Margaret Bayard Smith, Reflections Upon Meeting Thomas Jefferson (1801)
These two documents from Margaret Bayard Smith, a letter and an excerpt from her reminiscences, reveal her views on the early days of Thomas Jeffersons presidency. Smith grew up in a Federalist household, but at the time of her first meetings with President Jefferson, she had recently married the editor of the nations leading Republican newspaper. Smith and her husband remained in Washington, D.C., for many years, and she became well acquainted with many of the leading political figures of the early nineteenth century.
Margaret Bayard Smith to Miss Susan B. Smith (1801)
Let me write to you my dear Susan, e're that glow of enthusiasm has fled, which now animates my feelings; let me congratulate not only you, but all my fellow citizens, on an event which will have so auspicious an influence on their political welfare. I have this morning witnessed one of the most interesting scenes, a free people can ever witness. The changes of administration, which in every government and in every age have most generally been epochs of confusion, villainy and bloodshed, in this our happy country take place without any species of distraction, or disorder. This day, has one of the most amiable and worthy men taken that seat to which he was called by the voice of his country. I cannot describe the agitation I felt, while I looked around on the various multitude and while I listened to an address, containing principles the most correct, sentiments the most liberal, and wishes the most benevolent, conveyed in the most appropriate and elegant language and in a manner mild as it was firm. If doubts of the integrity and talents of Mr. Jefferson ever existed in the minds of any one, methinks this address must forever eradicate them. The Senate chamber was so crowded that I believe not another creature could enter. On one side of the house the Senate sat, the other was resigned by the representatives to the ladies. The roof is arched, the room half circle, every inch of ground was occupied. It has been conjectured by several gentlemen whom I've asked, that there was near a thousand persons within the walls. The speech was delivered in so low a tone that few heard it. Mr. Jefferson had given your Brother a copy early in the morning, so that on coming out of the house, the paper was distributed immediately. Since then there has been a constant succession of persons coming for the papers.
Margaret Bayard Smith, "Reminiscences" (1800)
"And is this," said I, after my first interview with Mr. Jefferson, "the violent democrat, the vulgar demagogue, the bold atheist and profligate man I have so often heard denounced by the federalists? Can this man so meek and mild, yet dignified in his manners, with a voice so soft and low, with a countenance so benignant and intelligent, can he be that daring leader of a fraction, that disturber of the peace, that enemy of all rank and order?" Mr. Smith, indeed, (himself a democrat) had given me a very different description of this celebrated individual; but his favourable opinion I attributed in a great measure to his political feelings, which led him zealously to support and exalt the party to which he belonged, especially its popular and almost idolized leader. Thus the virulence of party-spirit was somewhat neutralized, nay, I even entertained towards him the most kindly dispositions, knowing him to be not only politically but personally friendly to my husband; yet I did believe that he was an ambitious and violent demagogue, coarse and vulgar in his manners, awkward and rude in his appearance, for such had the public journals and private conversations of the federal party represented him to be.
In December, 1800, a few days after Congress had for the first time met in our new Metropolis, I was one morning sitting alone in the parlour, when the servant opened the door and showed in a gentleman who wished to see my husband. The usual frankness and care with which I met strangers, were somewhat checked by the dignified and reserved air of the present visitor; but the chilled feeling was only momentary, for after taking the chair I offered him in a free and easy manner, and carelessly throwing his arm on the table near which he sat, he turned towards me a countenance beaming with an expression of benevolence and with a manner and voice almost femininely soft and gentle, entered into conversation on the commonplace topics of the day, from which, before I was conscious of it, he had drawn me into observations of a more personal and interesting nature. I know not how it was, but there was something in his manner, his countenance and voice that at once unlocked my heart, and in answer to his casual enquiries concerning our situation in our new home, as he called it, I found myself frankly telling him what I liked or disliked in our present circumstances and abode. I knew now who he was, but the interest with which he listened to my artless details, induced the idea he was some intimate acquaintance or friend of Mr. Smith's and put me perfectly at my ease; in truth so kind and conciliating were his looks and manners that I forgot he was not a friend of my own, until on the opening of the door, Mr. Smith entered and introduced the stranger to me as Mr. Jefferson.
