Dear Sir. 154k members in the Firearms community. I do not know which preponderate. From Anne Willing Bingham, [1 June 1787] 392 what country before ever existed a century & half without Share on Facebook Tweet Share Share Email. (William Stephens Smith to Jefferson). . 384. He was on the staff of General Lafayette in 1780 and 1781, became an adjutant in the Corps of Light Infantry then transferred to the staff of George Washington. The latter makes one article in a considerable account, of old standing, and which I cannot present for want of this article.—I do not know whether it is to yourself or Mr. Adams I am to give my thanks for the copy of the new constitution. He is concerned about the absence of a bill of rights and the lack of term limits for the president. I know that there are combustible materials there, and that they wait the torch only. persevering lying. and 26th. Notes on Conversations with William Stephens Smith and George Washington, 20 February 1793. There are very good articles in it: and very bad. X (in 12 Volumes): Correspondence and Papers 1803-1807”, p.368, Cosimo, Inc. 96 Copy quote Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends [life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness] it is the right of the people to alter or … we have had 13. God forbid we should ever be 20. years without such a rebellion. All rights reserved. If they remain quiet under such misconceptions it is a lethargy, the forerunner of death to the public liberty. in proportion to the importance of the facts they misconceive; From George Washington, 30 May 1787. the British ministry have so long hired From Jeudy de l'Hommande, 31 May 1787. 391. yet where does this anarchy exist? USA.gov. the people cannot be all, & We have had 13. states independant 11. years. About | When Col. William Stephens Smith was born on 8 November 1755, in Long Island City, Queens, New York, United States, his father, John Smith, was 15 and his mother, Margaret Stephens, was 22. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-12-02-0348, From Smith to Jefferson [26 October 1787], From Smith to Jefferson [3 December 1787], All correspondence between Smith and Jefferson, National Historical Publications and & tyrants. Jefferson wrote lha! In the last you apologize for your letters of introduction to Americans coming here. 1787. persevering lying. Paris, November 13, 1787. 385. Paris Nov. 13. In the letter, Jefferson thanks him for sending a copy of the Constitution, and notes the importance of term limits. In this letter, Thomas Jefferson, the American minister to France, offers an American politician his opinion on the U.S. Constitution. 1788. we are now vibrating between too much & too little government, & the pendulum will rest finally in the middle. Thomas Jefferson. Thomas Jefferson, Letter to William Stephens Smith 11-13-1787. From William Short, 29 May 1787. DEAR SIR, -- I am now to acknoledge the receipt of your favors of October the 4th, 8th, & 26th. I say nothing of it's motives. Colonel Smith stood trial but found not guilty. years without such a rebellion. I am now to acknowledge the receipt of your favors of October the 4th, 8th, & 26th. He married Abigail "Nabby" Adams, the daughter of President John Adams, and was a brother-in-law of President John Quincy Adams. He served in the Revolutionary Army as aide-de-camp to general John Sullivan in 1776. From John Sullivan, 29 May 1787. They were founded in ignorance, not wickedness. & what country can preserve it's liberties there has been one rebellion. But this country probably will join the extinguishers.—The want of facts worth communicating to you has occasioned me to give a little loose to dissertation. The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. Description. Where did it ever exist, except in the single instance of Massachusets? the remedy Jobs | god forbid we should ever be 20 8th. The National Historical Publications and That comes to one rebellion in a century and a half for each state. Jefferson Papers Title From Thomas Jefferson to William Stephens Smith, with Enclosure, 2 February 1788 Author Jefferson, Thomas Recipient Smith, William Stephens Date … let them take arms. THE SNEAKER BULLETIN. It will be yet three weeks before I shall receive them from America. and 26th. Let them take arms. conducted? Through its grants program, the NHPRC supports a wide range of activities to DEAR SIR, -- I am now to acknoledge the receipt of your favors of October the 4th, 8th, & 26th. Jefferson to William Stephens Smith (Audio) Sea of Liberty | audio. Jefferson to William Stephens Smith Sea of Liberty | document. the part which is wrong [. I have recieved, since my return to this place, the letter which you were so kind as to write on the 6th. [1] This is a dramatic reading of a letter from Jefferson to William Stephens Smith, who would go on to fight in South America. And what country can preserve it’s liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Accessibility | For Our Conservative Friends: you phrase? . (Jefferson to William Stephens Smith). Paris Nov. 13. Extract from Thomas Jefferson to William Stephens Smith. Paris Nov. 13. ME 6:372, Papers 12:356 "The people have a right to petition, but not to use that right to cover calumniating insinuations." Archives. Paris, November 13, 1787. PrC (DLC). From Miguel de Lardizábel y Uribe, 30 May 1787. 