JEFFERSON, THOMAS, third president of the United States of America, was the son of a planter, and was b. at Shadwell, Albermarle co., Virginia, April 2, 1743. He studied at William and Mary's college, Williamsburg; and after leaving college was engaged for some years in the practice of law. In 1769 he was elected to the Virginia house of burgesses, where he joined zealously with the revolutionary party. In 1773, as a member of-the assembly, he took a prominent part in the measures which resulted iu the calling of the continental congress, to which he was sent as a delegate, where lie drew up the celebrated declaration of independence. During the war in defense of this declaration he was governor of Virginia, and in 1784 was sent minister to France, where his manners, accomplishments, and more solid qualities did much to secure to America the powerful alliance that insured her success. Returning in 1789, he was appointed by Washington, secretary of state, a post due to his abilities, his influence, and his distinguished services. The federal constitution had been adopted, and the two parties which soon divided the country began to develop themselves. Washington, John Adams, Jay, and Hamilton, were • in favor of a strong centralized government; Jefferson party in favor of states' right and a federal government of restricted and carefully-defined powers. The first party took the name of the latter were first called anti-federals, then republicans, and finally adopted the title first given them as a reproach, of democrats. When Washington retired, after eight years of office as president, and a new election took place, the two highest candidates, as leaders of the opposing parties, were John Adams and Jefferson. Adams, having the largest vote, was declared president, while Jefferson having the next highest number, became the vice-president, 1797. The strife of these parties Culminated in 1809, when Jefferson
and Aaron Burr were elected president and vice-president, against John Adams, the federal candidate. On entering upon the presidency, lie reduced the government to a republican simplicity, made few removals, and resolutely refused to appoint any of his own relatives to office, saying that he "could find better men for every place than his own connections." The most important act of his administration was the purchase of Louisiana from France. At the end of eight years he retired to his residence at Mon ticello; but he did not retire to a repose of idleness; he kept up an immense correspond ence, dispensed the hospitalities of his mansion to visitors from every part of the world, and founded the university of Virginia, of which he was for many years the rector. Though born and educated in the first rank of colonial life, he was a democrat in theory and practice; lie held that " the world is governed too much," and that " that government is best which governs least." Though a large slave-holder, he labored for the prohibition of the slave-trade and of slavery in the territory beyond the Ohio river, and advocated emancipation in Virginia. His writings consist mostly of state papers and letters. His only literary work was his Notes Virginia, published in 1782. He had one child, a daughter, and has numerous descendants. His death was very remark able; It occurred on July 4, 1826, while the nation was celebrating the fiftieth anniver sary of the declaration of independence, which he lied written. On the same day, and almost at the same hour, John Adams, the second president, who had signed with him the declaration, died in New England.