Skip to main content

Secondary sourceNewspaper articleDecember 1858

Thomas Jefferson (conclusion)

December 1858

The concluding part of an 1858 magazine essay examining Jefferson's time as Secretary of State and his political conflicts with Hamilton.

Discusses Jefferson's role as Secretary of State and his political rivalry with Hamilton.

Ask Thomas Jefferson about this sourceView the original(opens in new tab)
Full text (Wikisource)

About this source

What it is

This is the second and final part of an essay on Thomas Jefferson published in The Atlantic Monthly in December 1858. It continues a review of a biography and discusses Jefferson's return from France, his role as Secretary of State, and his disputes with Alexander Hamilton in George Washington's cabinet.

Why it matters

Written within living memory of the events, the essay shows how 19th-century Americans understood the rivalry between Jefferson and Hamilton as rooted in differing political principles. It gives insight into how Jefferson's legacy was being shaped soon after his death.

Look closer

  • What reasons does the author give for the disagreements between Jefferson and Hamilton?
  • How does the author try to defend Jefferson's conduct in the cabinet?
  • What does this essay leave out that a modern historian might include?

This newspaper article is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Thomas Jefferson on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

More Thomas Jefferson sources

Meet the AI Thomas Jefferson →
Scan of the engrossed Declaration of Independence on aged parchment. Heading reads 'In Congress, July 4, 1776' with the title 'The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America' below. Dense handwritten text fills the page; signatures appear at the bottom.Document

Primary source

Declaration of Independence

Continental Congress (drafted by Thomas Jefferson) · 1776

Oval stipple engraving portrait of a man with white hair, dark coat and white cravat, titled 'Tho.s Jefferson, President of the United States of America', with 'European Magazine' above and publication line below.Painting

Primary source

Thomas Jefferson Stipple Engraving after Gilbert Stuart

After Gilbert Stuart · 1802

Document

Primary source

Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom

Thomas Jefferson · written 1777, enacted 16 January 1786

Engraved print of a man with white powdered hair in an oval frame, wearing a dark coat and cravat, set against horizontal line hatching. Below: 'Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States of America', number 239, and 'J. Kay 1801' signature.Painting

Primary source

Thomas Jefferson Etching by John Kay, 1807

Gilbert Stuart · 1807

Engraved portrait print of Thomas Jefferson, a man with curly white hair in a dark coat, high white collar and lace jabot, shown on a page of a bound album. Caption below reads JEFFERSON, Dédié au Général Lafayette.Painting

Secondary source

Porträt Thomas Jefferson

Auguste Gaspard Louis Boucher Desnoyers

Ready when you are

Start chatting with Thomas Jefferson now.

20 messages free · No credit card · Available in 50+ languages.

Trial Humy for freeGet a quote for institutions