Wayles Skelton. She was a beautiful, young widow. We had a happy life with six children. Sadly, my beloved Martha passed away ten years after the marriage, and only two daughters grew up to adulthood. Although I achieved numerous things later in my life, I always yearn Martha and other four loving children.
One of famous documents in the world, Declaration of Independence was written by me in 1776. I am proud that it gave not onlyindependence to America, but liberty-seeking attitude to people on other parts of the world.
After 1776, I came back to Virginia government, and served as a governor(two terms).
In 1783, I was elected to the United States Congress.
I got a chance to experience Europe, because I became a minister to France, after Benjamin Franklin(1784-1789).
I served as the first secretary of state during presidency of George Washington. When John Adams became the next president, I became Vice President. Then, finally, in 1801, I became the third president of United States of America(served two terms). As a president, I am mostly remembered with Louisiana Purchase.
After serving two terms of presidency, I returned to Monticello. I enjoyed farming, gardening, and inventing things.
But most importantly, I founded University of Virginia.
Proudly, my collection of books became the base of the United States Library of Congress.
I began my afterlife on a memorable day, Fourth of July in 1826, exactly fifty years after America became independent.
On this day, I am mostly remembered as a president of United States of America, and how I affected America. Therefore, I would like to blog more about how I affected Europe.
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