His Double Reasons-Leaves Congress-Appointed a Commissioner to France-
Reasons for declining-Takes his Seat in the Virginia House of Delegates-Leader of
the Reform Party-Principal Coadjutors, Mason, Wythe, and Madison-Principal
Opponents, Pendleton and Nicholas Bills introduced by Jefferson, and their Fate-
Bill to abolish Entails-Effect of this on Virginia considered-Creates a Party hostile
to Jefferson-His Bill to naturalize Foreigners-Bill to remove the Seat of Govern-
ment That to abolish Entails passed-Bill for a General Revision of the Laws-This
passes, and the Revisors appointed-Bill to define Treason-Bill to regulate the Laws
of Succession-Bills on other Subjects-The Committee on Religion-Their Proceed-
ings-The existing Church Establishment-Its results-Jefferson reports his Bills to
establish Courts-Obtains Leave of Absence-Summary of further Proceedings-Pro-
ject for creating a Dictator-Patrick Henry proposed for Dictator-Wirt's Exculpation
of him-How the Project was crushed-Jefferson's View of it-Meeting of the Law
Revisers Their General Plan-Allotment of their Parts-Meeting of the General
Assembly in 1777-Parties-Jefferson's Legislative Dispatch-Brings in various Bills-
The Church Question-Called Home by Illness of his Wife-Contest of Parties-R. H.
Lee's Defeat-Subsequently vindicated-His Letter to Jefferson-Jefferson's Attitude
between the Parties-Adjournment-National Events-Fall Session of General Assem-
bly Jefferson's Bills to establish Courts-Elections Jefferson's Appointment on
Committees Contest between the two Houses-Final Struggle on Bills to establish
Courts Jefferson's Bill to sequester British Property-Report of the Law Revisers-
How and by whom the Work was executed-Anecdote of Mr. Wickham-Extent of
the Revision-How certain Principles in it were settled-A Sentimental Anecdote
exploded-Jefferson opposed to the Principle of Retaliation-His Bill for establishing
Religious Freedom-Original and amended Copy-His other Religious Bills-History
of Religious Bills continued-Washington's, Henry's, and R. H. Lee's opinions in favor
of Compulsory Church Levies-The Struggle completed-Jefferson's three Educational
Bills Copy of Preamble of his Free School Bill-Analysis of its Provisions-Further
History of the three Bills-Slavery Laws Jefferson's Penal Code-General Analysis
of it-His View of the effects of the Revision-Ultimate Fate of the Revision-Letter to
Franklin-Chasms in Mr. Jefferson's Correspondence explained-His warm Appeal for
British Prisoners-Correspondence with English and German Officers-Philips, de
Riedesel, de Geismer, etc.-Letter to Philips and to de Unger-Courtesies to the
Prisoners-The Baroness de Riedesel-How Jefferson was repaid by the English and
German Officers,
194