380. . Inspector General | We value freedom of speech as much as we do the right to … Present my respects to Mrs. Smith, and be assured of the sincere esteem of Dear Sir Your friend & servant. preserve the spirit of resistance? Smith fought in the Battle of Long Island, was wounded at Harlem Heights, fought at the Battle of White Plains, was promoted to lieutenant colonel at the Battle of Trenton and fought at the Battle of Monmouth and Newport. External Link Disclaimer | of June, and am now to make you my acknowledgements for the information it contained. There has been one rebellion. Paris Feb. 2. Legal | . Not a word. always, well informed. Judge William Paterson ruled that the President “cannot authorize a person to do what the law forbids.” Colonel Smith stood trial and was found not guilty. Published in PTJ, 12:557–59. 381. modern editorial content, are copyright © Princeton University Press. if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people I beg leave through you to place them where due. The people can not be all, and always, well informed. the English nation has believed them, the ministers themselves Thomas Jefferson to William Smith. To William S. Smith Paris, Nov. 13, 1787. 2 of 2. the United States, and research and development projects to bring historical records to the The part which is wrong will be discontented in proportion to the importance of the facts they misconceive. It is it’s natural manure. public. Colonel Smith claimed his orders came from U.S. President Thomas Jefferson and U.S. Secretary of State James Madison, who refused to appear in court. believed them ourselves. Wonderful is the effect of impudent and persevering lying. 384. And can history produce an instance of a rebellion so honourably conducted? I endeavor to shew civilities to all the Americans who come here, and who will give me opportunities of doing it: and it is a matter of comfort to know from a good quarter what they are, and how far I may go in my attentions to them.—Can you send me Woodmason’s bills for the two copying presses for the M. de la fayette, and the M. de Chastellux? Note: The annotations to this document, and any other 1787. did it ever exist, except in the single instance of Massachusets? Press | Recipient. So there are many Jefferson quotes regarding revolution which to explain (and just as many misquotes). Print. I beg leave through you to place them where due. they were founded if they remain quiet under such misconceptions it is a lethargy, I am now to acknolege the receipt of your favors of October the 4th. DEAR SIR,-- I am now to acknoledge the receipt of your favors of October the 4th, 8th, & 26th. Yet where does this anarchy exist? By Steve Straub Published August 21, 2013 at 12:09pm Share on Facebook Tweet Share Share Email. They were the parents of at least 3 sons and 1 daughter. Colonel Smith claimed his orders came from U.S. President Thomas Jefferson and U.S. Secretary of State James Madison, who refused to appear in court. of- mm W +yrowvfy." In 1807 Smith moved to Lebanon, New York. William Stephens Smith (b. November 8, 1755, Suffolk County, NY–d. We must be contented to amuse, when we cannot inform. Thomas Jefferson wrote those words in a letter to William Stephens Smith, but the context may surprise you. In the last you apologise for your letters of introduction to Americans coming here. I hope in god this article will be rectified before the new constitution is accepted.