Thomas+Jefferson+Revolutionary+War+Leader

**//Thomas Jefferson//** Cody Cline 11/11/11 5th period **//Revolutionary War Leader//**

Thomas Jefferson was a supporter of the American rebellion and against the British during the time of the Revolutionary war. He was the principle author of the Declaration of Independence and was part of the continental congress, representing Virginia. He served as a wartime governor of Virginia and barely avoided capture by the British in 1781.


 * //Life Achievements//**

Thomas achieved many goals throughout his time in the war and beyond. Shortly after the war ended he served as a commissioner in Paris initially to negotiate commercial treaties. In May of 1785 he became the United States minister to France and was soon the United States first secretary of state in 1790 until 1793. During the administration of George Washington he advised against a national bank and the Jay Treaty. Upon leaving office alongside James Madison, he arranged the Democratic Republican Party apposing Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton’s policies. He soon became the 3rd president of the United States and bought the vast Louisiana territory from France, and sent the Louis and Clark expedition to explore the new west. Jefferson was part of the Virginia planter elite, and having been a tobacco planter, he owned hundreds of slaves throughout his life. He remained a widower for the rest of his lifetime after his wife Martha Wayles Sk elton Jefferson, died in childbirth. They had 6 children in their marriage and it is believed that after her death Jefferson had an intimate relationship with her half- sister, and mixed slave Sally Hemmings and fathered her six children, then set them free when they were of age. Thomas was also a polymath; he spoke five languages and was deeply interested in science and political philosophy.

**//Death of Jefferson//** By July 1825 Jefferson’s health started to deteriorate and by the next day was confined to bed. His death was of natural causes including combinations of illnesses such as uremia, severe diarrhea and pneumonia. Thomas Jefferson died on July 4th 1826 also the 15th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and only a few hours before John Adams. Even after being born into a wealthy slave owning family, Jefferson had many financial problems and died very deep in debt. He gave instructions for the disposal of his belongings in his Will and after his death they were sold off in public auctions. He was buried at Monticello which was sold 1831.