(Editors note: Mr. Tom Pitz of Orange, Va portrayed Thomas Jefferson for the benefit of Herndon High students. If you would like more information about his performances, you may write Mr. Pitz at this address.
For more pictures of Mr. Jefferson at Herndon High School and some of his quotes, click here.
March 27, 1798
Vice-President Thomas Jefferson traveled from his home at Monticello to discuss the American Revolution and other issues with Herndon High School students today.
Mr. Jefferson began his lecture reminiscing about the events 20 years ago when we broke free of British oppression. He recalled his admiration for the Massachusetts patriots during the time of the Boston Tea Party and the unpleasantness at Lexington and Concord. He reminded the students of the Day of Prayer and Fasting he helped organize in support of the beleaguered citizens of Boston and the subsequent events of Virginia patriots in the face of British offenses. Jefferson recounted the events at Richmond including Virginia patriots attempting to secure arms and shot not unlike the situation in Concord and then described the British takeover while he was while he was Governor of Virginia. He then quite humbly made reference to the Declaration of Independence and then proceeded to answer questions.
The students discussed with Mr. Jefferson a variety of topics including his opinion of President John Adams, whether the president should have the power to purchase land from a foreign nation, John Dickinson and whether Mr. Jefferson considered him a traitor to the American cause, his continual disagreements with Alexander Hamilton over the future of the nation, how he reconciles owning slaves with what he had written in the Declaration of Independence and other issues related to slavery and many others.
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