Prologue
On September 30, 1941, Thomas Jefferson’s great-great-grandson joined six other men at a Washington art gallery. Their purpose was to select quotes from Jefferson, the author of the Declaration of Independence, to be engraved in the memorial being constructed at the Tidal Basin.
The meeting of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Commission inevitably turned to the Declaration’s most renowned phrase: “All men are created equal.” A segregationist panel member argued that the phrase should be excluded, claiming Jefferson believed in White superiority over Black people and Native Americans. He stated that the quote gave Black Americans justification to seek equal treatment.
Jefferson’s descendant, Jefferson Randolph Kean, a retired U.S. Army brigadier general, agreed. He said, “I would say that I entirely agree with him that the author and signers of the Declaration did not have in mind Indians or Negroes, or other persons than the British subjects for which they had the right to speak.” This exchange candidly acknowledged the paradox of America’s founding. The commissioners retained Jefferson’s famous phrase about equality, fearing the embarrassment of omitting such iconic words.
However, they approved quotes at the memorial portraying Jefferson as an antislavery leader while ignoring that he enslaved over 600 Black people in his lifetime. The Declaration’s intent behind “all men are created equal” has been intensely debated in America’s history, central to the nation’s story, viewed as both aspirational and hypocritical.
The Declaration and the phrase have inspired around 120 nations and peoples to pursue their versions, earning it the reputation of the greatest spark for democracy globally. President Abraham Lincoln elevated its status during the Civil War, amid slavery debates.
Revolutionary Revelations
The upcoming 250th anniversary of the Declaration prompts examination of Jefferson’s influence, its impact, and the complexity of enslavement. Jefferson was not the sole author of liberty, nor solely responsible for the Declaration; many founders and ordinary Americans contributed. Yet Jefferson’s role has been elevated by history.
Jefferson’s achievements and contradictions embody the story from his efforts to maintain ties with the monarchy to leading against it, the gap between his ideals of equality and his actions as an enslaver, to fleeing from the British army after writing the Declaration.
His life contains many paradoxes, including advocating for a rise against an oppressive elite, but suggesting American elites replace the British ones. He supported the armed struggle against Britain but fled when the enemy advanced upon Virginia’s capital and Monticello.
Jefferson was influenced by Enlightenment theorists like John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau; however, his motivations were often swayed by commercial interests. Despite pleas to use the Declaration to end enslavement, Jefferson largely dismissed them.
Chapter One
In the summer of 1774, as British actions in Boston alarmed Virginia, Jefferson retreated to Monticello and drafted a secret document that could have forestalled the American Revolution but instead laid groundwork for it.
Jefferson initially favored maintaining ties with Britain, praising its government system as optimal. Concerned, he attempted to advise King George III to restrain Parliament’s power, to prevent rebellion. He concealed two copies of the 23-page tract in his saddlebag, and left his family for Williamsburg, intending to meet disaffected legislators discussing Boston’s predicament.
His document, reading like a petition, argued against Parliament’s authority over the colonies. It claimed that its actions aimed to reduce colonies to slavery. Over the following two years, Jefferson’s radicalization and reputation grew.
Jefferson, educated at William & Mary, prospered as a lawyer, interacting with Virginians of diverse backgrounds. He watched fellow legislator Patrick Henry attack British taxes, inspiring the “first impulse to the ball of Revolution.” Despite clearing land for Monticello and marrying Martha Wayles Skelton, Jefferson’s loyalty to Britain remained, though increasingly frustrated by its policies.
In 1774, private meetings at Virginia’s colonial capital reflected growing outrage over British taxation and regulation. Jefferson contributed to a resolution promoting monitoring London’s actions, advocating unity among the colonies. Selected as Virginia’s representative, Jefferson’s radical transformation was underway.
Encouraged by Philip Mazzei to rethink Britain’s rule, Jefferson helped publish an anonymous letter about colonial rights. Mazzei perceived the British imposing policies that ignored colonial consent, suggested arms should be considered, sparking Jefferson’s inclination toward independence.
Increasing literacy propelled the influence of newspapers and pamphlets, helping propagate Jefferson’s radical ideas. Jefferson’s financial difficulties have minimized comprehension of his evolving perspectives; he believed British policies contributed to his struggles.
As different colonial interests clashed with Britain over taxes and restrictions, Jefferson’s views became more radical. His secret document, “A Summary View of the Rights of British America,” warned the king of a possible revolution if unsatisfied American demands persisted.
Despite still hoping for reconciliation, Jefferson critiqued Parliament. His secret document foreshadowed the Declaration, advocating equality and rights over British policies.
His complaints centered around British trade strangleholds and his colonies’ exclusion from commercial decision-making. He foresaw abolishing slavery and stated the colonies wanted free trade globally.
Jefferson’s radical ideas transitioned into outright revolutionary actions, noting that a war was inevitable before the Declaration was drafted. As he moved towards the Continental Congress, he faced financial anxieties tied to British policies.
In Williamsburg, Jefferson faced opposition from the royal governor, Dunmore. Tensions in Virginia grew, leading Jefferson to embrace independence, readying for war alongside dissatisfied colonists.
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