- "I hold it, that a little rebellion, now and then, is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical."
- — Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson is the 3rd President and 2nd Vice President of the U.S. He serves as an antagonist for the majority of Act 2.
He is portrayed by Daveed Diggs in the original cast.
Act One
Thomas Jefferson is first mentioned in The Schuyler Sisters, where Angelica sings about reading Common Sense by Thomas Paine, declaring in the song "And when I meet Thomas Jefferson | I'ma compel him to include women in the sequel". This is the only time in Act One he is mentioned.
Act Two
After spending years serving as the ambassador of France, Thomas Jefferson finally comes home to the United States where he is filled in on everything he missed while he was gone ("What'd I Miss?"). In a second cabinet meeting, Jefferson and Hamilton debate on whether the United States should assist the French in their revolution. Jefferson believed they should keep to their word as they promised in the Battle of Yorktown, however, Hamilton thought they should go back on their oath and restrain from giving them military support, since King Louis XVI, with whom this treaty was signed had been publicly executed by the people, and it wasn't wise to take part in some foreign country's chaos; once again, Washington ultimately agrees with Hamilton ("Cabinet Battle #2"). This leads to Jefferson, along with Madison and Burr, to become indignant about the unwavering support Hamilton received from President George Washington and the three plotted to ruin Hamilton's political image ("Washington On Your Side").
Portrait of Thomas Jefferson in 1791.
The three men find the transactions between Hamilton and James Reynolds, and, not knowing Hamilton and being blackmailed by Reynolds and thinking Hamilton had stolen money from the government, Jefferson confronts Hamilton with the amounts. Hamilton reveals to his affair that led to the blackmail and that it was his own money but did not believe Jefferson and the other men would keep it to themselves ("We Know"). However, Jefferson is taken aback as Hamilton goes further as to publish the affair in a public document to evade dishonor but destroy his private reputation in the process ("The Reynolds Pamphlet").
The year is 1800, and Adams drops out of the presidential election. The votes are narrowed onto Jefferson and Aaron Burr; Jefferson is surprised as Hamilton publicly promotes him and gives Jefferson his vote, though the two have never agreed, and effectively ruins Burr's chance at the election in the process. Jefferson then wins the Election of 1800 ("The Election of 1800").
Jefferson's last appearance is in the final song, "Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story", when he admits that Alexander Hamilton's financial system is a work of genius" after he has tried undoing it on several occasions.
Trivia
- Thomas Jefferson was extremely fond of architectural activities. He was also an architect himself. His Monticello home, which took forty years to complete was designed by him. The iconic rotunda at the University of Virginia was designed by him along with the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond.
- Jefferson was passionate about good wine and food. French cuisine had a large influence on his appetite, whether it was his usual dinner or presidential parties thrown by him. Apart from his two vineyards in Monticello, he even popularized some of the most beloved American foods like French fries and mac and cheese.
- Aaron Burr, apparently was so fed up with Jefferson's food habits, especially his love for macaroni, that he banned the entry or consumption of eatables in the Senate.
- Jefferson apparently had a pet ram that allegedly killed a small child.
- He also had a mockingbird named Dick.
- A bust of Alexander Hamilton was situated in the foyer of his mansion at Monticello.
- Thomas Jefferson once ate tomatoes at a party, which caused a frenzy as it was believed at that time that tomatoes were poisonous.
Gallery
Thomas Jefferson's House in Monticello.
Interior of the mansion.