Gifts from Foreign Dignitaries - Revision history

ABerkes at 15:51, 5 March 2009

ABerkes — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 15:51:41 GMT

←Older revision		Revision as of 15:51, 5 March 2009
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	In one famous incident in 1805, the Tunisian ambassador gave Jefferson several Arabian horses. Jefferson later sold the horses at a public auction to offset the cost of the ambassador's visit.		In one famous incident in 1805, the Tunisian ambassador gave Jefferson several Arabian horses. Jefferson later sold the horses at a public auction to offset the cost of the ambassador's visit.

-	However, Jefferson is known to have made an exception to his policy in at least one instance. In 1806, the Russian government gave the American consul, Levett Harris, a [[Alexander I Bust\|bust of Tsar Alexander I]]. Mr. Harris in turn gave this bust to Jefferson. In explaining his departure from his own rule, Jefferson cited his "particular esteem" for the Tsar. The bust can be seen at Monticello today.	+	However, Jefferson is known to have made an exception to his policy in at least one instance. In 1804, the Russian government presented the American consul, Levett Harris, with a [[Alexander I Bust\|bust of Tsar Alexander I]]. Mr. Harris in turn gave this bust to Jefferson. In explaining his departure from his own rule regarding gifts, Jefferson cited his "particular esteem" for the Tsar. The bust can be seen at Monticello today.

	==Footnotes==		==Footnotes==

ABerkes: re-wrote - mistakes - flow - reason for keeping gift given by Cinder on Bust page

ABerkes — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 15:50:16 GMT

re-wrote - mistakes - flow - reason for keeping gift given by Cinder on Bust page

←Older revision		Revision as of 15:50, 5 March 2009
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-	As President, [[Thomas Jefferson]] did not participate in the later tradition of keeping '''gifts from foreign dignitaries.''' He had a strict policy of not excepting valuable gifts.	+	As President of the United States, [[Thomas Jefferson]] maintained a strict policy of not excepting valuable '''gifts from foreign dignitaries.'''

-	He writes, "I had laid it down as a law for my conduct while in office, and hitherto scrupulously observed to accept of no present beyond a book, a pamphlet or other curiosity of minor value; as well to avoid imputation on my motives of action as to shut out a practice susceptible to such abuse."<ref>Jefferson to Levett Harris. April 18, 1806. [[Short Title List\|L&B,]] 11:101.</ref>	+	He wrote in 1806, "I had laid it down as a law for my conduct while in office, and hitherto scrupulously observed to accept of no present beyond a book, a pamphlet or other curiosity of minor value; as well to avoid imputation on my motives of action as to shut out a practice susceptible to such abuse."<ref>Jefferson to Levett Harris. April 18, 1806. [[Short Title List\|L&B,]] 11:101.</ref>

-	For example, in 1805, the Tunisian ambassador gave Jefferson some Arabian horses. Jefferson sold them at a public auction to offset the cost of the ambassador's visit.	+	In one famous incident in 1805, the Tunisian ambassador gave Jefferson several Arabian horses. Jefferson later sold the horses at a public auction to offset the cost of the ambassador's visit.

-	However, he was human and he did make an exception in one instance. In Russia, tradition held the importance of giving gifts, and the Russian government gave the American consul, Mr. Harris, a [[Alexander I Bust\|bust of Alexander I]]. Mr. Harris in turn gave this bust to Jefferson in 1806. One possible explanation for Jefferson's accepting the gift is that he thought it was from Mr. Harris himself rather than the Russian government. Also, he was an admirer of Alexander and may not have wished to turn it down. The bust remains at Monticello today.	+	However, Jefferson is known to have made an exception to his policy in at least one instance. In 1806, the Russian government gave the American consul, Levett Harris, a [[Alexander I Bust\|bust of Tsar Alexander I]]. Mr. Harris in turn gave this bust to Jefferson. In explaining his departure from his own rule, Jefferson cited his "particular esteem" for the Tsar. The bust can be seen at Monticello today.

	==Footnotes==		==Footnotes==

Eric: Grammatical changes.

Eric — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 01:58:40 GMT

Grammatical changes.

←Older revision		Revision as of 01:58, 21 July 2007
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-	As President, Jefferson did not start the tradition of keeping '''gifts from foreign dignitaries.''' He had a strict policy of not excepting valuable gifts.	+	As President, [[Thomas Jefferson]] did not participate in the later tradition of keeping '''gifts from foreign dignitaries.''' He had a strict policy of not excepting valuable gifts.

