…the steady character of our countrymen is a rock to which we may safely moor…

—Thomas Jefferson to Elbridge Gerry, 29 Mar. 1801  {More}

we owe gratitude to France, justice to England, good will to all, and subservience to none. . .

—Thomas Jefferson to Arthur Campbell, 1 September 1797  {More}

Great Britain is the nation which can do us the most harm of any one, or all on earth; and with her on our side we need not fear the whole world.

—Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 24 October 1823  {More}

…nothing in Europe can counterbalance the freedom, the simplicity, the friendship & the domestic felicity we enjoy in America.

—Thomas Jefferson to Johann Ludwig de Unger, 16 February 1788  {More}

An equilibrium of agriculture, manufactures & commerce is certainly become essential to our independance.

—Thomas Jefferson to James Jay, 7 April 1809  {More}

…no man has greater confidence, than I have, in the spirit of our people, to a rational extent. whatever they can, they will.

—Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 16 Oct. 1814  {More}

cultivators of the earth are the most valuable citizens. they are the most vigorous, the most independant, the most virtuous, & they are tied to their country & wedded to it’s liberty & interests by the most lasting bands.

—Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 23 August 1785  {More}