Patrick Henry, who was at that time a broken-down merchant, and had given no sign of the wonderful oratory for which he became famous at the beginning of the revolution. Jefferson was a hard-working student and speedily gained favor with his teachers; twelve to fifteen hours per day he devoted to his books, and became fairly versed in the classical tongues, and in French, Italian, and Spanish, to which he added a tolerable education in mathematics. On leaving college he turned his attention to the law, studied for about five years under judge George Wythe, and in 1767, at the age of 24, was admitted to the bar. As a lawyer his success was immediate, and he soon had a wide practice, his income from clients in the first year being about $3,000 at a time when legal charges were comparatively light. In the following years he was still more successful; and in 1771 a prominent lawyer put him in charge of all his unfinished litigation. In 1769 Jefferson was chosen a member of the Virginia house of burgesses, and immediately became conspicuous for his opposition to the encroachments of the British government. He is credited with writing the resolutions that contained the points of a reply to governor Botetourt's speech. He was also one of the signers of the non-importation compact. The question of emancipating slaves was then agitated in England, but little had been heard on the subject in the colonies. Jefferson proposed an act which would give masters the right to free their slaves whenever they thought proper; but the bill failed to pass, and the principle was not established until 17 years later. His term over, he resumed law practice, removed to an unfinished house (subsequently world-famous as "Monticello"), and on New Year's day, 1772, was married to Martha Skelton, daughter of John Wales, a lawyer, and widow of Bathurst Skelton-a remarkably handsome and graceful woman of 23 years, who brought with her a considerable property. Among her property was 40,000 acres of land and 135 slaves. Added to about an equal amount belonging to the husband, they were enabled to begin wedded life on a liberal scale.

Early in 1773, Jefferson, Henry, and others, devised the famous committee of correspondence for the spreading of political intelligence among the colonies, and the burgesses made the two men members of that committee. In the summer the governor dissolved the house, but an election was soon afterwards held at which all the members were re-chosen and appeared in their seats in the spring of 1774. Again the house was dissolved by the governor; but not until after passing a resolution offered by Jefferson to observe the 1st of June in fasting, humiliation, and prayer, because of the adoption in parliament of the Boston port bill. After the dissolution the burgesses met secretly and proposed a convention of deputies, to be chosen by the people and to meet Aug. 1. Of this convention Jefferson was made a member, but illness prevented his attendance. This body was to choose delegates to the general congress of the colonies, and Jefferson wrote elaborate instructions for the guidance of the congressional delegates. These he sent to Peyton Randolph, the presiding officer of the convention. Some time afterwards, the burgesses directed the printing of these instructions, and the first of Jefferson's political writings appeared as "A Summary View of the Rights of British America." This document was revised by Edmund Burke and published in England, a circumstance which Jefferson supposed was the reason for including his name with others as a traitor in a bill to punish sedition. This "Summary" was a forcible argument for the right to resist oppressive taxation, and many of its points bear a close resemblance to certain parts of the Declaration of July 4, 1776. It was so radical that the convention refused to adopt it, most of the members still hoping for some peaceable compromise with the mother country. Jefferson was a member of the second Virginia convention. which met in the spring of 1775, and was one of the committee that reported a plan of defense. In the choice for members of congress Jefferson was selected as the substitute for Peyton Randolph, whose duties as governor of the colony might prevent his attendance. At the meeting of the burgesses June 1, Jefferson, though not a member, prepared the answer of the Virginia assembly to the conciliatory propositions of the home government. On June 13 Washington appointed Jefferson commander-in-chief of the forces of the colonies, and this act placed the colonies in open resistance to the British government. In congress Jefferson's arrival was impatiently awaited; and when he came his bold and vigorous reply to lord North's “conciliatory proposals" was cordially approved. This document and the "Summary" gave him high position among the ablest men in congress; and though never making long speeches he was in committee so "prompt, frank, explicit, and decisive," says John Adams, that he quickly won the warmest respect of his fellow-members. He was one of a committee to prepare a declaration of the reasons for an appeal to arms, and he and John Dickinson wrote the document which congress adopted. Jefferson was then requested to prepare the reply of congress to the proposals of lord North, and congress approved the reply and adjourned. In Nov., 1775, it was known that the last petition to the home government had been rejected. In May, 1776. Virginia instructed her delegates in congress to urge a declaration of independence by the colonies. Events were hastening to a crisis; in the early part of June a committee to prepare such a declaration was chosen, and Jefferson was put at the head. By general consent the other members of the committee looked to him to prepare the document. He consented, and wrote the American Magna Charta, all of which was his work, except two or three verbal changes proposed by Adams or Franklin. The declaration was presented to congress June 28. Four days afterwards a resolution offered by Richard Henry Lee, in obedience to instructions by Virginia, to