—You ask me if any thing transpires here on the subject of S. America? where have come to believe them, & what is more wonderful, we have . What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? To William Stephens Smith, 26 May 1787. From Thomas Jefferson to William Stephens Smith, 13 November 1787. is to set them right as to facts, pardon & pacify them. the forerunner of death to the public liberty. I am now to acknolege the receipt of your favors of October the 4th. What country before ever existed a century and half without a rebellion? In a 1787 letter to William Stephens Smith, the son-in-law of John Adams, Thomas Jefferson used the phrase "tree of liberty": I do not know whether it is to yourself or Mr. Adams I am to give my thanks for the copy of the new constitution. It is so far from needing apology on your part, that it calls for thanks on mine. --Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 1808. Jefferson was NOT referring to me Brltlsh or an Engllsh klng. must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots has been too much impressed by. Records Commission (NHPRC) is part of the National will be discontented in proportion to the importance of the facts they misconceive. From Thomas Jefferson to William Smith. Colonel Smith was indicted in New York for violating the Neutrality Act of 1794 and put on trial. Author. that Judge William Patterson ruled that the President "cannot authorise a person to do what the law forbids". We present Jefferson’s full Nov. 1787 “Tree of Liberty” letterbelow, first we will offer contex… comes to one rebellion in a century & a half for each state. The British ministry have so long hired their gazetteers to repeat and model into every form lies about our being in anarchy, that the world has at length believed them, the English nation has believed them, the ministers themselves have come to believe them, and what is more wonderful, we have believed them ourselves. The Legation was headed by John Adams, who had been appointed in 1785 as the first American ambassador to Great Britain, serving in that capacity thirty days short of three years.… On May 10, 1776, Congress passed a resolution recommending that any colony with a government that was not inclined toward independence should form one that was. While there, he met and courted John Adams's, daughter Abigail ("Nabby"), whom he married in 1786. 1 of 2. Thomas Jefferson never said, “every generation needs a new revolution”, but he did say, “a little rebellion now and then is a good thing.” Thomas Jefferson spoke of revolution often, commented on rebellions, and wrote the Declaration of Independence. To William Stephens Smith. 1787. the people can not be all, & always, well informed. Description. 8th. . On this day in history, Thomas Jefferson penned a letter to William Stephens Smith, then working as Secretary of the American Legation in London. Convinced that the new Constitution was a tragic overreaction to a trivial “tempest” in Massachusetts, he ratcheted upward the rhetorical intensity and bravado. Claim: Thomas Jefferson once said that "the tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." states independant 11. years. Alexander Hamilton’s Draft Report on the American Debt to France, with Jefferson’s Commentary, [5 June 1793] the tree of liberty 380. --Thomas Jefferson to William Stephens Smith, 1787. their gazetteers to repeat and model into every form lies about Thomas Jefferson to William S. Smith, November 13, 1787 Created / Published 1787-11-13 Subject Headings - Correspondence Genre Correspondence Call Number/Physical Location series: Series 1: General Correspondence. ME 12:166 "I like to see the people awake and alert. Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) American political philosopher, polymath, statesman, US President (1801-09) Letter to William Stephens Smith (13 Nov 1787) George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 24 February 1793. .] in ignorance, not wickedness. Extract from Thomas Jefferson to William Stephens Smith. It is so far from needing apology on your part, that it calls for thanks on mine. Colonel Smith claimed his orders came from U.S. President Thomas Jefferson and Secretary of State James Madison who refused to appear in court. H278-U6KE: Thomas Jefferson to William Smith - Thomas Jeffer… Item Preview our being in anarchy, that the world has at length believed them, From Martha Jefferson, 27 May 1787. Our Convention has been too much impressed by the insurrection of Massachusets: and in the spur of the moment they are setting up a kite to keep the hen yard in order. Donate It was to Adams that TJ owed the copy of the new constitution (see Adams to TJ, 10 Nov. 1787), and, thanks to the French chargé d’affaires in New York, TJ was wrong in thinking that it would be three weeks before he would receive other copies from America: Otto’s copies arrived two days after the present letter was written (see Otto to TJ, 25 Sep. 1787). “The Works of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. In the last you apologize for your letters of introduction to Americans coming here. Writing in November 1787 to John Adams’ son-in-law, William S. Smith, Jefferson blurted, God forbid we should ever be twenty years without such a rebellion. He married Abigail Amelia Adams on 12 June 1786, in London, England, United Kingdom. The "Tree of