As President, Jefferson was much beloved. His inauguration was observed as a national holiday throughout the country. Of course, this was distasteful to Jefferson, who hated pomp and ceremony. A story is on record to the effect that he rode to the Capitol on horseback and hitched his horse to the fence, while he went in, unattended, to take the oath of office.

Whether it be true or not, we know that during his term of office Jefferson frowned upon all display, and would have no honors shown to him that might not have been offered to him as a citizen.

Jefferson chose James Madison, his most intimate friend at that time, for his Secretary of State. Congenial men made up the remainder of the cabinet. This "happy family" worked together in peace and harmony throughout the two terms of Jefferson's presidency. Many important national events marked his administration. Chief of them all .was the purchase of the Louisiana Territory from France, in 1803, for fifteen millions of dollars. Eleven entire States and parts of four others were later carved from this vast domain.

Jefferson retired forever from public life at the close of his second term. “From that time," said Daniel Webster, ”Mr. Jefferson lived as becomes a wise man. Surrounded by affectionate friends, his ardor in the pursuit of knowledge undiminished; with uncommon health and unbroken spirits, he was able to enjoy largely the rational pleasures of life; and to partake of that public prosperity to which he had contributed so much. His kindness and hospitality; the charm of his conversation; the ease of his manners; and especially the full store of revolutionary incidents which he possessed, and which he knew when and how to dispense, rendered his abode attractive in a high degree to his admiring countrymen. His high public and scientific character drew toward him every intelligent and educated traveler from abroad."

“The Sage of Monticello" died on the afternoon of July 4, 1826. A few hours afterward John Adams, too, breathed his last. Thus passed away, on the fiftieth anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the two men who had been the most instrumental in bringing it about. “Their country is their monument; its independence their epitaph."

Benjamin Franklin reading draft of Declaration of Independence, John Adams seated,

Thomas Jefferson standing, by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris, 1921.

This image available for photographic prints and downloads HERE!