	He writes, "I had laid it down as a law for my conduct while in office, and hitherto scrupulously observed to accept of no present beyond a book, a pamphlet or other curiosity of minor value; as well to avoid imputation on my motives of action as to shut out a practice susceptible to such abuse."<ref>Jefferson to Levett Harris. April 18, 1806. [[Short Title List\|L&B,]] 11:101.</ref>		He writes, "I had laid it down as a law for my conduct while in office, and hitherto scrupulously observed to accept of no present beyond a book, a pamphlet or other curiosity of minor value; as well to avoid imputation on my motives of action as to shut out a practice susceptible to such abuse."<ref>Jefferson to Levett Harris. April 18, 1806. [[Short Title List\|L&B,]] 11:101.</ref>
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	For example, in 1805, the Tunisian ambassador gave Jefferson some Arabian horses. Jefferson sold them at a public auction to offset the cost of the ambassador's visit.		For example, in 1805, the Tunisian ambassador gave Jefferson some Arabian horses. Jefferson sold them at a public auction to offset the cost of the ambassador's visit.

-	However, he was human and he made an exception. In Russia, tradition holds to give gifts and the Russian government gave the American consul, Mr. Harris, a [[Alexander I Bust\|bust of Alexander I]]. Mr. Harris gave this bust to Jefferson in 1806. Why did he accept this? One possible reason is that he thought it was a gift from Mr. Harris, not by the Russian government. Also, he admired Alexander enough not to turn it down. It still is at Monticello today.	+	However, he was human and he did make an exception in one instance. In Russia, tradition held the importance of giving gifts, and the Russian government gave the American consul, Mr. Harris, a [[Alexander I Bust\|bust of Alexander I]]. Mr. Harris in turn gave this bust to Jefferson in 1806. One possible explanation for Jefferson's accepting the gift is that he thought it was from Mr. Harris himself rather than the Russian government. Also, he was an admirer of Alexander and may not have wished to turn it down. The bust remains at Monticello today.

	==Footnotes==		==Footnotes==

Chad at 19:14, 3 July 2007

Chad — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 19:14:11 GMT

←Older revision		Revision as of 19:14, 3 July 2007
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	He writes, "I had laid it down as a law for my conduct while in office, and hitherto scrupulously observed to accept of no present beyond a book, a pamphlet or other curiosity of minor value; as well to avoid imputation on my motives of action as to shut out a practice susceptible to such abuse."<ref>Jefferson to Levett Harris. April 18, 1806. [[Short Title List\|L&B,]] 11:101.</ref>		He writes, "I had laid it down as a law for my conduct while in office, and hitherto scrupulously observed to accept of no present beyond a book, a pamphlet or other curiosity of minor value; as well to avoid imputation on my motives of action as to shut out a practice susceptible to such abuse."<ref>Jefferson to Levett Harris. April 18, 1806. [[Short Title List\|L&B,]] 11:101.</ref>

-	For example, in 1805, the Tunisian ambassador gave Jefferson some Arabian horsed. Jefferson sold them at a public auction to offset the cost of the ambassador's visit.	+	For example, in 1805, the Tunisian ambassador gave Jefferson some Arabian horses. Jefferson sold them at a public auction to offset the cost of the ambassador's visit.

-	However, he was human and he made an exception. In Russia, tradition holds to give gifts and the Russian government gave the American consul, Mr. Harris, a [[Alexander I Bust\|bust of Alexander I]]. Mr. Harris gave this bust to Jefferson in 1806. Why did he accept this? One possible reason is that he thought it was a gift from Mr. Harris, not by the Russian government. Also, he admired Alexander not to turn it down. It still is at Monticello today.	+	However, he was human and he made an exception. In Russia, tradition holds to give gifts and the Russian government gave the American consul, Mr. Harris, a [[Alexander I Bust\|bust of Alexander I]]. Mr. Harris gave this bust to Jefferson in 1806. Why did he accept this? One possible reason is that he thought it was a gift from Mr. Harris, not by the Russian government. Also, he admired Alexander enough not to turn it down. It still is at Monticello today.

