. A history of the United States. -selves in their towns, counties,and states with as little inter-ference from the central gov-ernment as possible. Hewould have every man votewho earned a living, insteadof limiting the privilege to property holders, as in most ofthe older states. Jefferson was already famous. He had been governor ofVirginia and minister to France after Franklins return. InVirginia he had not only carried through laws dividing afathers estate equally among all the children, but he hadalso brought it about that every one should be free to at-tend and support the church he prefe
. A history of the United States. -selves in their towns, counties,and states with as little inter-ference from the central gov-ernment as possible. Hewould have every man votewho earned a living, insteadof limiting the privilege to property holders, as in most ofthe older states. Jefferson was already famous. He had been governor ofVirginia and minister to France after Franklins return. InVirginia he had not only carried through laws dividing afathers estate equally among all the children, but he hadalso brought it about that every one should be free to at-tend and support the church he preferred or none at all. Inother words, he established religious freedom in Virginia. Itwas his ambition to organize a complete system of educa-tion, beginning with the elementary school and ending witha university. He also wished to free children born of negroslaves, and thus gradually bring slavery in Virginia to an said he wanted equal and exact justice for all men andpeace, commerce, and honest friendship with all Thomas Jefferson 266 RULE OF JEFFERSON: A NEW WEST It is no wonder that many thought his election a great event,the promise of better things for all people. An Economical Administration. — As soon as Jeffersonbecame President, he worked to lessen the expenses of thegovernment. The army was reduced from 4,000 to 2,500men. This could be done because the danger of war wasover for the time. The same reason made possible econo-mies in the navy, which Jefferson beheved caused moredangers than it prevented. In his management of thefinances he had the assistance of Albert Gallatin, an ableSecretary of the Treasury, who in his youth had emigratedto America from Switzerland. Within eight years a third ofthe public debt was paid. Purchase of Louisiana. — Jefferson, however, was readyto spend money for a great purpose. In 1803 he had anunexpected opportunity to purchase the vast territory ofLouisiana, stretching from the Gulf of Mexico into the farnorthwest t
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