Malcolm Rivera
Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the Declaration of Independence and third U.S. president, is often associated with the nation's founding documents. However, while Jefferson played a significant role in shaping the country's early government, he was not directly involved in composing the United States Constitution. Instead, Jefferson was serving as an ambassador to France when the Constitutional Convention met in 1787, and the document was drafted by a different group of individuals. Nevertheless, Jefferson's influence can be seen in his correspondence with James Madison, which helped shape the Bill of Rights, and his own experiences, such as his time in France during the French Revolution, also informed his political beliefs and actions as vice president and president.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Thomas Jefferson's role in writing the US Constitution | Jefferson played no hands-on role in composing the US Constitution |
| Thomas Jefferson's location during the writing of the US Constitution | Jefferson was in France serving as United States minister |
| Thomas Jefferson's correspondence during the writing of the US Constitution | Jefferson corresponded with James Madison to influence the formation of the new governmental structure |
| Thomas Jefferson's opinion of the US Constitution | Jefferson thought the US Constitution was imperfect due to the absence of a bill of rights and the failure to provide for rotation in office or term limits |
| Thomas Jefferson's influence on the US Constitution | Jefferson's actions as vice president, leader of the first political opposition party, and third president of the United States were crucial in defining the powers of the Constitution |
| Thomas Jefferson's draft constitutions | Jefferson wrote a draft constitution for Virginia and proposed a draft for the Virginia Declaration of Rights |
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What You'll Learn
Thomas Jefferson's role in the US Constitution
Thomas Jefferson was a principal Founding Father of the United States and played a significant role in shaping the country's constitution. He was a strong advocate for personal liberties and wanted the new Constitution to be accompanied by a written "bill of rights". This bill of rights would guarantee personal liberties such as freedom of religion, freedom of the press, freedom from standing armies, trial by jury, and habeas corpus.
Jefferson was unable to attend the 1787 Constitutional Convention as he was serving as an ambassador to France. However, he remained well-informed about events in America through his correspondence with James Madison, who was a principal architect of the Constitution. Jefferson's letters to Madison helped convince him to introduce a bill of rights into the First Congress. After ratification by the requisite number of states, the first ten amendments to the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights, went into effect in 1791.
In addition to his role in the creation of the Bill of Rights, Jefferson also played a crucial part in shaping the look of the nation's capital and defining the powers of the Constitution through his actions as the first secretary of state, vice president, leader of the first political opposition party, and third president of the United States. He sought to establish a federal government of limited powers and his correspondence with Madison, known as the Kentucky Resolutions, further elaborated on this belief. The Kentucky Resolutions, drafted in secret in 1798, asserted that states had the right to nullify federal laws and acts that violated the Constitution.
Jefferson's philosophy centred on the idea that citizens have "certain inalienable rights" and that "rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will, within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others.". He was a staunch supporter of the jury system and believed in the separation of church and state. Jefferson's principles were often tested during his presidency, such as when he purchased the Louisiana Territory from France, which required him to expand his narrow interpretation of the Constitution.
Thomas Jefferson's contributions to the US Constitution and his articulation of American ideals have left a lasting legacy. He was also influential beyond the borders of the United States, as he advised Greek scholar Adamantios Korais on building the political system of Greece, drawing on examples from the American governmental system.
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Jefferson's influence on the US Constitution
Thomas Jefferson, the principal drafter of the Declaration of Independence and the third US president, had a significant influence on the US Constitution. Although he was in France serving as the United States minister when the Federal Constitution was drafted in 1787, he was well-informed about events in America and corresponded with those present at the Constitutional Convention, including his good friend James Madison.
Jefferson wanted the new Constitution to be accompanied by a written "bill of rights" to guarantee personal liberties, such as freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom from standing armies, trial by jury, and habeas corpus. He wrote many letters to friends and political acquaintances in America, expressing his objections to key parts of the new Federal Constitution, including the absence of a bill of rights and the failure to provide for rotation in office or term limits for the chief executive. Jefferson's correspondence with Madison helped convince the latter to introduce a bill of rights into the First Congress. After ratification by the requisite number of states, the first ten amendments to the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights, went into effect in 1791.
In addition to his influence on the Bill of Rights, Jefferson also promoted ideals of freedom of speech, press, and conscience. He sought to establish a federal government of limited powers and supported the Constitution but desired the addition of the promised Bill of Rights. During his two terms as president, Jefferson stayed true to his principles of a weak national government by cutting the federal budget and taxes while reducing the national debt.
Jefferson's influence extended beyond the US Constitution, as he was also involved in the drafting of other important documents. He was a member of the Committee of Five, which was charged with authoring the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson was chosen to write the Declaration due to his popularity, writing skills, and status as a Virginian. He also assisted with the Virginia state constitution and was particularly proud of his Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom, which prohibited state support of religious institutions or enforcement of religious doctrine.
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Jefferson's absence during the Constitution Convention
Thomas Jefferson was absent during the 1787 Constitution Convention as he was in Paris, France, serving as the United States minister and ambassador. Despite his absence, Jefferson was well-informed about the events in America and corresponded with individuals who contributed to the formation of the Constitution, such as James Madison and John Jay.
