PREFACE
The Jeffersonian Cyclopedia is designed to be a complete classified
arrangement of the Writings of Thomas Jefferson on Government, Politics,
Law, Education, Commerce, Agriculture, Manufactures, Navigation, Finance,
Morals, Religious Freedom and many other topics of permanent human
interest. It contains everything of importance that Jefferson wrote on these
subjects.
Why and wherefore the publication of this volume now? The answer is
this: More than three-quarters of a century ago, one of the earlier
biographers of Jefferson wrote: “It would be a happy circumstance for America
and for the mass of mankind if the works of Jefferson could obtain a circulation would place them in the hands of every individual. Unfortunately,
the form in which they have appeared is not the most advantageous to the
accomplishment of this desirable purpose. The publication is too voluminous,
and consequently too expensive, to admit of a general introduction among all
classes, nor is the mode of arrangement the best adapted to its reception into
ordinary use as a work of reference.”
From that distant day to the present time, no attempt has been made to
arrange and classify the theories and principles of Jefferson, so as to make
them available in ready reference form.
The Jeffersonian Cyclopedia aims to do this—to be a Manual of
Jeffersonian Doctrine, accurate, complete, impartial, giving Jefferson's views,
theories, and ideas in his own words. No edition of Jefferson's Writings,
printed at either public or private expense, contains so comprehensive a collection of Jefferson's opinions as this volume. This fact will be clearly seen by
all who consult it.
Not alone to the American people, but to all peoples, are Jefferson's opinions on Government of deep and abiding interest. Among the Statesmen of
all time, he is the foremost Expounder of the Rights of Man, of the unalienable right of every human being to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
That is the object of all just Government, to preserve which Jeffersonian
principles must be sacredly cherished.
J. P. F.
Brooklyn, July 31st, 1900.
