Jefferson or Hamilton? ON POPULAR RULE: A.) “All communities divide themselves into the few and the many. The first are the rich and well born, the other, the mass of people, The voice of the people has been said to be the voice of god…it is not true in fact. The people are turbulent and changing… they seldom judge or determine right. The “betters” must get the permanent share of the government. They (the “betters”) will check unsteadiness and keep good order; they will maintain good government. Take mankind in general, they are vicious, their passions may be influenced and managed. The people are governed by their passions. One great error is that we suppose mankind more honest than they are. Government must control people’s passions. A wise government must make passions subservient to the public good.”

Jefferson or Hamilton? ON POPULAR RULE: B.) Those who labor in the earth are the chosen people of God. Their breasts he has made his peculiar deposit for substantial and genuine virtue. Men…are naturally divided into two parties. Those who fear and distrust the people…(and) those who identify themselves with the people, have confidence in them, cherish and consider them as the most honest and safe…depository of the public interest. The mass of mankind have not been born with saddles on their backs, nor a favored few booted and spurred, ready to ride them legitimately, by the grace of God. Every government degenerates when trusted to rulers alone. The people themselves are its only safe depositories. Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government; whenever things go wrong…they can be relied on to set them to rights.

Thomas Jefferson “If you hope to be ignorant and free, you hope for something that never was and never will be”

TJ’S Political mindset Child of the Enlightenment Democracy was not ideal, but practical Government is a “necessary evil.” Wished the U.S.A. to be country of small farms Feared the growth of cities, as they would commercialize the country LOVED the French Revolution

Jefferson and the Judicial Branch: Major distrust of judicial power led to repeal of the Judiciary Act of 1801. -this was an intended attempt to eliminate new judges and attorneys whose positions were filled by Federalist appointees. -Adams appointed these “midnight judges” up until the last hours of his presidency.

Judicial Branch continued… Marbury vs. Madison (1803) -midnight appointee William Marbury petitioned, ordering Sec. of State James Madison to commission his seat as a justice which he had not yet officially received. -Chief Justice John Marshall had to make a decision, (mandamus or no mandamus?)

Marbury vs. Madison results Marshall sided with Madison, but also established the principle of “Judicial Review” to re-enforce the Supreme Court’s ability to check congressional laws. This preserved his credibility as a Federalist judge.

\ Other issues of Jefferson’s presidency War with the Barbary Pirates The Louisiana Purchase The Burr-Hamilton Duel Lewis and Clark expedition