Page 40 - JM Book 9/2020

Unlike most people of his time, Thomas Jefferson did not use a quill pen to write. Instead, he used a small cylindrical silver fountain pen with a gold point that was made for him by
William Cowan, a Richmond,
Virginia, watchmaker. “TJ” was
engraved on the elliptical cap
that screwed into the end of the
cylinder where the ink was held.
Jefferson’s Silver Pen
Jefferson was almost finished
with the middle section that listed the grievances against King George III. He carefully wrote the next to last grievance. “He . . . has . . . incited . . . treasonable . . . insurrections . . . of . . . our . . . fellow . . . subjects.” He suddenly stopped. “No!” He realized, “Subjects is not the correct word. As a free people, we will not be subjects of the British monarchy any longer. We will be citizens of our own country – a new country.” While the ink was still wet, he used his finger to wipe out the word “subjects.” He finished writing the sentence with “citizens” inserted. It now read, “He has incited treasonable insurrections in our fellow-citizens, with the allurements of forfeiture & confiscation of our property.”
Tonight he planned to finish the final paragraph, which he had been working on for the past two days. But first, he would read the entire declaration. It was his practice to reread what he had already written before continuing.
A knock at the door broke his concentration. “It must be Ike,” he thought.
When he opened the door, Ike gave his usual greeting, “Hello Mr. Jefferson, I g-g-got fresh biscuits.”
“Please come in, Ike.” He moved aside so Ike could enter. “I see you remembered to bring your book.”
“Y-Y-Y-Yesur.” He looked embarrassed. “I mean ... yes sir.”
“Not to worry, you are doing much better,” responded Jefferson. “It takes time to break old speaking habits. At least now you recognize when you mispronounce words. I am pleased with your progress.” He smiled as he spoke.
Ike read aloud for the next fifteen minutes. His reading had improved so much that he did not have to ask for help as he did before. He felt proud.
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