I felt my cheeks burn and my heart throb, and not a word more could I speak while he remained. Nay, such was my embarrassment I could scarcely listen to the conversation carried on between him and my husband. For several years he had been to me an object of peculiar interest. In fact my destiny, for on his success in the pending presidential election, or rather the success of the democratic party, (their interests were identical) my condition in life, my union with the man I loved, depended. In addition to this personal interest, I had long participated in my husband's political sentiments and anxieties, and looked upon Mr. Jefferson as the corner stone on which the edifice of republican liberty was to rest, looked upon him as the champion of human rights, the reformer of abuses, the head of the republican party, which must rise or fall with him, and on the triumph of the republican party I devoutly believed the security and welfare of my country depended. Notwithstanding those exalted views of Mr. Jefferson as a political character; and ardently eager as I was for his success, I retained my previously conceived ideas of the coarseness and vulgarity of his appearance and manners and was therefore equally awed and surprised, on discovering the stranger whose deportment was so dignified and gentlemanly, whose language was so refined, whose voice was so gentle, whose countenance was so benignant, to be no other than Thomas Jefferson. How instantaneously were all these preconceived prejudices dissipated, and in proportion to their strength, was the reaction that took place in my opinions and sentiments. I felt that I had been the victim of prejudice, that I had been unjust. The revolution of feeling was complete and from that moment my heart warmed to him with the most affectionate interest and I implicitly believed all that his friends and my husband believed and which the after experience of many years confirmed. Yes, not only was he great, but a truly good man!
Document Analysis
Smiths upbringing in a Federalist home seems to have given her some preconceived ideas about Jefferson and his character. What are these ideas, and how do they change after her first meetings with him?
What does Smith consider to be Jeffersons dominant personal characteristics?
What does this document reveal about the context of women's issues in the early republic? Analyze the document and explain in detail.
1. Since Smith was brought up in a federalist home, her view on Jefferson (an antifederalist) before meeting him were negative. She desribed him as "the violent democrat, the vulgar demagogue, the bold atheist and profligate man I have so often heard denounced by the federalists." Once she met him though, her views changed dramatically. She stated that "he turned towards me a countenance beaming with an expression of benevolence and with a manner and voice almost femininely soft and gentle." I personally think she developed a little crush on him for she goes on to say that her cheeks burned and her heart thumped harder then normal as he spoke to her and she couldn't think about anyone else but him.
2. Smith feels Jefferson's strong personality traits are that he is an eloquent speaker, very talented, and a man filled with integrity.
3. In the day and age, women could not stand up for their own rights which there were very few of. Men represented women in courts and at meetings. Women were not thought to be as important to men. They were thought to be "infereior" to men for many reasons including myths that the woman's brain was smaller that the male's and the theroy that women couldn't physically do as much as men.
Smiths upbringing in a Federalist home seems to have given her some preconceived ideas about Jefferson and his character. What are these ideas, and how do they change after her first meetings with him?
Her initial ideas about Jefferson are that he is a rude and violent political leader, that he has little by the way of manners, and that physically he was not appealing. These views changed nearly immediately after she sat down and talked to him about "the commonplace topics of the day".When she was done talking with him and was told who he was really she was completely in awe and embarrassed.Mrs. Smith described him now as being a gentleman who was dignified and benevolent with gentle and refined speech.She now saw that the fate of republican liberty and the citizen's rights rested with him.
What does Smith consider to be Jeffersons dominant personal characteristics?
His dominant personal characteristics, according to Mrs. Smith, are his gentlemanly manner, and benign countenance, and his articulate and soft speech.
What does this document reveal about the context of women's issues in the early republic? Analyze the document and explain in detail.
