No Donut

“Her ministers have been weak enough to believe from the newspapers that Mr. Madison and myself are personally her enemies. Such an idea is unworthy a man of sense; as we should have been unworthy our trusts could we have felt such a motive of public action. No two men in the United States have more sincerely wished for cordial friendship with her; not as her vassals or dirty partisans, but as members of coequal States, respecting each other, and sensible of the good as well as the harm each is capable of doing the other. On this ground, there was never a moment we did not wish to embrace her. But repelled by their aversions, feeling their hatred at every point of contact, and justly indignant at its supercilious manifestations, that happened which has happened, that will follow which must follow, in progressive ratio, while such dispositions continue to be indulged. I hope they will see this, and do their part towards healing the minds and cooling the temper of both nations”

Thomas Jefferson, 1815

*looks at what she just reblogged*

HAH!

(via foundingfatherfest)

Hee.  Yes.  Jefferson swore up and down that he wasn’t looking for a war with the UK.  But his actions bespeak otherwise.  At one time, a full DOZEN British warships were left almost empty in an American harbor because the Americans bribed them all away.  (And nobody liked working for the British Navy)

The British Ambassador of the time said (I believe) “British seamen were being lured away by American seduction”.  This remains endlessly funny for me.

“I called on Mr. Madison, who accompanied me officially to introduce me to the president. We went together to the mansion-house I being in full official costume, as the etiquette of my place required on such a formal introduction of a minister from Great Britain to the president of the United States. On arriving at the hall of audience, we found it empty; at which Mr. Madison seemed surprised, and proceeded to an entry leading to the president’s study. I followed him, supposing the introduction was to take place in the adjoining room. At this moment Mr. Jefferson entered the entry at the other end, and all three of us were packed in this narrow space, from which, to make room, I was obliged to back out. In this awkward position my introduction to the president was made by Mr. Madison. Mr. Jefferson’s appearance soon explained to me that the general circumstances of my reception had not been accidental, but studied. I, in my official costume, found myself at the hour of reception he had himself appointed, introduced to a man as president of the United States, not merely in an undress, but ACTUALLY STANDING AT SLIPPERS DOWN AT THE HEELS, and both pantaloons, coat, and under-clothes indicative of utter slovenliness and indifference to appearances, and in a state of negligence actually studied. I could not doubt that the whole scene was prepared and intended as an insult, not to me personally, but to the sovereign I represented.”

Anthony Merry, quoted from James Parton’s Life of Thomas Jefferson

I think people forget that Jefferson’s image of republican simplicity was done deliberately (though it’s difficult to tell when projected self-image ends and bad fashion begins) mostly for political reasons. Makes one wonder tho whether this is how TJ actually thought the everyday man would receive an esteemed guest or if he just wanted to give Great Britain the finger; a little patronizing, n’est-ce pas?

(via publius-esquire)

I believe that Jefferson actually wrote down some comment about John Marshall, related to how he lacked refinement. Very annoying, considering that John Marshall was known for his lack of pretension. Guess republican simplicity only counts when you do it, eh, TJ?

(via foundingfatherfest)

Jefferson dressed that way for everybody in his first term.

He did deliberately insult Britain, but this wasn’t one of those ways.

(via foundingfatherfest)