Jefferson's correspondence reveals his cautious acceptance of the new Constitution, with some reservations. He objected to the absence of a bill of rights and the lack of rotation in office or term limits, especially for the chief executive. Jefferson also disagreed with the secrecy of the Convention, believing that the basic principles of the Articles of Confederation were a good foundation for the new government.
During the writing and ratification of the Constitution, Jefferson actively shared his ideas and tried to influence the formation of the new government. He wrote letters to friends and political acquaintances in America, expressing his thoughts on various constitutional issues. Jefferson's correspondence with James Madison, in particular, helped convince Madison to introduce a bill of rights into the First Congress.
While Jefferson did not physically participate in the 1787 Constitution Convention, his ideas and influence were still felt through his correspondence and relationships with key individuals. He played a significant role in shaping the new government and ensuring the protection of individual liberties.
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Jefferson's correspondence with James Madison
Thomas Jefferson, the third U.S. president and author of the Declaration of Independence, promoted ideals of freedom of speech, press, and conscience. He wanted the new Constitution to be accompanied by a written "bill of rights" to guarantee personal liberties, such as freedom of religion, freedom of the press, freedom from standing armies, trial by jury, and habeas corpus.
James Madison, the fourth U.S. president, was a lifelong friend, political mentor, and partner of Thomas Jefferson. While Jefferson was in France, Madison kept him well-informed on Virginia politics, including the adoption of his Statute for Religious Freedom, and the proceedings of the Constitutional Convention. Their correspondence during this period reveals several uncommon disagreements between the two men, but also how they worked together on important political issues.
Jefferson and Madison were on equal footing in areas of political philosophy and science, but on questions of architecture, Madison deferred to Jefferson. During the summer of 1808, Madison began planning a more extensive enlargement and remodelling of his mansion, and although Jefferson was available for consultation, it was his master builder, James Dinsmore, who is credited with the major architectural changes.
The surviving 1200-plus letters exchanged by the two presidents cover a variety of subjects and are a valuable contribution to the study of their lives and times. Editor James Morton Smith has published a three-volume collection of their correspondence, titled "The Republic of Letters: The Correspondence Between Thomas Jefferson and James Madison". The collection includes letters written during Jefferson's ambassadorship to France (1785-89), which constitute valuable eyewitness summaries of a crucial historical period. Other topics covered in their 50-year correspondence include the Constitutional Convention of 1787, their opposition to the Federalists in the new government, Jefferson's triumph in the 1800 election, and Madison's own two terms as president.
One of the most notable aspects of Jefferson's correspondence with Madison was their discussion of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Jefferson strongly felt that the Constitution required the addition of a bill of rights, writing to Madison:
> "Let me add that a bill of rights is what the people are entitled to against every government on earth, general or particular, and what no just government should refuse, or rest on inference."
Madison, initially reluctant to do anything that might jeopardize the ratification of the Constitution, eventually came around to Jefferson's view and is today often referred to as the "Father of the Constitution" and the "Father of the Bill of Rights."
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Jefferson's draft of the Virginia Constitution
Thomas Jefferson, the principal drafter of the Declaration of Independence, also wrote a draft constitution for Virginia. This was in the spring of 1783, when Jefferson foresaw a revision of the 1776 constitution. He was inspired by the "mixed" constitution of classical antiquity and English history.
In 1782, Jefferson refused a partnership offer by North Carolina Governor Abner Nash, involving the sale of confiscated Loyalist lands. Content with his estate in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, Jefferson thought of his home as an intellectual gathering place for friends like James Madison and James Monroe. In 1780, he received a letter of inquiry from French diplomat François Barbé-Marbois about Virginia's geography, history, and government. Jefferson's responses were organised into a book, "Notes on the State of Virginia" (1785). The book explores what constitutes a good society, using Virginia as an example. It includes data about the state's natural resources and economy and discusses slavery and miscegenation.
In 1783, Jefferson wrote to Mr Pendleton, president of the Virginia Convention, sending him a sketch of a constitution with a preamble. However, it arrived too late to be considered. Jefferson's draft constitution for Virginia was never debated. It was later published as an appendix to his "Notes on Virginia".
In 1787, when the Constitution Convention met to replace the Articles of Confederation, Jefferson was serving as ambassador to France. He remained well-informed about events in America through his correspondence with James Madison. Jefferson supported the Constitution but desired the addition of a Bill of Rights. He wanted the new Constitution to be accompanied by a written “bill of rights” to guarantee personal liberties, such as freedom of religion, freedom of the press, freedom from standing armies, trial by jury, and habeas corpus.
In 1789, while in Paris during the French Revolution, Jefferson consulted with the Marquis de Lafayette as he drafted the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Thomas Jefferson did not write the US Constitution. He was in France serving as the United States minister when the Federal Constitution was written in 1787. However, he influenced the development of the federal government through his correspondence and later, as the first secretary of state, vice president, and leader of the first political opposition party. He also played a major role in the planning, design, and construction of a national capital and the federal district.
Thomas Jefferson is the principal author of the Declaration of Independence. He also wrote the Notes on the State of Virginia, a book based on his responses to a letter of inquiry from French diplomat François Barbé-Marbois.
Thomas Jefferson was unable to attend the 1787 Constitution Convention. However, he supported the Constitution but desired the addition of a bill of rights. He wrote many letters to friends and political acquaintances in America to influence the formation of the new governmental structure.
