Jefferson was appointed on June 11, 1776, to head a committee of five in preparing the Declaration of Independence. He was its primary author, although his initial draft was changed after talking with Benjamin Franklin and John Adams and altered by Congress. The Declaration of Independence made Jefferson famous across the nation. Years later that fame stirred up jealousy from John Adams, who complained that the declaration's ideas were "hackneyed" or worn out. Jefferson agreed and said he wrote of the declaration,

"Neither aiming at originality of principle or sentiment, nor yet co

When Jefferson left Paris on Sept. 26, 1789, he expected to return to his position. On that date however, Congress confirmed his appointment as secretary of state in the order of George Washington. Jefferson reluctantly accepted the position, largely because of Washington's insistence. Jefferson, however, distrusted both the proposals and the

In June 1779, Jefferson was elected governor of Virginia. His political enemies criticized him as war governor constantly. They say he failed to provide for the adequate defense of Richmond in 1780-81. In June 1781 he retired from being governor. The Virginia assembly then voted that "an inquiry be made into the conduct of the executive of this state." Jefferson was forgiven. (Herringshaw p.96)

During these years Jefferson followed events in the United States with interest. He was against any harsh punishment of those involved with Shay's Rebellion in Massachusetts. (Herringshaw p 113) He worried particularly that the new Constitution of the United States lacked a bill of rights and failed to limit the number of terms for the presidency. In France he witnessed the beginning of the French Revolution. His advice was that France follow the British system of constitutional monarchy.

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