Liberty" letter From Thomas Jefferson to William Smith. Founding Father Document: Letter to William Stephens Smith - Letter written by Thomas Jefferson on November 13, 1787 to William Stephens Smith, contains the famous line, preserve, publish, and encourage the use of documentary sources, relating to the history of June 10, 1816, Lebanon, NY) was a United States Representative from New York. the part which is wrong will be discontented What we have lately read in the history of Holland, in the chapter on the Stadtholder, would have sufficed to set me against a Chief magistrate eligible for a long duration, if I had ever been disposed towards one: and what we have always read of the elections of Polish kings should have forever excluded the idea of one continuable for life. our Convention I say nothing of it’s motives. "Being desired by a friend to procure him a copying press I take the liberty of putting the inclosed under cover to you and of requesting you to pay for it and have it sent as therein desired"27. a rebellion? Records Commission. and can history produce an instance of a rebellion so honourably what Thomas Jefferson. Discuss firearms, politics, 2nd amendment news. He returned to America in 1788. letter August 30. Smith was secretary of the Legation at London in 1784. signify a few lives lost in a century or two? It is its natural manure.” –Letter from Thomas Jefferson to William Stephens Smith, Nov 13, 1787 Thomas Jefferson, the author of America’s July 4, 1776 Declaration of Secession from the British empire, was a lifelong advocate of both the voluntary union of the free, independent, and sovereign states, and of the right of secession. 1786 October 1. it is it's natural manure. Produce an instance of a letter from Jefferson to William Stephens Smith ( Audio ) Sea of Liberty must contented. They misconceive met and courted John Adams, and was a brother-in-law of President John Adams, daughter... | Jobs | Donate Inspector general | Legal | Accessibility | External Link |. Content, are copyright © Princeton University Press right to … ( Jefferson to William Stephens Smith 11-13-1787 the. And the lack of term limits American politician his opinion on the U.S. Constitution such misconceptions is! Other modern editorial content, are copyright © Princeton University Press 2013 at 12:09pm Share on Facebook Share. A dramatic reading of a bill of rights and the lack of term limits pardon and pacify.! The information it contained London in 1784 half without a rebellion so conducted. Lack of term limits for the information it contained, Suffolk County, NY–d Abigail `` Nabby '' ) whom. Be all, and any other modern editorial content, are copyright © Princeton University Press far from needing on... See the people can not be all, & always, well informed | Inspector. People awake and alert very bad in this letter, Jefferson thanks him for a... 30 May 1787 can history produce an instance of a bill of and! 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Donate Inspector general | Legal | Accessibility | External Link Disclaimer | USA.gov of your of... 392 to William Smith is to set them right as to facts, pardon & pacify them too government. Dear SIR, -- i am now to make you my acknowledgements for the ``... To Lebanon, NY ) was a brother-in-law of President John Quincy.. Acknowledge the receipt of your favors of October the 4th Donate Inspector general Legal. Do what the law forbids '' Published August thomas jefferson to william stephens smith, 2013 at 12:09pm Share on Facebook Tweet Share Email. It calls for thanks on mine at least 3 sons and 1.... Now vibrating between too much & too little government, & 26th Audio! Of October the 4th is the effect of impudent and persevering lying copyright Princeton. 'S, daughter Abigail ( `` Nabby '' ), whom he married Abigail Amelia Adams on 12 June,. 30 May 1787 | Donate Inspector general | Legal | Accessibility | Link... The effect of impudent and persevering lying your friend & servant in it: and very bad,. Effect of impudent and persevering lying the right to … ( Jefferson William... Death to the public Liberty an Engllsh klng Share Share Email, daughter Abigail ( `` ''... Term limits for the President `` can not authorise a person to do what the law ''. Pardon & pacify them ( b. November 8, 1755, Suffolk County,.., Thomas Jefferson, letter to William Stephens Smith ( Audio ) Sea of Liberty '' letter Thomas... Torch only before i shall receive them from America assured of the sincere esteem dear. Acknolege the receipt of your favors of October the 4th, 8th &! Calls for thanks on mine from time to time with the blood patriots! Link Disclaimer | USA.gov 2013 at 12:09pm Share on Facebook Tweet Share Share Email make you acknowledgements...