Jefferson.

the same effect as the coming declaration, was adopted. On July 2, Jefferson's report was taken up, and a very warm debate followed, occupying congress exclusively until the adoption of the famous document. Some of the most eminent members made vigorous opposition. On the other side were equally eminent members as vigorously urging adoption. On Thursday, July 4, the declaration was adopted, and the record received a document that has no rival in importance in modern political history.

At the next election, Jefferson was again chosen a delegate to congress, but he declined to take his seat, believing he could best serve the cause of liberty at home, where he proposed important changes in the local laws, with a view of preparing the way for the self-government which would follow the coming independence of the colonies. During the spring he had prepared a sketch of a constitution, which he now sent to the convention in session. In the meantime a constitution had been drafted by George Mason, and the convention was about to vote upon it. The result was the addition of Jefferson's preamble to Mason's constitution, which was adopted. Jefferson was chosen to the legislature, where he labored incessantly in reforming old and proposing new laws; but he met with great opposition in the case of many of his most important propositions, and this mainly from the aristocratic and the wealthy, who feared abridgment of their privileges. One of the most important of his reforms was in the bill to establish religious freedom; another to abolish entail, and another to put an end to the right of primogeniture. At that time the condition of society in Virginia was such that the "old families" would naturally be shocked at the bold iconoclasm of Jefferson; but their opposition was in vain; the old English customs and laws were doomed, as incompatible with a republican form of government. With just pride for his share in these reforms Jefferson wrote, in the inscription prepared by himself for his monument, not only "Author of the Declaration of Independence," but also- and of the statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom." He remained in the legislature in 1777-78, and among his leading measures was a bill to prohibit the importation of slaves. On June 1, 1779, he was chosen governor of the colony, or state, taking the chair in the darkest period of the revolution. The English were about to push the war in the south; Virginia had 10,000 men in the field, but at home was almost defenseless. The British invaded Georgia and turned northward; almost the last of Virginia's men, horses, and arms were sent to the relief of the imperiled territory. There were no const or river fortifications, and no means of opposing a hostile fleet beyond a few small vessels and gunboats poorly equipped and feebly manned. The enemy seized Hampton and Portsmouth, and the traitor Arnold, with 2,000 men, moved up the James without serious opposition, entering Richmond, the capital, Jan. 5, 1781. The governor and other officers were compelled to leave. Arnold plundered the town, burned a portion of it, and sailed away. In April Cornwallis sent Tarleton to capture or disperse the Virginia legislature, then assembled at Charlottesville. He surprised, but did not capture them. Jefferson, who was at Monticello, near Charlottesville, hurried away his family, gathered his more valuable papers, and followed them. Tarleton had been sent especially to seize governor Jefferson, but his men stopped so often to plunder that he failed. Jefferson's term of office expired a day or two before Tarleton's foray. For his conduct at this time Jefferson was widely censured, and he felt the adverse criticisms keenly, to which mental suffering was added the loss of his wife within this period of trouble. He retired to his home, but was soon called upon by congress to become one of the commissioners to make the treaty of peace with England; but matters had progressed so far before he could sail that the appointment was revoked. He had been chosen a member of congress, and was chairman of the committee to whom the peace treaty had been referred. At the following session of congress he became active and prominent in legis lation, proposing the system of coinage for the government, and preparing a plan for the temporary government of the western territory. His plan was adopted with only one important amendment; he had provided for the total abolition of slavery after the year 1800; but to this congress would not agree.

