Thomas+Jefferson+-+SP09

= Thomas Jefferson Resume =

Anti-Federalist

Virginia - High population, considerable amount of land, many wealthy landowners with plantations and slaves

At the time of the convention, Jefferson was Minister to France. He was known to be a very passive man when it came to politics. He owned the grand estate Monticello, which he designed himself on land which he inherited from his father; he also inherited a few dozen slaves.

During the time of the Constitutional Convention, he was unable to attend due to his stay in France, acting as the United States's ambassador.

The Constitution was ratified in 1788 - at this time, Jefferson was still residing in France, and could not have attended any state convention. Jefferson would likely have supported the Anti-federalists, however.

Friends: James Madison Patrick Henry Richard Henry Lee Robert Yates Mercy Otis Warren Melancton Smith

Foes: John Adams John Jay Alexander Hamilton Benjamin Franklin

Arguments against the ratification: Rebellion is fine every so often (Referencing Shays's Rebellion) "I am convinced that those societies...which live without government enjoy in their general mass an infinitely greater degree of happiness than those who live under the European governments" European countries do not think lowly of the U.S - no need to prove they are capable of self-government Our government is fine the way it is "Malo periculosam libertatem quam quietam servitutem [I prefer liberty at risk to peaceful servitude]"

Sources DeGregorio, William A. __The Complete Book of U.S. Presidents__. 5th ed. New York: Barricade Books, Incorporated, 1993. Jefferson, Thomas. Letter to James Madison. 30 Jan. 1787. __The Writings of Thomas Jefferson__. New York, 1892. "Thomas Jefferson." __Supercomputing '94__. 12 Feb. 2009 .
 * Jefferson, Thomas. Letter to Edward Carrington. 16 Jan. 1787. __The Writings of Thomas Jefferson__. New York, 1892.