Diplomacy

#1337 The Vaunted Scene

#1337 The Vaunted Scene

“Behold me at length on the vaunted scene of Europe! […] I find the general fate of humanity here, most deplorable. The truth of Voltaire's observation, offers itself perpetually, that every man here must be either the hammer or the anvil.”

— Thomas Jefferson, 1785

We speak with President Jefferson about his time spent in France.

Edmond-Charles Genêt

Edmond-Charles Genêt

"We couldn't allow a French national to be here, stirring up anti-administration feeling in this country, or fitting out privateers in our wars."

— Clay S. Jenkinson portraying Thomas Jefferson

#1304 To France

#1304 To France

"This period was, in some ways, the most satisfying period of Jefferson's life, and in some ways it was the most radical."

— Clay S. Jenkinson

This week, as promised, and in anticipation of Clay’s upcoming cultural tour of Jefferson’s France in October 2019, we devote an entire show to discussion of Jefferson’s time as Minister to France from 1784 to 1789.

#1290 Adjustments

#1290 Adjustments

"He's a bit of Tea Party guy, he's a bit of libertarian, he's certainly for small government."

— Clay S. Jenkinson

This week's episode is devoted to answering listener questions, and many of the questions are about the current administration. We anticipate and appreciate comments on the issues discussed during this episode. Thanks for listening.

#1263 Jefferson's Travels

#1263 Jefferson's Travels

"I saw the future of the American experiment in the West."

— Thomas Jefferson, as portrayed by Clay S. Jenkinson

Catherine Jenkinson returns to host a conversation with President Jefferson about his travels in France, Europe and the United States.

#1238 Presidential Decorum

#1238 Presidential Decorum

"I never like to be rude, but sometimes one has to set the precedent for a society that will shock the world."

— Thomas Jefferson, as portrayed by Clay S. Jenkinson

This week, we discuss diplomacy and presidential decorum. When the British Ambassador Anthony Merry came to the White House, Jefferson went out of his way to be rude: to make it clear that the Revolution was won by us, not them.