	==Footnotes==		==Footnotes==

Bcraig at 15:28, 11 June 2007

Bcraig — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 15:28:35 GMT

←Older revision		Revision as of 15:28, 11 June 2007
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	For example, in 1805, the Tunisian ambassador gave Jefferson some Arabian horsed. Jefferson sold them at a public auction to offset the cost of the ambassador's visit.		For example, in 1805, the Tunisian ambassador gave Jefferson some Arabian horsed. Jefferson sold them at a public auction to offset the cost of the ambassador's visit.

-	However, he was human and he made an exception. In Russia, tradition holds to give gifts and the Russian government gave the American consul, Mr. Harris, a [http://explorer.monticello.org/text/index.php?id=32&type=4 bust of Alexander I]. Mr. Harris gave this bust to Jefferson in 1806. Why did he accept this? One possible reason is that he thought it was a gift from Mr. Harris, not by the Russian government. Also, he admired Alexander not to turn it down. It still is at Monticello today.	+	However, he was human and he made an exception. In Russia, tradition holds to give gifts and the Russian government gave the American consul, Mr. Harris, a [[Alexander I Bust\|bust of Alexander I]]. Mr. Harris gave this bust to Jefferson in 1806. Why did he accept this? One possible reason is that he thought it was a gift from Mr. Harris, not by the Russian government. Also, he admired Alexander not to turn it down. It still is at Monticello today.

	==Footnotes==		==Footnotes==

Bcraig at 18:04, 3 April 2007

Bcraig — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 18:04:11 GMT

←Older revision		Revision as of 18:04, 3 April 2007
Line 5:		Line 5:
	For example, in 1805, the Tunisian ambassador gave Jefferson some Arabian horsed. Jefferson sold them at a public auction to offset the cost of the ambassador's visit.		For example, in 1805, the Tunisian ambassador gave Jefferson some Arabian horsed. Jefferson sold them at a public auction to offset the cost of the ambassador's visit.

-	However, he was human and he made an exception. In Russia, tradition holds to give gifts and the Russian government gave the American consul, Mr. Harris, a bust of Alexander I. Mr. Harris gave this bust to Jefferson in 1806. Why did he accept this? One possible reason is that he thought it was a gift from Mr. Harris, not by the Russian government. Also, he admired Alexander not to turn it down. It still is at [http://explorer.monticello.org/text/index.php?id=32&type=4 Monticello] today.	+	However, he was human and he made an exception. In Russia, tradition holds to give gifts and the Russian government gave the American consul, Mr. Harris, a [http://explorer.monticello.org/text/index.php?id=32&type=4 bust of Alexander I]. Mr. Harris gave this bust to Jefferson in 1806. Why did he accept this? One possible reason is that he thought it was a gift from Mr. Harris, not by the Russian government. Also, he admired Alexander not to turn it down. It still is at Monticello today.

	==Footnotes==		==Footnotes==

Bcraig: New page: As President, Jefferson did not start the tradition of keeping '''gifts from foreign dignitaries.''' He had a strict policy of not excepting valuable gifts. He writes, "I had laid it dow...

Bcraig — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 18:02:46 GMT

New page: As President, Jefferson did not start the tradition of keeping '''gifts from foreign dignitaries.''' He had a strict policy of not excepting valuable gifts. He writes, "I had laid it dow...

New page

As President, Jefferson did not start the tradition of keeping '''gifts from foreign dignitaries.''' He had a strict policy of not excepting valuable gifts.

He writes, "I had laid it down as a law for my conduct while in office, and hitherto scrupulously observed to accept of no present beyond a book, a pamphlet or other curiosity of minor value; as well to avoid imputation on my motives of action as to shut out a practice susceptible to such abuse."<ref>Jefferson to Levett Harris. April 18, 1806. [[Short Title List|L&B,]] 11:101.</ref>

For example, in 1805, the Tunisian ambassador gave Jefferson some Arabian horsed. Jefferson sold them at a public auction to offset the cost of the ambassador's visit.

However, he was human and he made an exception. In Russia, tradition holds to give gifts and the Russian government gave the American consul, Mr. Harris, a bust of Alexander I. Mr. Harris gave this bust to Jefferson in 1806. Why did he accept this? One possible reason is that he thought it was a gift from Mr. Harris, not by the Russian government. Also, he admired Alexander not to turn it down. It still is at [http://explorer.monticello.org/text/index.php?id=32&type=4 Monticello] today.

==Footnotes==
<references/>

[[Category:Personal Life]]