Page 212 - American Stories, A History of the United States

8 Republican Ascendancy

The Jeffersonian Vision 1800–1814

Limits of Equality
B ritish visitors often expressed

contempt for Jeffersonian society. Wherever they
traveled in the young republic, they met ill-
mannered people inspired with a passion
for liberty and equality. Charles William
Janson, an Englishman who lived in the United
States for 13 years, recounted an exchange
he found particularly unsettling that had
occurred at the home of an American
acquaintance: “On knocking at the door,
it was opened by a servant maid, whom
I had never before seen.” The woman’s
behavior astonished Janson: “The fol-
lowing is the dialogue, word for word,
which took place on this occasion:—
’Is your master at home?’—’I
have no master.’—’Don’t you live
here?’—’I stay here.’—’And who are
you then?’—’Why, I am Mr.—’s help.
I’d have you know, man, that I am no
sarvant [sic]; none but negers [sic] are
sarvants.’”
In this exchange, Janson encoun-
tered the authentic voice of Jeffersonian
republicanism—self-confident, assertive,
racist, and status conscious. The maid
believed she was her employer’s equal,

L E a R ning O B J E C T I v E S

8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5

How did the How did How did Why did Why is the
Republic’s practical Jeffersonians the United War of 1812 President Jefferson In 1800, Thomas
growth shape politics deal with States find sometimes Jefferson and Aaron Burr each received
73 electoral votes. The election was finally
the market challenge the difficult it difficult to thought of as a decided in February 1801 when the House
economy Jefferson’s problems of avoid military “second war of of Representatives, on the thirty-sixth ballot,
and relations political party politics conflict independence”? chose Jefferson by a vote of 10 to 4. This flag
with Native principles? and slavery? during this p. 195 commemorates Jefferson’s victory in the
Americans? p. 185 p. 188 period? p. 192 election.
p. 181

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