American History: A Survey (Brinkley), 13th Edition

Chapter 7: THE JEFFERSONIAN ERA

Primary Sources

1
Manasseh Cutler was as diverse as the new United States. A teacher, doctor, lawyer, scientist, and land agent, he eventually turned to politics and in 1800 was elected to Congress as a Federalist from Massachusetts. Below is a selection taken from a letter to his daughter that describes his circumstances in Washington, the new national capital. With Cutler's letter is an excerpt from the writings of F. A. Michaux, a French botanist who traveled through the western areas of the nation. His description of the people of Kentucky stands in stark contrast to Cutler's description of Washington society and offers excellent proof of the variety that was America.

In both documents, religion played an important part. What do the religious differences reveal about the two ways of life? What can you gather about the relationship between religion and social class in America? What seems to be the main reason for the differences in attitude toward religion in the two areas? What attitudes toward religion do the two societies have in common? What does this reveal about religious toleration in the United States?

Notice the forms of entertainment enjoyed by the two groups. What do they tell you about the nature of the two societies and the people who made them up? Do these entertainments reveal any class divisions, or can they be explained by something else?

How do you think the two societies would respond to the question "To what degree should the people be allowed to govern themselves?" Why do you believe this? What evidence supports your conclusion? From these two documents, what can be told about the impact of the frontier on American life, culture, and values?

Read the description of Washington, D.C., found in the text. How does Cutler's letter compare with the account found there? What might account for the difference—note the date the letter was written, the month, and the year. Also note Cutler's political party.

Manasseh Cutler and F. A. Michaux

2
Few inaugural addresses have had the lasting impact of Thomas Jefferson's first inaugural address, which he delivered in early 1801. Some historians have suggested that it was addressed not to his supporters, but to his political enemies. What evidence is there in the excerpt below to suggest that this is true? What evidence is there that this was in keeping with the principles that Jefferson had endorsed as long as he had been in public office? How do the principles espoused here relate to those in the Declaration of Independence? How do they relate to those in the Virginia Statue of Religious Liberty?

Thomas Jefferson First Inaugural Address

3
Thomas Jefferson wrote this secret message to Congress about the Lewis & Clark expedition in 1803. What does it tell us about Jefferson's views of westward expansion and Native Americans? What solutions does Jefferson propose to the friction between the fledgling republic and the Indian tribes of the West? What arguments does he use to explain the Lewis & Clark expedition?

http://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=true&doc=17&page=transcript

4
Here is the 1803 Louisiana Purchase treaty between France and the United States. What does each side get out of the deal, what do they give up in return? Are there any references made to the international diplomatic and political events motivating the treaty?

http://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=true&doc=18&page=transcript

5
Chief Justice John Marshall's opinion in Marbury v. Madison is considered to be one of the most important Supreme Court decisions in American history, not the least because it set up the principle of judicial review and established the court as a major player in the American system. How does Marshall build his case for judicial review in this decision? What methods does he use to defuse the heated political tension between Federalists and Republicans, and how does he ensure that the decision is not undermined by the impression of political partisanship?

http://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?doc=19&page=transcript

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