In May, 1784, Jefferson, John Adams, and Franklin were sent to Europe under a general power to make commercial treaties. Jefferson took his eldest daughter with him, and joined his associate commissioners in Paris in July. Important treaties were made with Prussia for trade, and with Morocco for the prevention of piracy. By these and other agreements blockades were abandoned, contraband articles were no longer to be confiscated, and the axiom that " the flag covers the cargo" was established. Efforts were made with England, but she would not listen to treaty propositions. About this time Jefferson published the first of his "Notes on Virginia." In 1785 he succeeded Franklin as minister to France, and in the course of his duties procured many commercial advantages for the new republic. He traveled in Italy and Germany, and in Paris became intimate with D'Alembert, Condorcet, and other extreme liberals, with whom he seemed to have an affinity. The effect of these associations was to make him through life a warm friend of the French people. In 1789 he returned, and under Washington became the first secretary of state. The organization of the government had defined political parties, and hardly was Jefferson in office before he was recognized as the republican (afterwards democratic) leader, while Alexander Hamilton was at the head of the federalists. Hamilton favored a strong federal government; Jefferson stoutly insisted upon state sovereignty and the greatest practicable limitation of the federal power.

Jeffersonville.

Hamilton, however, was successful in most of his propositions. His system of finance was approved, although violently opposed by Jefferson and Randolph. Early in 1792 Jefferson made an exhaustive report on the relations between Spain and the United States, concerning boundaries, treatment of citizens. Indian invasions, the return of fugitives, and various commercial matters. In the war between France and England, 1793, the question of neutrality rose into great importance. Jefferson and his followers were warmly in favor of France, and were ready to send fleets of privateers against English commerce. The federalists (with no love for England, although so charg、d) insisted that the United States should keep out of the trouble; that no cause of complaint should be given to either of the belligerents; that America should keep peace and friendship with all governments, but should beware of entangling alliances with any nation. Washington issued a neutrality proclamation, under Jefferson's advice; and at the same time the latter advised that Genest, who was here as minister from France, should be officially received. The conduct of Genest in fitting out privateers in American ports raised great excitement, which was not quieted until long after his government had recalled him. Jefferson was in favor of the mildest treatment of the offender, while Hamilton and others were for extreme and summary measures. This episode created a bitterness between Jefferson and Hamilton that was never removed.

On the last day of 1793 Jefferson resigned his secretaryship and went to his home at Monticello to attend to his private business. Washington's announcement in Sept., 1796, that he would not be a candidate for a third term set politicians at work, and the result was that John Adams, then vice-president, and Thomas Jefferson, were nominated by their respective parties for the office of president. Adams, having the highest vote, was chosen president, and Jefferson having the next highest, was, under the law of the time, chosen vice-president. Like most vice-presidents down to the present day, while in office he was practically out of political life, and he passed the greater part of his time at his country home. He was, however, a close observer, and could not fail to have a deep interest in the great reaction of feeling in regard to France that followed the reign of terror. The president's war-message in the early part of 1797 created intense excitement; congress declared all treaties with France void; ship-masters were instructed to resist search; large appropriations were made for defense; the alien and sedition act was passed, with other kindred acts; and in spite of the republican opposition, that party was driven as a last resort to contest the constitutionality of the alien and sedition laws, and to work up their state organizations, in which capacity they produced the Virginia resolutions of 1798 and greatly furthered the cause of state sovereignty. The excitement regarding France was soon over, and a minister was sent to that country in 1799. Washington's death, in Dec. of that year, for a brief period hushed partisan strife; but only a few months passed when the debate became more fierce than ever. The republicans gained ground rapidly, and at the presidential election in 1800 the electoral vote (except a few which might be called "scattering") was exactly divided between Jefferson and Aaron Burr, both republicans. The house of representatives, after a long struggle and 36 ballots, made Jefferson president, and Burr, according to the law, took the second place. Jefferson placated the federalists, made few removals of public officers, and avoided all action that would be likely to impair his popularity. The stately formalities of the previous administrations were ignored; Jefferson sent his messages to congress by the first boy or man at hand, and he refused to receive the customary address from that body. Radical changes were going on in the dress and manners of the people. Trousers took the place of knee-breeches, and the old courtliness gave way to a freedom of manners that could not fail to shock the members of the old aristocracy.

