Perspectus of Thomas Jefferson
...rs are. Here in this new social system, men are becoming men…citizens” (RTAP 31). Hector St. John’s letter reminds me of growing up on the frontier and watching the American people carve a civilization out of the wilderness. I also believe the men which live in the colonies deserve to be governed of themselves; elected by the people, for the people. I’d like to share with you a quotation from the final words of this letter, which further promotes my beliefs. “America is derived from the original genius and strong desire of the people, ratified and confirmed by the government. This is the great chain which links us all” (RTAP 32). Another letter I had the opportunity of reading came from a British woman commenting on the affairs in Wilmington, NC, in July of 1775. It commented on the attitudes of men from that area as well as what she called political manipulation for the rebel cause. The letter spoke of how hard the British were fighting to win colonial hearts and minds. She believed Loyalist sentiments in the region were very strong, and that she hoped they could consolidate this sentiment. She thought this would quench what they perceived as lukewarm support for the revolution, and would restore a loyal government. The British’s plan backfired and instead spawned civil war in the Carolina back country. She now believes that winning the population over the British side will not be as easy as it may have once been. Colonists have no desire to move, even when interest calls them. All that is promised to them is too distant to interest them. She goes on to say liberty is only invaded by the oppressive power of Congress and their agents, who at this Season are pressing them from their harvest. I disagree strongly with this latter statement. The rights of the colonial people are in grave danger from the King and his wrong doings. He has kept among us, in times of peace, standing Armies without the consent of our legislatures keeping these men away from their families and homes. He has imposed taxes on us without consent, money that is coming directly out of the colonist’s pockets. Last, and certainly not least, he is at this time transporting large Armies to complete the works of his tyranny on the people of the New World. Many of these wrong doings I would state later in the Declaration of Independence which I penned in summer of 1776. In the closing words of her letter, the British woman also commented on the political manipulation we are imposing on our men to get them to fight for the rebel cause. She says that an officer for the rebel cause will enter plantations with a posse and propose: Agree to join us, and your persons and property are safe. But if you refuse, we are directed to destroy your persons and property. It is my belief that it is the duty of the people to fight for their country if in fact they are engaged in battle. We offer our soldiers pay to appear no more than once a month for a merry-making, where they can have as much grog as they can drink! As I stated earlier, Britain is sending large amounts of soldiers to destroy our people, even our women and children. Freedom must be defended by these men, or they will lose their family and property at the hands of your King! My friend Benjamin Franklin wrote a plan in 1774 known as the Albany Plan. This plan basically set up a government representative of the people. It called for a president, who was chosen by the Grand Council each having members from each state. The number of representatives each state had was proportionally divided by t...