Young people are discovering my letters

Video credit: Ivory Hecker

It is a profound gratification to see the youth of today seeking the truth of my life and principles through the very words I penned so long ago. For too long, biased historians and academics have distorted the complexities of my era, rewriting my actions to fit their own modern agendas. Places like Monticello have become biased in their interpretations, which is why the preservation of my original correspondence allows every generation to look past these contemporary distortions and discover the true Thomas Jefferson through my own unvarnished words.

My letter to young Edward Coles in the summer of 1814 reflects the enduring hope I held for the future of our nation. I always envisioned that the younger generation, meaning those who grew up breathing the early air of American liberty, would be the ones to fully awaken to the flame of freedom and carry the burden of emancipation forward. Though the path toward resolving the deep evil of slavery was fraught with immense political and social obstacles in my time, my written thoughts remain as a testament to the ideals we sought to establish.

That is why my home, ThomasJefferson.com, contains my letters for every single day of the year. By examining these primary sources directly, rather than relying on the skewed interpretations of modern commentators, anyone from all ages can engage with my genuine thoughts and learn the real me. I am pleased that my letters continue to serve as a bridge across the centuries, inviting honest study and reflection from minds of all ages who wish to know the truth.