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The Writings of Thomas Jefferson

by Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826)

  • Free to read
  • 8 hours to read
  • 180 chapters
  • Reading level: 8th & 9th grade

"The Writings of Thomas Jefferson" by Thomas Jefferson is a historical collection published in the early 20th century. This volume contains a comprehensive assortment of Jefferson's significant texts, including his autobiography, official papers, and various writings that highlight his beliefs and contributions to American democracy and governance. The collection showcases his emphasis on democratic principles and the importance of education, serving as a testament to Jefferson's enduring influence on American ideals. The opening of this collection sets the tone by focusing on Jefferson's identity as a tactician in politics. It discusses his exceptional ability to navigate political landscapes and manage complex situations, illustrating how qualities such as tact, clarity of thought, and a strong moral compass solidified his role as a leader during the formative years of the United States. The text introduces key themes, including Jefferson's vision for democratic governance, his advocacy for educational reforms, and the significant events in his early public life leading up to his authorship of the Declaration of Independence. Overall, this opening establishes Jefferson not only as a historical figure but also as a philosopher and a strategist in the young republic's development.

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  • United States · Politics and government · 1775-1783
  • United States · Politics and government · 1783-1789

Read the opening

Jefferson As a Tactician

The word "tactician" is usually applied to military movements, but it has a broader meaning than this; it embodies the idea of a peculiar skill or faculty—a nice perception or discernment which is characterized by adroit planning or management, artfully directed in politics or diplomacy in government.

"Of all creatures the sense of tact is most exquisite in
man"—Ross: Microcosmia.

"To see in such a clime,
Where science is new, men so exact
In tactic art"—Davenant Madagascar.

True statesmanship is the masterful art. Poetry, music, painting, sculpture and architecture please, thrill and inspire, but the great statesman and diplomatist and leader in thought and action convinces, controls and compels the admiration of all classes and creeds. Logical thought, power of appeal and tactfulness never fail to command attention and respect. It has always been thus, and it will unquestionably so remain. Many really able and brilliant men, however, lack balance and the faculty of calculation. They are too often swayed by emotions, and their intellectual powers, which otherwise might exert a controlling influence, are thus weakened, and often result in failure. True greatness in a man is gauged by what he accomplished in life, and the impress he left upon his fellow-men. It does not consist of one act, or even of many, but rather their effect upon the times in which he lived, and how long they endure after the actor is gone from the throng of the living.