The first term of Jefferson's administration was quiet, although some important events occurred, the chief of which was the purchase of Louisiana from France at the price, comparatively low, of $15.000.000. Explorations across the continent were made at the president's request. A little war with Tripoli and the stopping of Algerine piracy were other events. In 1804 Jefferson was re-elected, with George Clinton for vice-president, there being no real opposition, since the federal party had previously gone to pieces. Their great leader Hamilton was killed in a duel with Burr in July of this year. In his second term Jefferson had to deal with the wild operations of Burr in the attempted raid upon Mexico, involving war with Spain, and other serious consequences. The prominent office and the still more prominent position held by Burr made his rash movements and his arrest and trial matters of the greatest importance. Such a trial could not fail to assume a political aspect, and the opponents of the government violently denounced it as partisan persecution. No doubt Jefferson was satisfied with Burr's acquittal; he had done his duty to all our foreign relations in the arrest and trial, and they would have no just cause of complaint. Another event during Jefferson's second term gave him much uneasiness. This was the British orders in council, followed by the Milan decree issued by Bonaparte. The effect of these, though not directed at the United States, was to ruin the foreign trade of the country and spread financial disaster over the land. But these orders and decrees were of far less political importance than the "right of search" claimed and exercised by Great Britaiù, under which vessels of the United States on the high seas were boarded and searched for English subjects. England theu held the doctrine once a subject always a subject.”

The impressment of American sailors went on in spite of protest, until a crisis was precipitated in June, 1807, by the English ship Richard firing into the American frigate Chesapeake, and boarding and carrying away four of her men on the charge of being British deserters. The country flamed up in excitement; the president proclaimed against the coming of English armed ships into the ports or water-jurisdiction of the United States, and preparations looking to probable war were made, the first act being the embargo, which was declared in consequence not only of the hostile attitude of England but of France also. As the embargo prohibited all American vessels from leaving home ports it amounted to an entire suspension of foreign trade. The federalists started anew into life, and made the most vigorous opposition to the embargo, which was repealed Feb., 1809, only a few days before Jefferson finally left the executive chair. With March 4, 1809, his political life came to a close. He retired to Monticello, and took no further part in national questions. His plantation had most of his care, but he found time to give valuable assistance in establishing a college near Charlottesville, out of which grew the university of Virginia. He was rector of the college in 1819, and during his life took great pride in the institution, so much so that he wrote, as a part of his epitaph, "Father of the University of Virginia." Early in 1826, having fallen into serious financial embarrassment, owing chiefly to his prodigal hospitality, Jefferson was authorized by a legislative act to dispose of his plantation by lottery, but the plan was never carried into effect. In June his health failed rapidly, and on the evening of July 3 it was clear that he was fast passing away. But he lived until the afternoon of the next day, dying a few hours earlier than his presidential predecessor, John Adams, who was then lying at the point of death at the family mansion in Quincy, Mass. In person Jefferson was tall (6 ft. 24 in.), with a bony but well-developed frame, angular features, ruddy complexion, sandy or reddish hair, and light hazel eyes. It need hardly be said that he was a man of positive opinions and convictions, and quick and firm in decision. His notions of democratic equality touched the extreme; he would not even tolerate the innocent prefix of "Mr." because it was a title. His views on religion were so liberal that he was freely accused of infidelity. He had profound respect for the moral character of Christ, but no belief in the divine redemption through Christ's work. In society he was a leveler, if not an iconoclast. He desired to reduce the aristocracy, whether of blood or wealth, and to elevate the mass of the people. Such ideas would naturally oppose human slavery, which he considered to be a great political and moral evil, saying, in reference to it, "I tremble for my country when I remember that God is just." Although he never made a formal speechi in his life, he was the ablest political leader of his time. He was quick to perceive and prompt to act. Much of his vast political work was done with the pen, and no statesman of the time had any such amount of correspondence as was sent out and received at Monticello. His home might be likened to a modern telegraphic center, where the wires come together from the farthest corners of the country. He had fair scientific acquirements, and took much interest in natural history. He was a good husband, an affectionate father, and a forbearing master. Where his friendship was given it was warm and sincere; while as a host to strangers he was regarded as exceptionally charming. His writings are widely known. The more important are Notes on Virginia; Manual of Parliamentary Practice; and The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, being his autobiography, correspondence, reports, messages, addresses, and other writings, official and private. The originals of the last named work were purchased by congress and issued in 9 vols. by the government.

