Thomas Jefferson

8 Short Facts About George Washington #8

For a long time, Thomas Jefferson (and James Madison) were a part of Washington's inner circle, but during the Washington presidency, this began to change. During the War for Independence, Washington saw the effects of the lack of a strong government in the suffering of his soldiers. They had little equipment, little food and little pay. Washington believed that the creation of the federal government by the constitution was the appropriate and decent result of the "Spirit of '76". 

Jefferson disagreed. While Washington tended to ask what was best for all Americans, Jefferson saw the world through the eyes of a Virginia planter. He was angered by Alexander Hamilton's economic system which he believed favored the banking interests and the expense of the Virginia planters. He was angered by what he believed was the betrayal of the "Spirit of '76" by the Federalists. 

Jefferson had come to believe, wrongly, that Washington was a senile old man who was used as a pawn by Hamilton. Jefferson would begin a "whisper campaign" against President Washington. He would deny to Washington that he played any part in slanders leveled against him. Jefferson would resign his position in Washington's cabinet at one point and the relationship would deteriorate. Upon publication of a Jefferson letter critical of Washington, Washington would cease all contact with Jefferson. American politics have changed very little over the years.