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Contents

Show all 180 chapters
  1. Jefferson As a Tactician
  2. Page
  3. Facing Page
  4. To Monsieur Chas
  5. To M. Duler
  6. To Messrs. Wilt, Delmestre and Co
  7. To James Madison
  8. To Charles Thompson
  9. To Colonel Monroe
  10. To His Excellency Mr. Adams
  11. To Mr. Hopkinson
  12. To His Excellency Dr. Franklin
  13. To Mr. Stiles
  14. To M. Dumas
  15. To Mr. Carmichael
  16. To Mr. Vaughan
  17. To John Jay
  18. To Samuel Osgood
  19. To M. De Calonne
  20. To John Jay
  21. To John Adams
  22. To Colonel Franks
  23. To Monsieur Otto
  24. To Monsieur Le Duc D'harcourt, Governeur Du Dauphin
  25. To Monsieur De Creve-Coeur
  26. To Colonel Edward Carrington
  27. To M. Du Rival
  28. To Messrs. S. And J. H. Delap
  29. To M. Soules
  30. To M. Hilliard D'auberteuil
  31. To Chevalier De Segond
  32. To John Jay
  33. To M. Soules
  34. To His Excellency Mr. Adams
  35. To Mrs. Bingham
  36. To Governor Randolph
  37. To John Jay
  38. To Mr. Dumas
  39. To Messrs. Borgnis Desbordes Freres
  40. To His Excellency Mr. Adams
  41. To John Jay
  42. To M. Le Prevot Des Marchands Et Echevins De Paris
  43. To Mr. Carmichael
  44. To Mr. Barclay
  45. To His Excellency John Adams
  46. To His Excellency Mr. Adams
  47. To John Jay
  48. To Richard Peters
  49. To the Marquis De La Fayette
  50. To Madame La Comtesse De Tesse
  51. To the Marquis De La Fayette
  52. To William Short
  53. To John Jay
  54. To M. Guide
  55. To William Carmichael
  56. To Mr. Dumas
  57. To J. Bannister, Junior
  58. To John Jay
  59. To Madame De Corny
  60. To John Adams
  61. To David Hartley
  62. To Benjamin Vaughan
  63. To Dr. William Gordon
  64. To T. B. Hollis, Esq
  65. To Mr. Bondfield
  66. To Mr. James Manny
  67. To M. L'abbe Morellet
  68. To T. M. Randolph, Junior
  69. To Edward Rutledge, Esq
  70. To His Excellency Mr. Adams
  71. To Mr. Joseph Fenwick
  72. To Stephen Cathalan, Junior
  73. To the Delegates of Rhode Island
  74. To the Count De Montmorin
  75. To Mr. Skipwith
  76. To J. W. Eppes
  77. To Alexander Donald
  78. To William Drayton
  79. To Francis Hopkinson, Esq
  80. To Ralph Izard, Esq
  81. To James Madison
  82. To Thomas Barclay
  83. To Mr. Barclay
  84. To His Excellency Edward Randolph
  85. To His Excellency the Governor of Virginia
  86. To William Hay
  87. To Dr. David Ramsay
  88. To Edward Carrington
  89. To Dr. James Currie
  90. To Mr. Benjamin Hawkins
  91. To Colonel Monroe
  92. To the Honorable Commissioners of the Treasury
  93. To John Jay
  94. To Governor Rutledge
  95. To Monsieur De Creve-Coeur
  96. To Colonel Richard Claiborne
  97. To John Churchman
  98. To Monsieur L'hommande
  99. To Peter Carr
  100. To Dr. George Gilmer
  101. To Colonel T. M. Randolph
  102. To the Reverend James Madison
  103. To the Honorable J. Blair
  104. To Joseph Jones
  105. To General Washington
  106. To Colonel Humphreys
  107. To John Jay
  108. To the Honorable James Madison
  109. To the Count Del Vermi
  110. To John Adams
  111. To Monsieur Le Comte De Montmorin
  112. To Monsieur Limosin
  113. To Mr. T. Blake
  114. To Mr. Bondfield
  115. To Monsieur Dumas
  116. To Don Francisco Chiappi
  117. To Mr. George Wythe
  118. To Mr. David Rittenhouse
  119. To the Honorable the Commissioners of the Treasury
  120. To John Jay
  121. To Charles Thompson
  122. To John Jay
  123. To John Jay
  124. To Mr. Carnes
  125. To Monsieur Limozin
  126. To John Jay
  127. To John Adams
  128. To Colonel Smith
  129. To Monsieur Le Comte De Buffon
  130. To Mr. C. W. F. Dumas
  131. To His Excellency President Sullivan
  132. To John Jay
  133. To James Madison
  134. To John Jay
  135. To Monsieur Le Comte De Moustier
  136. To Madame De Brehan
  137. To Monsieur Limozin
  138. To Mr. C. W. F. Dumas
  139. To Madame De Corny
  140. To the Count De Montmorin
  141. To Monsieur L'abbe De Morellet
  142. To the Honorable John Jay
  143. To John Jay
  144. Declaration
  145. Counter-Declaration
  146. To John Jay
  147. To the Count De Montmorin
  148. To the Hon. John Jay
  149. To John Adams
  150. To Colonel Smith
  151. To Mr. James Maury
  152. To Monsieur Dumas
  153. To William Carmichael
  154. To John Adams
  155. To James Madison
  156. To E. Carrington
  157. To the Hon. John Jay
  158. To Monsieur Limozin
  159. To the Board of Treasury
  160. To John Jay
  161. To Monsieur Lambert
  162. To Monsieur De Quesnay
  163. To Mr. Drayton
  164. To Mr. William Rutledge
  165. To His Excellency Mr. Adams
  166. To the Commissioners of the Treasury
  167. To Doctor Price
  168. To Mr. A. Donald
  169. To Mr. Warville
  170. To Mr. Dumas
  171. To Monsieur De Bertrous
  172. To Monsieur Trouchin
  173. To Mr. John Adams
  174. To the Hon. John Jay
  175. To the Hon. John Jay
  176. To Mr. Dumas
  177. To the Commissioners of the Treasury
  178. To Mr. Short
  179. To General Washington
  180. To Mr. James Madison

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About this edition

This free edition of The Writings of Thomas Jefferson by Thomas Jefferson comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #21002, released 2007-04-07. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Biographies, Essays, Letters & Speeches, History - American.

Summary provided by Project Gutenberg (automatically generated).

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