nfinitely greater degree of happiness than those who live under European governments.” – Jefferson to Edward Carrington, 16 January 1787
“The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions that I wish it to be always kept alive. . . .I like a little rebellion now and then. It is like a storm in the atmosphere.” – Jefferson to Abigail Adams, 22 February 1787
“If the happiness of the mass of the people can be secured at the expense of a little tempest now and then or even a little blood, it will be a precious purchase.” – Jefferson to Ezra Stiles, 24 December 1786
“What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure.” – Jefferson to William Stephens Smith, 13 November 1787
“I am not a Federalist, because I never submitted the whole system of my opinions to the creed of any party of men whatever. . . . Such an addiction is the last degradation of a free and moral agent. If I could not go to heaven but with a party, I would not go there at all.” – Jefferson to Francis Hopkinson, 13 March 1789