He was Secretary of State for part of Madison's first term & stayed in the post for the second term
[DOC] [TLE] Thomas Jefferson facts, information, pictures | Encyclopedia.com ... [PAR] He was governor of Virginia (17791781)his first executive officeduring the 
... James Madison, the secretary of state, had been Jefferson's political friend and 
... appointed, in part, to nudge that important state into the Republican column.