Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Introduction
- Chronology
- Biographical synopses
- A note on sources
- Bibliographical note
- I A Private Man in Public Life
- II Natural Law, Natural Right, and Revolution
- III Self-government
- IV Moral Sense, Civic Education, and Freedom of the Press
- V The Constitutions of Virginia and France
- VI The U.S. Constitution
- VII Religious Liberty and Toleration
- VIII Political Parties
- IX Race and Slavery
- X Native Americans
- XI Women (not) in Politics
- XII Law of Nations
- XIII Innovation and Progress
- XIV Relations between Generations
- Appendices
- Index
- Cambridge Texts in the History of Political Thought
X - Native Americans
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 June 2012
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Introduction
- Chronology
- Biographical synopses
- A note on sources
- Bibliographical note
- I A Private Man in Public Life
- II Natural Law, Natural Right, and Revolution
- III Self-government
- IV Moral Sense, Civic Education, and Freedom of the Press
- V The Constitutions of Virginia and France
- VI The U.S. Constitution
- VII Religious Liberty and Toleration
- VIII Political Parties
- IX Race and Slavery
- X Native Americans
- XI Women (not) in Politics
- XII Law of Nations
- XIII Innovation and Progress
- XIV Relations between Generations
- Appendices
- Index
- Cambridge Texts in the History of Political Thought
Summary
Notes on Virginia: Query VI
… Of the Indian of South America I know nothing; for I would not honor with the appellation of knowledge, what I derive from the fables published of them. These I believe to be just as true as the fables of Æsop. This belief is founded on what I have seen of man, white, red, and black, and what has been written of him by authors, enlightened themselves, and writing among an enlightened people. The Indian of North America being more within our reach, I can speak of him somewhat from my own knowledge, but more from the information of others better acquainted with him, and on whose truth and judgment I can rely. From these sources I am able to say, in contradiction to this representation, that he is neither more defective in ardor, nor more impotent with his female, than the white reduced to the same diet and exercise; that he is brave, when an enterprise depends on bravery; education with him making the point of honor consist in the destruction of an enemy by strategem, and in the preservation of his own person free from injury; or, perhaps, this is nature, while it is education which teaches us to honor force more than that he will defend himself against a host of enemies, always choosing to be killed, rather than to surrender, though it be to the whites, who he knows will treat him well; […]
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- Information
- Jefferson: Political Writings , pp. 499 - 539Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 1999