Thomas Jefferson did not want to be Secretary of State. He enjoyed his time working as a diplomat in France and believed that he would serve his country best as an ambassador. He only took the position after George Washington insisted on it. Jefferson quickly grew to dislike his position, he did not like living in New York City and Philadelphia. Government ceremonies and regal forums reminded him of the monarchies in Europe.
He also began to quickly distrust the Secretary of Treasury, Alexander Hamilton. He thought that Hamilton's Financial Plan was unwise and that the National Bank was unconstitutional. When Hamilton announced that the Federal Government would be assuming the debts of all the states, Jefferson saw this as a means of weakening the authority of the states. Jefferson believed that Hamilton and his supporters were betraying the values and principles of the American Revolution.
Tiring of arguing with Hamilton and realizing that he was a minority in the Cabinet, Thomas Jefferson asked George Washington to allow him to retire. Washington begged Jefferson to stay on for another year, to which Jefferson complied. On December 31, 1793, Thomas Jefferson submitted his resignation to Washington and returned to his home in Virginia.
Homework Tonight
Use your notes and the textbook to complete the Identification on p. 315 and #4.
Thank you
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