In his First Inaugural Address (1801), Jefferson lists the “essential principles of our Government” in 15 doctrines—perhaps his first attempt at a definition of republicanism ([I1]: 494–95).
- Equal and exact justice to all men, irrespective of political or religious persuasion;
- peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations, without entangling alliances to any;
- Federal support in the rights of states’ government;
- preservation of constitutional vigor of the Federal government;
- election by the people;
- absolute acquiescence in the decisions of the majority;
- a well-disciplined militia;
- supremacy of the civil over the military authority;
- light taxation;
- ready payment of debts;
- encouragement of agriculture and commerce;
- the diffusion of information and arraignment of all abuses at the bar of the public reason;
- freedom of the press;
- protection by habeas corpus and trial by juries impartially selected; and
- freedom of religion.
Fifteen years later in a series of letters, Jefferson again grapples with a definition of “republicanism.” To P.S. Dupont de Nemours (24 Apr. 1816), Jefferson lists nine “moral principles” upon which republican government is grounded.