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. =Thomas Jefferson=

When asked about Thomas Jefferson, Representative George W. Campbell of Tennessee said, "So long as virtue, wisdom, and patriotism continue to be revered in the world, so long will his character remain a distinguished monument of triumph of liberty and the rights of man over despotism and aristocracy around which the cons of freedom will rejoice to rally." Thomas Jefferson was a wan who was open and revered, as well as a successful and resourceful president. For his presidency, Jefferson deserves a "B" because he accomplished a lot in his presidency with only a few minor setbacks. Jefferson he won the Tripolitan War, doubled the size of the United States, abolished the slave trade, and allowed the Alien and Sedition Acts to lapse. Jefferson also established executive privilege for future presidents.

Jefferson accomplished many goals in his presidency. He abolished the slave trade, making slave importation illegal. Secondly, he allowed the Alien and Sedition Acts to lapse because he felt that the Americans deserved their rights to freely write or speak about the American government. Thirdly, Jefferson won the Tripolitan War. Pirates from the Barbary states had been capturing and plundering ships from different nations. Jefferson had refused to pay an increased tribute to the pirates and an American ship was taken hostage. Jefferson, to save the American hostages, paid tribute and the American hostages were safely secured. Fourthly Jefferson initiated the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Jefferson was described as curious and always wondered about the unknown. He commissioned Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore the Louisiana Territory. Jefferson, even before purchasing the Louisiana Territory, had desperately wanted to explore the unknown territory. This expedition added greatly to the knowledge available at that time. Many of Jefferson's major goals were successfully accomplished. However, Jefferson's goal for the United States to have neutral rights at sea failed dramatically. By passing the Embargo Act, the American people suffered from unemployment and a crippled economy.

When Jefferson served as president, the Republican Party was the majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Jefferson had a good relationship with Congress. This is shown when Jefferson bought the Louisiana Territory for the small amount of $15 million without authorization from Congress. Although Jefferson felt that this purchase was the definition of unconstitutional, Jefferson went ahead with buying the Louisiana Territory. Fortunately for Jefferson, Congress ratified the agreement the day after Jefferson's transaction. Also, throughout his presidency, Jefferson never vetoed a bill. This shows that Jefferson and Congress had a healthy relationship and that they agreed on major issues.

The most positive action of the Jefferson administration was the Louisiana Purchase. Through the Louisiana Purchase, Jefferson doubled the size of the United States. Although he was unauthorized to do so, Jefferson used his authority as president for the expansion of the United States because he worried that Napoleon Bonaparte would back out of the deal. By Jefferson's acted swift, though unconstitutional actions to gain the Louisiana Territory, the United States was allowed to largely grow in size. This prevented France or Spain from controlling American trade at a New Orleans port. On a negative note, Jefferson passed the Embargo Act which caused the American people to suffer economically. The Embargo Act led to unemployment and poverty. This act alone crippled the American economy and was later repealed.

Executive privilege was established by Jefferson. Jefferson believed that the President has the right to withhold information. The decision to establish executive privilege has impacted the future administrations. For example, President Nixon tried to pass off "executive privilege" to suppress tapes from the Watergate Scandal. Nixon refused on the account of executive privilege to hand over the tapes. After the tapes were subpoenaed by the Supreme Court, Nixon was forced to turn over the tapes. Nixon was affected by the establishment of executive privilege because he tried to use executive privilege as an excuse so he would not be convicted for illegal activity.

Jefferson was a good president and accomplished many things during his presidency. He should be given a "B" for his efforts and his leadership during his presidency. Although Jefferson passed the Embargo Act, he won the Tripolitan War, doubled the size of the United States, abolished the slave trade, and allowed the Alien and Sedition Acts to lapse. He fought for the rights of the American people and altered the law when he saw injustices. He also was willing to admit when he was wrong, like when he repealed the Alien and Sedition Act. Jefferson also established executive privilege for future presidents which allowed presidents to withhold certain information. Jefferson was a great president because he cared deeply for the American people and wanted to protect their freedoms.

Bibliography 1. DeGregorio, William A. "The Complete Book of U.S. Presidents." __Barricade Books__. Sixth Edition: New Jersey: 2005. 2. "Jefferson and Congress." 16 September 2009. E-notes. 2009 . 3."Thomas Jefferson." 16 September 2009. __Wikipedia.__ 13 Septermber 2009 . 4. "Thomas Jefferson." 17 September 2009 . 5. "Who Was Thomas Jefferson." 16 September 2009. __WikiAnswers__. 17 September 2009 .