In this insightful essay, John Walter Wayland explores the political ideas and legacy of Thomas Jefferson, one of America's most influential Founding Fathers. Drawing on original sources and a deep understanding of the political and intellectual climate of the time, Wayland charts Jefferson's evolution from revolutionary firebrand to chief architect of American democracy. The Political Opinions of Thomas Jefferson is an essential read for anyone interested in the formation of American political thought.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.