Is an agricultural republic safer for liberty than a commercial one?

OCR: 1 cited passage(s) are machine-read (OCR) text of old printings; quotations reproduce the stored OCR text, misreadings included.

1. WHAT HE SAID (the record)

Record ledger

• BELIEF (1792-03-12): Thomas Jefferson believed that overstraining commerce could be problematic and that there might be limits to the necessity of British capital for American commerce. He suggested remedies to prevent the diversion of American capital and to encourage British capitalists to bring their capital to America, implying a preference for self-sufficiency and caution toward commercial overreach. "Commerce may be overstrained... I am not prepared to deny so I will admt y're may be such an opn" [1]
• BELIEF (1795-02-06): Thomas Jefferson believed that small states can be republics and that liberty is better protected in such contexts, though he does not directly compare agricultural and commercial republics. He argues that liberty must be restricted in society to protect individuals from each other's 'evil passions,' and he suspects the idea that only small states are suitable for republics will be disproven by experience. "I suspect that the doctrine, that small States alone are fitted to be republics, will be exploded by experience, with some other brilliant fallacies accredited by Montesquieu & other political writers." [2]
• BELIEF (1801-05-26): Thomas Jefferson believed that an agricultural republic is safer for liberty than a commercial one, as he stated that smaller governments are better adapted to the ordinary objects of society, and that commerce, as the handmaid of agriculture, should be cherished. He implied that agriculture is more central to liberty and that commerce supports it. "It is a momentous truth, and happily of universal impression on the public mind, that our safety rests on the preservation of our Union... As the handmaid of agriculture therefore, commerce will be cherished by me both from principle and duty." [3]
• BELIEF (1801-12-19): Thomas Jefferson believed that an agricultural republic would be safer for liberty than a commercial one, as he argued that capital from the public debt could be used to 'rescue our commerce from the hands of foreigners, or in agriculture, canals, bridges, or other useful enterprises.' "That capital, then, will be set afloat, to be employed in rescuing our commerce from the hands of foreigners, or in agriculture, canals, bridges, or other useful enterprises." [4]
• BELIEF (1803-02-18): Thomas Jefferson believed that promoting agriculture among the Indians would lead to their preservation and better use of land, implying a preference for agricultural pursuits over commercial or unimproved land use. This suggests a belief in the value of agriculture for stability and self-sufficiency, which aligns with the idea that an agricultural republic may be safer for liberty. "I consider the business of hunting as already become insufficient to furnish clothing and subsistence to the Indians. The promotion of agriculture, therefore, and household manufacture, are essential in their preservation, and I am disposed to aid and encourage it liberally." [5]
• BELIEF (1810-03-05): Thomas Jefferson believed that commercial nations, particularly England, are less reliable in observing moral duties and more focused on money than morality. This belief is grounded in his critique of England's political code and commercial nature. "Money, and not morality, is the principle of commerce and commercial nations." [6]
• BELIEF (1814-03-17): Thomas Jefferson believed that an agricultural republic is safer for liberty than a commercial one, based on the independence and unsophisticated minds of agricultural citizens who can resist seductions like English prejudices and urban 'Humists.' (key quote above) [7]
• BELIEF (1816-06-20): Thomas Jefferson believed that an agricultural republic is safer for liberty than a commercial one, because he argued that the agricultural capacities of the country constitute its distinguishing feature and that adapting policy to this would make the people more numerous and happy, rather than mimicking commercial cities like London or Amsterdam, which involve dangers the society chooses to avoid. (key quote above) [8]
• BELIEF (1816-06-20): Thomas Jefferson believed that an agricultural republic is safer for liberty than a commercial one, because he argued that commercial pursuits lead to war and taxation that endanger liberty, while nations focused on peace and agriculture would be favored by others and avoid such dangers. (key quote above) [9]
• BELIEF (1823-11-04): Thomas Jefferson believed that the virtue of the government and the people depended on the availability of vacant lands, which allowed for self-sufficiency and prevented dependence that could lead to corruption. He argued that without such lands, people became dependent, which corrupted them and undermined political rights. [10]

What cuts against it

• BELIEF (1792-03-12): Thomas Jefferson acknowledged that commerce could be overstrained and that British capital might be necessary for American commerce, suggesting a more nuanced view than an outright preference for agriculture over commerce. "Commerce may be overstrained... I am not prepared to deny so I will admt y're may be such an opn" [1].

• BELIEF (1795-02-06): He expressed skepticism about the idea that only small states are suitable for republics, implying that commercial republics might also be viable. "I suspect that the doctrine, that small States alone are fitted to be republics, will be exploded by experience..." [2].

• BELIEF (1810-03-05): He criticized commercial nations like England for prioritizing money over morality, but this does not directly refute the idea that a commercial republic could be safer for liberty. "Money, and not morality, is the principle of commerce and commercial nations." [6].

• BELIEF (1823-11-04): He argued that the virtue of the government and people depended on the availability of vacant lands, not directly comparing agricultural and commercial republics. [10].

2. HOW IT APPLIES (reasoning; inference is marked)

1. Thomas Jefferson believed that an agricultural republic is safer for liberty because agricultural citizens are independent, unsophisticated, and resistant to urban seductions. "I find it in the wide-spread of our agricultural citizens..." [7].

2. He argued that the agricultural capacities of the country are its distinguishing feature and that adapting policy to this would make the people more numerous and happy. "The agricultural capacities of our country constitute its distinguishing feature..." [8].

3. He feared that commercial pursuits lead to war and taxation, endangering liberty, while agricultural republics avoid such dangers. "I would rather the States should withdraw, which are for unlimited commerce and war..." [9].

4. He believed that commerce should be the handmaid of agriculture, not the other way around, reinforcing the idea that agriculture is central to liberty. "As the handmaid of agriculture therefore, commerce will be cherished by me..." [3].

5. He argued that promoting agriculture among the Indians would lead to their preservation, implying a preference for agricultural pursuits over commercial or unimproved land use. "The promotion of agriculture, therefore, and household manufacture, are essential in their preservation..." [5].

3. HIS TAKE

Record coverage: DIRECT

Thomas Jefferson directly addressed the question of whether an agricultural republic is safer for liberty than a commercial one. He consistently argued that agricultural republics are safer because they foster independence, resist urban and commercial seductions, and avoid the dangers of war and taxation associated with commercial pursuits.

Extrapolation: Jefferson's position is that an agricultural republic is safer for liberty because it promotes self-sufficiency, independence, and resistance to the corrupting influences of commercial and urban life.

Competing readings: Some of his writings suggest a more nuanced view, acknowledging the necessity of commerce and the potential viability of commercial republics. However, these do not directly refute his stated preference for an agricultural republic as safer for liberty.

Confidence: High, as the record directly addresses the question and provides multiple consistent statements supporting the position.