Julie Borrego
Eng 48A
Journal for Thomas Jefferson

"Determined to keep open a market where men should be bought and sold." (Jefferson)

"The appointment of a woman to office is an innovation for which the public is not prepared, nor I." (Jefferson)


Summary:

I found this quote to be interesting, because Jefferson was blaming Brittan for Americans insatiable appetite for slaves. As if they were the drug dealers providing drugs to junkies. It amused me that he by-passed American responsibility and placed in solely on Brittan.

My Ideas:

I feel that Jefferson admired Paine, but just really could not achieve the Enlightenment that Paine accomplished he missed the mark. Paine was like the older Brother, who accomplished bigger and better things.

It is interesting how twisted Jefferson was on slavery and how it is documented in his letters as well. He was honest about his confusion. He knew he was a hypocrite but could not find his way out and above slavery. I feel he truly aspired to live by his Ideals, but stopped short when it came to Native Americans, Women and Slaves.

And now I go back to the drug analogy, slavery was like heroin for Jefferson, he needed it, enjoyed it, but knew it was wrong. He continually needed to purchase more slaves to feed his habit (Taking care of his plantation). It was a tangled web that he wove, and just could not find his way out.

It is hard for me to admire Jefferson now as the author of our Declaration of the United States of America, because he was a slave owner and with that knowledge I view the Declaration differently, it was not written for all men, just White landowners.