JEFFERSON CITY, capital of Missouri. United States, on the s. bank of the Missouri river, 125 m. from St. Louis, with which it is connected both by the river and the Pacific railway. It has a brisk trade with the hunters, and overland emigrants to California and Utah. The city has a state-house, governor's residence, state peni- • tentiary etc. Pop. '70, 4,420.

JEFFERSON CITY (ante), the capital of Missouri and co, seat of Cole co; pop. '74, 7,500; is situated on the right bank of the Missouri river, 143 m. from its junction with the Mississippi. It is on the line of the Missouri Pacific railroad, by which it is connected with St. Louis. The site is commanding and affords a fine view of the attractive scenery on the opposite bank of the river. The city is built on an elevation, and contains a number of handsome edifices, including the governor's residence, the state penitentiary, state-house, and 8 churches.

JEFFERSONIA, a perennial herb, with matted fibrous roots and glabrous leaves; named in honor of Thomas Jefferson; sometimes called twin leaf; sepals 4, soon falling off; petals 8, oblong, flat; stamens 8, oblong-linear, on slender filaments; ovary ovoid, soon becoming gibbous (larger on one side than on the other); stigma, two-lobed; pod, pear-shaped, opening half-way round horizontally, the upper part making a lid; seeds in many rows on the lateral placenta. It belongs to the order berberidacea, sometimes called the barberry family.

JEFFERSONVILLE, a city of Clarke co., Ind.; pop. 7.254. It is situated on the Ohio river, 5 or 6 m. from New Albany and 108 m. from Indianapolis, and is connected with Louisville, Ky., which is directly opposite, by an iron railroad bridge, the longest of its kind in the United States, and which unites the railroad system of the north to that of the south. The city is built on high ground, and commands a fine view of

Louisville and of the surrounding scenery. Railroads terminating here are a branch of the Ohio and Mississippi, and the Jeffersonville, Madison and Indianapolis railroad, the latter crossing the river on the iron bridge. There are a number of important manufactories in the city of railroad cars, steamboats, farm implements, etc. An arsenal, state-prison, and 14 churches are among the public buildings.

