Thomas Jefferson Visits Herndon High

(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. More pictures and quotes below.

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.

"...it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another..."

"I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man"

"I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just and His justice cannot sleep forever."

"Our civil rights have no dependence on our religious opinions, more than our opinions in physics or geometry."

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

"And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor."

"Preach... a crusade against ignorance; establish and improve the law for educating the common people."