Sold – Thomas Jefferson Echoes Themes from the Declaration of Independence

The government of the United States was the result of a revolution in thought. It was founded on the principle that all persons have equal rights, and that government is responsible to, and derives its very powers from, the people. To Jefferson, these ideas were not just a passing intellectual fad, but a recognition of something inherent in the nature of man himself.

In the Declaration of Independence, drafted by him between June 11 and June 28, 1776, he articulated his fundamental political philosophy (and that of the Founding Fathers) that government exists in the interests of the governed, not the governors, and that the very purpose of government is to serve the people. Since the foundation of government, therefore, rests on the inalienable rights of the people, governments themselves have no inherent rights not granted by them. He stated this perfectly in one of the best known quotes from the Declaration: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…”

Both before and after Jefferson became president, he came under vicious attack from political opponents who questioned his integrity and fidelity to principle. In 1795 he responded to the critics, "I know my own principles to be pure and therefore am not ashamed of them. On the contrary, I wish them known and therefore willingly express them…They are the same I have acted on from the year 1775 to this day…”

He stated in 1801 his belief in "The essential principles of our Government…” As president, the philosophy of his administration, Jefferson thus maintained, was the same philosophy he had held in 1776. He believed that it was important to illustrate this fact to both friends and foes, and seized the opportunity when it arose in 1802.

Thomas Jefferson Autograph Letter Signed as President, 1 page small 8vo, December 20, 1802, to Samuel Elliot, who had sent a book of poetry and written approvingly of Jefferson. "Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to Mr. Elliot, and his thanks for the poetical production inclosed to him and received the last night. He is sensible also to the sentiments of respect and confidence expressed in Mr. Elliot’s letter, and having in view no earthly object but the good of his fellow citizens, he deems their approbation the highest reward they can bestow on him. Washington, Dec. 10, 1802."

This letter emphasizes that Jefferson was still loyal to the principle he expounded in the Declaration of Independence – that the very purpose of government was the good of the people – and that his administration was dedicated to this purpose. However, the extremely interesting and enlightening wording of the letter goes farther than this. It shows that to Jefferson, the issue of establishing the sovereignty of the people went beyond being solely a matter of political philosophy. He had devoted virtually his entire adult life to public service, and this was indeed the explanation for why he had done so. What we have here, then, is a extraordinary statement of both his core political beliefs and personal motivations.

One might think that such expressions by Jefferson of his motivations would be common, but this is not the case. As one of America’s foremost public servants, he had often written on the general subject of the duties of good citizens. However, according to the Papers of Thomas Jefferson project at Princeton, and the University of Virginia’s "Quotations from the Writings of Thomas Jefferson," it was very unusual for Jefferson to write on his personal feelings or motivations concerning his own public service and career. In fact, there is very little which discloses his personal feelings or emotions about anything, which is characteristic of his notable reserve and unwillingness to reveal his inner self. With the exception of a brief letter in 1809, this is the only letter we have found which gives a glimpse of Jefferson’s thoughts on his career.

To the historically valuable aspects of this letter we would add one more. It shows, somewhat unexpectedly in a philosopher, how much the approval of his fellow citizens meant to Jefferson.