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Thomas Jefferson


Edmund Pendleton and Jefferson's uncle, Peyton Randolph, both prominent planters in the House, acted as his mentors. .
             "In 1772 January 1 Jefferson married Martha Wayles Skelton, a widow, aged twenty-three. Her dowry almost doubled his land and slaves. In addition to Monticello, Jefferson's holdings later included several plantations in Albemarle County and Poplar Forest estate in Bedford County." (Timeline).
             Jefferson served in the House of Burgesses for Albemarle County until 1776.
             "It was during this time that Jefferson showed himself to be an effective committeeman and skillful draftsman, though not an able speaker." (Biography, p.2) "Jefferson's reputation as a writer preceded him to Philadelphia where he was a delegate to the second continental congress and on June 11, 1776 he was appointed to join Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston in drafting a declaration of Independence." (Timeline).
             There are several important points in the Declaration that are to be discussed. First Jefferson states in the second paragraph that "all men are created equal." However, Jefferson was a slave owner himself, even after this was written. Studies of the Declaration states that Jefferson means equal in possessing a moral sense; the moral sense is not only man's highest faculty, but the one that is equal to all men." (Anthology, p.728).
             Second Jefferson states that laws of the government should not be changed for "light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed." (Anthology, p.728) Jefferson then discusses that if there is evidence to change the governing powers there needs to be new guards for their future security. (Anthology, p. 729) After this is established, Jefferson gives a list of about twenty reasons why the king of England is being overthrown by the United States and a new government would be taking over.


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