JEFFREY, FRANCIS, Lord, a celebrated Scottish critic and lawyer, was born in Edinburgh, Oct. 23, 1773; studied classics, logic, and belles-lettres at Glasgow and Oxford, and law at the university of his native city. In 1794 he was called to the bar. Two years before this he had become a member of the Speculative society (in connection with the university). Jeffrey soon became prominent among the members by the keenness and liveliness of his intellect, and the elegance of his literary taste, but his progress at the bar was slow, partly on account of the antipathy which then existed to literary lawyers, and partly on account of his political opinions. Meanwhile he and several other young men then residing in Edinburgh, ambitious of finding a wider outlet for their talent than the discussions in the Speculative society or the practice of the bar afforded, conceived the idea of starting a critical journal. The first proposer of the scheme was the rev. Sydney Smith. The result was the establishment of the Edinburgh Review (q.v.), of which Jeffrey became editor, an office he retained till 1829. His own contributions were generally the most brilliant and attractive that appeared in its columns. On ethics, politics, and many of the questions affecting the social well-being of man, he has written with much clearness, penetration, and force; but the thing on which he is said to have placed the highest value was his Treatise on Beauty (see ESTHETICS), a charming melange of criticism, description, and sentiment, but of doubtful philosophic worth. After some years Jeffrey's practice at the bar began to increase; in jury trials he shone to great advantage, and particularly in the trials for sedition between 1817 and 1822. In 1830 he became lord-advocate for Scotland; and after the passing of the reform bill he was returned to parliament for the city of Edinburgh, which he continued to represent till 1834, when he gladly exchanged the turmoil of party politics for the duties of a judge of the court of session. During the latter years of his life, Jeffrey resided at Craigerook castle, in the vicinity of Edinburgh, where he died, Jan. 26, 1850. A selection of his essays, in 4 vols., appeared in 1844. A biography of Jeffrey by his friend, Henry lord Cockburn (q.v.), a brother judge of the court of session, was published in 2 vols. (Edin. 1852).

JEFFREYS, GEORGE, Lord, 1648-1689; an English lawyer, who rose to high position on the bench, but disgraced the ermine and rendered his name infamous forever by his needless cruelties and the unparalleled brutality of his manners. He was the son of a squire of small means, who, however, contrived to give him an education, which only rendered his evil propensities stronger. Macaulay said of his intellect, that "across labyrinths of sophistry, or through masses of immaterial fact, it would go straight to the true point. Such manners as he possessed were marked by a brutal ferocity which was never equaled by the worst ruffians or infamous characters among those whom he condemned. The very name of lord Jeffreys, even after the lapse of centuries, is synonymous with cruelty. He commenced practice at the Old Bailey, and was first common sergeant and then recorder of London, and, being a willing slave of the court, rose in his profession, until, in 1683, he became chief-justice of the king's bench. It was in this capacity that he traversed the western circuit, when the severity of the sentences which he passed upon all who had taken part in Monmouth's fatal rebellion gained for it the name of the Bloody Assizes;" he is said to have condemned 700 of these offenders to the scaffold, and boasted of his action. He was made lord high chancellor by James II., but on the outbreak of the revolution and the downfall of his patron, James II.. fearing the treatment which he had reason to expect from William III.. he attempted to leave the country in the dress of a common sailor; but was recognized in spite of his disguise and taken to the Tower, where he died. He was created a peer by James II., with the title of baron Jeffreys of Wem, but, although he had 12 children, the family became extinct in a comparatively short time, and the title lapsed.

JEFFRIES, JOHN, 1744-1819: graduated at Harvard, and afterwards traveled in Europe, and attended classes at the medical colleges in London. He visited Scotland, and received the degree of M.D. from Aberdeen university. Returning to America, he practiced at Boston until that city was evacuated by the British, when he accompanied The English troops to Halifax. He distinguished himself as an army surgeon, and in 1779 was appointed surgeon-major of the British forces in America, and was for a short time in Savannah, Ga. Although he was offered a similar position with the troops in India. he declined; he was greatly interested in scientific experiments, and more especially in the, construction of balloons, with a view to atmospheric experiments, and accompanied t François Blanchard, in his balloon trip from Dover across the channel, on which occa sion the aeronauts landed in the midst of the forest of Guines in France. Dr. Jeffries received many testimonials for this exploit from the various scientific societies of Europe and America. Returning to his native town, Boston, he continued the practice of his profession in that city. He proposed giving a series of anatomical lectures there, but the popular feeling against it was so strong that a mob broke into his room, seized the