1 62 THOMAS JEFFERSON 



The work done by Jefferson in Virginia was to some 

 extent imitated in other states, not only in its general 

 spirit but often in details. One step in his warfare 

 with the old Tory families intrenched about Williams- 

 burg was the removal of the state capital to the village 

 of Richmond, which he accomplished in spite of bitter 

 opposition. For Virginia this turned out to be a wise 

 policy, but it is curious to see how generally it was 

 imitated, apparently through a dread and a jealousy 

 felt by the bucolic democracy toward cities and city 

 people. Thus our modern capitals are not New York, 

 but Albany; not Philadelphia, but Harrisburg; not 

 Milwaukee, but Madison; not St. Louis, but Jefferson 

 City; not New Orleans, but Baton Rouge, and so on 

 through the majority of the states. In like manner, 

 in 1 786, the Shays party wished to remove the govern- 

 ment of Massachusetts from Boston to some inland 

 village. 



Another measure which Jefferson introduced in 

 Virginia, in 1776, and which has been generally imi- 

 tated, was the provision for admitting foreigners to 

 citizenship after a residence of two years and a decla- 

 ration of intention to live in the state. This policy, 

 when first introduced, was unquestionably sound, and 

 has contributed powerfully to the rapid growth of the 

 United States in population and in wealth. It has 

 brought, moreover, to a far greater extent than is 

 supposed in much of the current talk upon this sub- 

 ject, an excellent class of immigrants containing the 

 more energetic and adventuresome elements in the 

 middle and lower strata of European society. Circum- 

 stances, nevertheless, that could not have been fore- 

 seen a century ago have surrounded it with dangers. 