It reveals that although women's issues weren't prominent among the political issues of the day and women didnt partake in the actual public affairs.It does however show that women were taking interest in the issues and had an opinion of their own and that they were allowed to observe public affairs as shown by Mrs. Smith and her opinions and her presence for Jefferson's speech.It also shows that some men, Jefferson in this case, were interested in the opinions of women but the majority still believed that it was not their place or right to voice it in such a manner as would a politician or a public official or for that matter hold one of these jobs.
1. Smith who had never met Jefferson before believed that he was a "violent democrat, a vulgar demagogue, a bold atheist and profligate man" because she was raised as a federalist and heard only what federalist's told her. When he came in and she talked to him she did not believe he was anything more than a common man with his gental voice, and beaming expression. When she had found out who he was she turned turned red. This was not the man she had heard about. He was gental benvolent and seemed as though he was a friend of hers. She trusted him with the liberty and and rights of the citizens.
2. Smith believes that Jefferson was a true man of the people with his soft gental voice and beaming personality which was an important characteristic if the citizens rights were in his hands.
3. Although back then women could not partake in public events such as voting this document shows that women did take interest in political affairs. Also what i believe caught the attention of Mrs Smith was the fact that he was interested in what a woman had to say about political affairs which was not common back then. This probably is why she had liked him so much.
Smiths upbringing in a Federalist home seems to have given her some preconceived ideas about Jefferson and his character. What are these ideas, and how do they change after her first meetings with him?
Smith was brought up in a Federalist home which made her assume that Thomas Jefferson was a violent democrat, a vulgar demagogue, and a bold atheist. After the first meeting Smith had with Jefferson her assumptions changed. She found out that Thomas was meak and mild, yet dignified in his manners, with a voice soft and low, with a countenance so benignant. Basically Smith thought Jefferson was an evil man and then she actually talked to him and she discovered that he really wasnt as evil as she originally thought.
What does Smith consider to be Jeffersons dominant personal characteristics?
Smith said that Jeffersons dominant personal characteristics are that one he spoke eloquently, two he has integrity, and three he his a gentlemen because he is polite.
What does this document reveal about the context of women's issues in the early republic? Analyze the document and explain in detail.
This document reveals that the woman did indeed have interest in political studies, but they werent allowed to have any say in the conflicts at this time. Men had the power and thought that women were incapable of doing anything other than cooking, cleaning, and taking care of the children. The mentality of men at this time was so wrong, but would eventually change over time.
1. Smiths meeting with Jefferson quashed any of her preconceived notions concerning the man and his celebrity. Her initial impressions, overly biased against the republican leader, revolved around the concept of Jefferson being a disturber and an enemy of all rank and order. Quaint conversation with the soon to be commander and chief gave Smith a new outlook not only on the bold atheist, but on the fairness of making premature judgments. So great was the revolution that Smiths heart warmed to him with the most affectionate interest from that point on. What a charming story it truly was, and one with a noteworthy moral at its true root. 2. Vulgarity, wickedness, dissention, and ambition were all characteristics Smith believed composed the personality of Thomas Jefferson. These are, of course, her impressions prior to her conversion. Thereafter, nothing but sweetest of things could have dwelled within the spirit of the republican, traits ranging from soft tone and a gentle voice to a refined speech and gentlemanly manner. 3. In my opinion, the document reaffirms the stranglehold patriarchal society had on women and their issues in the early nineteenth century. Even though Smith seemed more than capable of discussing the politics of the day, or of simply flat-out stating her own political positions, it seems women were either discouraged or prevented from thinking for themselves. Im almost certain the vulgar, violent, blasphemous image of Jefferson she had, was shaped by a male, federalist opinion of the subject. Who was a woman to say how the country should be run? seemed to be the ideology. Although not everyone shared this sentiment, the enormous majority did.
