Quiz on Thomas Jefferson's Letter to John Taylor (1798)

What was the main issue Thomas Jefferson addressed regarding Mr. Martin's patent?

• How to sell the patent to another inventor

• How to suppress the first patent and create a second without a fee

• How to create a new invention

• How to improve the existing patent

What did Jefferson recommend John Taylor do with the mould board description?

• Destroy it

• Send it back to Jefferson

• Make a model of it

• Ignore it

Which states did Jefferson mention as being 'under the saddle' of Massachusetts and Connecticut?

• Virginia and North Carolina

• New York and New Jersey

• Pennsylvania and Delaware

• Georgia and South Carolina

According to Jefferson, what was the 'irresistible influence' that turned the government over to anti-republican hands?

• The military power of the Union

• The wealth of the northern states

• The influence of foreign nations

• The popularity of Gen. Washington

What does Jefferson suggest is necessary in every free and deliberating society?

• Opposite parties and dissensions

• No political parties

• Complete unity and agreement

• A single ruling party

What does Jefferson believe would happen if the Union were reduced to just Virginia and North Carolina?

• They would join with European nations

• They would become a powerful nation

• A conflict would arise between the two states

• They would be at peace

What does Jefferson refer to as the 'reign of witches'?

• A new religious movement

• A foreign invasion

• A literal belief in witches

• The current political situation

What does Jefferson suggest is the best course of action regarding Europe?

• To form alliances with European nations

• To increase trade with Europe

• To declare war on Europe

• To haul off from Europe and its attachments

What does Jefferson caution John Taylor about at the end of the letter?

• To destroy the letter after reading

• Not to let his writings get before the public

• To publish his letter in the newspaper

• To share his letter with other politicians

What does Jefferson hope for the future of the government?

• That it will return to its true principles

• That it will expand to include more states

• That it will dissolve

• That it will become a monarchy