What’s the story?
In this letter to the secretary of the American Legation at London, Thomas Jefferson is arranging for the purchase of a printing press to be sent to him in Paris, France. He also asks for news from America as he has not received any Congressional publications. Jefferson closes his letter by reporting on the increasing political tension between the King of France and the Parliament of Bourdeaux.This letter shows how involved America’s founders were in the printing industry. The ease and affordability provided by 18th century printing presses allowed for the wide distribution of publications supporting American independence, which helped gain popular support for the American Revolution. While Jefferson is credited with writing the Declaration of Independence, his request for news from America shows how disconnected he became from domestic affairs while working in France. The Founding Fathers tend to be grouped together as agreeing on American independence, but their experiences before, during, and after the Revolutionary War led to widely divergent political views. For example, Jefferson’s firsthand experience of France leading up to their own Revolution would make him an ardent supporter of the French people against their monarchy. Jefferson saw the French Revolution as an extension of the republican ideals that inspired the American Revolution.
More details
theme: Unfinished Revolutionssubjects: Printing; France–History–Revolution, 1789-1799; United States–Politics and government; Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826
contributing repository: Lehigh University Libraries Special Collections
submitted by: Alex Japha
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