Thomas Jefferson

“Peace should be our plan, and the payment of our debts, improvement of our constitutions and extension of agriculture our principal objects,”

Thomas Jefferson · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-26

Jefferson wrote this in a 1787 letter from Paris to his friend David Rittenhouse, sharing thoughts on the constitutional convention.

“each of the three departments has equally the right to decide for itself what is its duty under the Constitution.”

Thomas Jefferson · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-26

Thomas Jefferson refused to treat Marbury v. Madison as binding beyond the parties.