Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry stood at the center of America’s founding. Jefferson and Henry shared much in their political philosophy, both wishing to see the people controlling their own government, both with serious questions about the new Constitution and deeply suspicious of a powerful government distant from the people. Join us on Tuesday, June 22, at 1:00 p.m. ET for a special livestream with Thomas Jefferson, interpreted by Bill Barker, and Patrick Henry, interpreted by Colonial Williamsburg’s Richard Schumann. These veteran historic interpreters will discuss their collaborations, conflicts, and respective visions for the nation’s future.

This virtual ICJS Fellow's Forum with Christopher Pear, Associate Professor of History at Lycoming College, will explore Thomas Jefferson’s tenure as Virginia’s governor and the transformation of his power (and the public perception of it), particularly by examining the governor’s position as chief magistrate. As chief magistrate, governors had to deal with a host of war issues, particularly funding the war while contending with counterfeiters and tax evaders, managing prisoners of war, containing political dissent or outright treason, and attempting to convince (sometimes coerce) citizens, denizens, and non-jurors to support and recognize state sovereignty. Add to this reality the need for actual law enforcement, the success or failure of which could buttress or undermine a fledgling state in the midst of war, and we can start to get a fuller picture of the sifting authority of governors and how they interacted with and shaped the lives of the general public.

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