Page 163 - Beers With Our Founding Fathers

A Patriot’s view of the history and direction of our Country

Jefferson had several controversies in his personal and political

lives. From being a slave owner and conflicting with the issue of
slavery, to bypassing Congress to purchase land from France – the

Louisiana Purchase would more than double our Country with land
from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains. The second

controversial act was an undeclared war against the Barbary pirates
of the Mediterranean Ocean. These were in conflict with his own

political views and interpretations of the Constitution. What were in
concert with his political views were a smaller government and

reduced debt, which he did in the first two years of his presidential
term. During his term as president, both France and England tried

to limit, or prevent, the foreign commerce of the United States. As a
result, the Embargo Act was passed, stopping all trade with

aggressive countries. This reduced the foreign exports by greater
than 75% – one of Jefferson's follies. In addition, it was one of the

underlying causes of the War of 1812, and the invasion of the United
States, with England. While reducing the debt of our Country, after

leaving public office, Jefferson's lifestyle surpassed his financial
means. With a growing debt, he sold his personal library to the

United States, which became the Library of Congress, and the largest
repository of published works in the world.

Quotes of Thomas Jefferson
 “A little rebellion now and then is a good thing.”

 “Those who don’t read the newspapers are better off than

those who do insofar as those who know nothing are better
off than those whose heads are filled with half-truths and

lies.”

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