The Tree of Liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrant. It is its natural manure. - Thomas Jefferson

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Engraved portrait of Thomas Jefferson, facing right

The Tree of Liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrant. It is its natural manure.

English
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About Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson (13 April 1743 – 4 July 1826) was author of the Declaration of Independence (1776) and the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom (1777), founder of the University of Virginia (1819), the third president of the United States (1801–1809), a political philosopher, editor of Jefferson's Bible (1819), and one of the most influential founders of the United States.

Biography information from Wikiquote · Portrait adapted from Wikimedia Commons, Rembrandt Peale (Public domain / CC0)

Also Known As

Alternative Names: President Jefferson T. Jefferson

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But inequality of representation in both Houses of our legislature, is not the only republican heresy in this first essay of our revolutionary patriots at forming a constitution. For let it be agreed that a government is republican in proportion as every member composing it has his equal voice in the direction of its concerns (not indeed in person, which would be impracticable beyond the limits of a city, or small township, but) by representatives chosen by himself, and responsible to him at short periods, and let us bring to the test of this canon every branch of our constitution.

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