Thomas Jefferson, our third president,was born in Albermarle County, Virginia on April 13, 1743. Jefferson received his education at the College of William and Mary and then went on to study law with George Wythe. Thomas Jefferson well known for his part in writing the Declaration of Independence and for being our third president. Thomas Jefferson has contributed greatly to the building of our government. He was a truly remarkable man who set forth the basic ideals and beliefs in government that have stayed the same for over two hundred years. In researching Jefferson was a man who poetically expressed the fundamental purpose behind government and our republic.

Thomas Jefferson believed that states could best govern the domestic matters within its state, but a strong Central Government is needed as well to deal with foreign affairs and to keep the country strong as a unified nation. "While smaller governments [states] are better adapted to the ordinary objects of society, larger confederations more effectively secure independence and the preservation of republican government."-Thomas Jefferson to the Rhode Island Assembly, 1801. What Thomas Jefferson was saying in this quote is that small governments like our state and our towns are the ones best fit to deal with the concerns of the people. In turn helping the people live the best and happiest lives possible. Which is the reason we have government. "The first object of human association is the improvement of their condition."-Thomas Jefferson: Declaration and Protest of Virginia, 1825. To keep people safe and things in order so people can live in domestic tranquility.

While supporting the idea that small government is best suited to deal with domestic concerns he believed that a large "confederation" is the best way to manage foreign concerns that effect all the smaller governments under the "confederation. Along with foreign national defense that is best controlled by a large central government. Certainly standing together unified a group is stronger than each individual standing alone. Thomas Jefferson believed in states rights but the "confederation" should have power to address foreign matters for the well being of the country.