les here set forth that were
afterwards adopted as the Declaration of Independence. This, paper was
printed, not only in America, but in England, where its author was
placed on the roll of treason and brought before parliament. This
document also placed Jefferson in America among the foremost writers of
that age; it also showed him to be a bold and uncompromising opponent of
oppression, and an eloquent advocate of constitutional freedom.

He was sent to the Continental Congress. On the floor he was silent but
he had the 'reputation of a masterly pen,' says John Adams, and in
committee was a most influential member. He drafted the Declaration of
Independence, and on June 28th it was laid before Congress and finally
adopted, with but a few verbal changes. This document probably has the
greatest celebrity of any paper of like nature in existence.

He now resigned his seat in Congress to push needed reform in his State
preparatory to the new order of affairs. The first thing needed was a
State constitution. Jefferson aided much in the framing of this. He was
placed on the committee to reorganize the State laws, and to Jefferson
is due the abolition of Primogenitureship--the exclusive right of the
first-born to all property of the family. The measure establishing
religious freedom, whereby people were not to be taxed for the support
of a religion not theirs, was also the work of his hand. These measures
were very democratic indeed and owing to the aristocratic views of the
people at that time, excited great opposition, but they were finally
passed and since have been law.

Thus it will be seen that Jefferson was the author of many of our
dearest ideas of equality. In 1778 he procured the passage of a bill
forbidding future importation of slaves and the next year he was elected
governor of Virginia, to succeed Patrick Henry. He assumed the duties of
this office in a most gloomy time. The enemy were preparing to carry the
war into the South, and Jefferson knew they would find Virginia almost
defenseless. Her resources were drained to the dregs to sustain
hostilities in South Carolina and Georgia, and her sea coast was almost
wholly unprotected. The State was invaded by the enemy several times and
once the Governor was almost captured by Tarleton.

Jefferson declined a re-election as he perceived that a military leader
was needed, and he was succeeded by General Nelson. Jefferson was
appointed one of the Ministers of the Col