1. Her first impression of Thomas Jefferson was that he was "the violent democrat, the vulgar demagogue, the bold atheist and profligate man." After their first meeting she realized that he wasnt evil at all. She found out that he was a "meak and mild man" with a soft voice.
2. After their meeting she thought his characterists were that he had a free and easy manner, he was a gentlemen, and he had a soft gentle voice.
3. It showed that womens issues and problems were not important to the people back then. Their views on politics weren't valued. She was givin the impression of Thomas Jefferson by a man federalist and because of his position she believe him because back then women were only soposed to cook, clean, and take care of the children. Thinking wasnt something they were encouraged to do.
1. Before meeting Jefferson, she thought he was "the violent democrat, the vulagr demagogue, the bold atheist and profligate man I have so often heard denounced by the federalists." After meeting him, however her thoughts changed. She later thought he was dignified in his manners, had a voice that was soft and low, and that he was an intelligent man and also a daring leader.
2. Smith considers Jefferson's dominant personal characteristics to be a voice that "unlocked her heart," a manner that was almost "feminitely soft and gentle," and something in his manner that found her comfortable in her surroundings.
3. This document reveals that women's issues were not closely listened to by men in the community, but they often accompanied their husbands to meetings of the republic, "On one side of the house the Senate sat, the other was resigned by the representatives to the ladies..." This passage does show that women had an interest in events and if asked would have been able to express their opinion.
1. Margaret Smith viewed Thomas Jefferson aas a violent democrat, a vulgar demagogue, a bold atheist, and a profligat man that was denounced by federalists. Once meeting him and talking to him she realized that he was an intelligent man and great leader. She was also convinced that any doubts in anyone's mind about Jefferson's integrity were wiped after his adress. 2. Smith thought that Jefferson was a gentleman with a softspoken, gentle voice that allowed the most eloquent speeches. She also thought there was something in his manner that made her feel comfortable. 3. From this document you can see that Mrs. Smith has interest in politics and knows exactly what she's talking about. Most women of this time period were interested as well but unfortunately they weren't able to speak their minds without serious consequences.
Smith upbringing in a Federalist home gave her a negative impression of Jefferson. Prior to meeting Jefferson, she believed that he was the violent democrat, the vulgar demagogue, the bold atheist and profligate man. She admits in her Reminiscences that she hear him denounced often by the Federalists.After meeting Mr. Jefferson, she describes him in her Reminiscences as a man so meek and mild, yet dignified in his manners, with a voice soft and low, with a countenance so benignant and intelligent.She is very impressed with him after meeting him and writes that not only was he great, but a truly good man.She admitted in her writings that after meeting him her prejudices against him disappeared and that they had been unjust.
Jeffersons dominant personal characteristics according to Mrs. Smith were his conciliating looks and manners.She believed that he had a very dignified manner, that he was a true gentleman with a gentle almost womanly voice and that his speech was articulate and soft. She also believes that he is a man of integrity.
This document tells us that women did not have the same rights that were given to men of that time but that women still held an interest in the political issues of the time and an interest in the men who were responsible for running the affairs of the country.Mrs. Smith was very interested in politics and was quite excited that she was able to observe the inauguration of Mr. Jefferson.She writes this in her letter to Miss Susan Smith.She also was very impressed with the speech that he gave on that day.The first document shows that the men showed manners and respect for women because the representatives gave up their seats to the ladies at the ceremony.The second document also shows us that women of that time were interested in political affairs and that they cared about who would lead the country even though they were not allowed to vote.Mrs. Smith lets us know how important the President of the United States is to her when she states that the security and welfare of my country depends on the triumph of the republican party.The second document also shows us that most men did not value the opinion of women on political issues and that Mrs. Smith was impressed with Jeffersons interest in what she had to say.
Smiths upbringing in a Federalist home seems to have given her some preconceivedideas about Jefferson and his character. What are these ideas, and how do they change after her first meetings with him?
