Was Thomas Jefferson A Man Of His Word?

Was Thomas Jefferson a Man of his Word? Thomas Jefferson was the third president of the United States, a helper in writing the Constitution and the U.S ambassador to France. Jefferson was responsible for U.S successes such as the Lousianna purchase, but did he follow through on all of his promises? Thomas Jefferson, who was loved by many, was not a man of his word. Jefferson’s writing and words were not always followed through by his actions.

In 1787 in a letter to Edward Rutledge Jefferson writes, “"I congratulate you, my dear friend, on the law of your state [South Carolina] for suspending the importation of slaves, and for the glory you have justly acquired by endeavoring to prevent it forever,” Congratulating his friend on the abolishing

As a Democratic-Republican, Jefferson believed that the Constitution should be interpreted strictly. Jefferson also believed in more of a “power to the people government.” Jefferson wrote this about government power in 1791. “I consider the foundation of the Constitution that 'all powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States or to the people.' [the 10th Amendment] To take a single step beyond these boundaries, is to take possession of a boundless field of power.” The government should not do things that are not explicitly stated as a power they possess. The Louisiana Purchase was actually a direct violation of the 10th Amendment. Despite Jefferson's desire to never violate the Constitution, it seemed he had crossed his own line. According to the 10th Amendment, the government cannot be granted powers not delegated to it by the Constitution and nowhere is it stated in the Constitution that the president has the ability to purchase land from foreign powers. Jefferson knew this was an amendment to the Constitution. However, he directly violated it by buying land from the French. Jefferson did not follow through with the things he said and