Smith first believes Jefferson to be the violent democrat, the bold atheist and profligate man I (smith) have so often heard denounced by the federalists and that he was an ambitious and violent demagogue, coarse and vulgar in his manners, awkward and rude in his appearance. These views of Jefferson held by Mrs. Smith, largely enforced by federalist propaganda, quickly changed with her initial meeting with the President. She says only after a short while with the President he was the edifice of republican liberty, (and) looked upon him as the champion of human rights, the reformer of abuses, the head of the republican party, which must rise or fall with him and that she devoutly believed the security and welfare of my country depended (upon him); a big difference from her pre-programmed federalist views.
What does Smith consider to be Jeffersons dominant personal characteristics?
Before her meeting with the President Jefferson she thought that he was predominantly a vulgar and violent demagogue. After the meeting her main thoughts fell on his dignity, genteelness, an intelligence which based on her writings he had honed with incredible skill.
What does this document reveal about the context of women's issues in the early republic? Analyze the document and explain in detail.
This document shows that women although put down by men, did take an active role in politics and formed very strong opinions on certain issues which struck a nerve with them. Sometimes these opinions like in the case of Mrs. Smith would even go against the views of the dominating males not only in society but in the confines of their daily lives (ie their husbands, fathers, ect.).
This woman was brought up to believe that anti-federalists are violent, vulgar, and atheist.But after she met Jefferson she saw him as a meek and mild mannered man with a soft voice.She could no longer believe he was a man who could cause great chaos and uproar.
That Jefferson has a soft voice, a mild countenance, and he is intelligent with good manners.
Women were not really active in the politics of the day; but they did care about who was in office and how they would run it.They cared about their home, as was described by her talking to Jefferson about her likes and dislikes in her home.They also cared deeply about appearances.She was deeply embarrassed after she realized she had talked openly with Jefferson, she felt she shouldnt have been that open with a man such as he.
1. Before meeting Jefferson, she thought he was "the violent democrat, the vulagr demagogue, the bold atheist and profligate man I have so often heard denounced by the federalists." After meeting him, however her thoughts changed. She later thought he was dignified in his manners, had a voice that was soft and low, and that he was an intelligent man and also a daring leader.
2. Smith considers Jefferson's dominant personal characteristics to be a voice that "unlocked her heart," a manner that was almost "feminitely soft and gentle," and something in his manner that found her comfortable in her surroundings.
3. This document reveals that women's issues were not closely listened to by men in the community, but they often accompanied their husbands to meetings of the republic, "On one side of the house the Senate sat, the other was resigned by the representatives to the ladies..." This passage does show that women had an interest in events and if asked would have been able to express their opinion.
Breanne, I just have to point out that quoting the documents to support your positions is an excellent strategy and one that is sure to benefit you in the AP exam.
At first she found physically unapealing and believed he lacked manners and was a violent political leader. Her mind was changed after talking to him. She then saw him as a gentlemen contrary in many ways to her first beliefs. Mrs. Smith saw him as a gentleman with good manners and soft in speech.
The women weren't really involved in the political issues of the day. They did attend public affairs with their husbands though.
Smiths upbringing in a Federalist home seems to have given her some preconceived ideas about Jefferson and his character. What are these ideas, and how do they change after her first meetings with him?
-Margaret Smith was raised in a federalist household and therefore she had a negative outlook on Thomas Jefferson. She thought of him as a violent demagogue, coarse and vulgar in his manners, awkward and rude in his appearance initially but after meeting him her opinions changed dramatically. Her attitude toward him now was that she considered him to be a refined and dignified gentleman.
What does Smith consider to be Jeffersons dominant personal characteristics?
-She considers his more dominant characteristics to be his soft and eloquent speaking ability, and his manner as a gentleman.
What does this document reveal about the context of women's issues in the early republic? Analyze the document and explain in detail.
- The document reveals that many women were interested in federal issues and politics even if they werent allowed to play a direct role. It also showed that womens issues werent as important to people back then.
