Charlottesville Va_oct 08

Charlottesville, VA (Well, the South East part of it.) October 2008

On the road again…

The beginnings of fall

Quotes 

Of liberty I would say that, in the whole plenitude of its extent, it is unobstructed action according to our will. But rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law,' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the right of an individual.” - Jefferson

Jefferson’s “Memorial” ;)

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“I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend.” - Jefferson

Quotes 

I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around [the banks] will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered. The issuing power should be taken from the banks and restored to the people, to whom it properly belongs. - Thomas Jefferson, Letter to the Secretary of the Treasury Albert Gallatin (1802)

Monticello

More views of the home.

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The well known photos of Monticello are of the back, such as these. I was rather surprised how small the house really is.

More shots closer up…

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Commerce with all nations, alliance with none, should be our motto. – Thomas Jefferson

Giving more a panoramic view.

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Dependence begets subservience and venality, suffocates the germ of virtue, and prepares fit tools for the designs of ambition. – Thomas Jefferson

Hey! The front door!

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I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than to those attending too small a degree of it. Jefferson, to Archibald Stuart, 1791

Awesome view of the garden.

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Determine never to be idle...It is wonderful how much may be done if we are always doing. - Jefferson

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“On the dogmas of religion, as distinguished from moral principles, all mankind, from the beginning of the world to this day, have been quarreling, fighting, burning and torturing one another, for abstractions unintelligible to themselves and to all others, and absolutely beyond the comprehension of the human mind.” - Jefferson

Almost seemed fake.

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“I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that his justice cannot sleep forever.” Jefferson

Quotes 

“We hold these truths to be self evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

– Thomas Jefferson, Declaration of Independence

The side and roof of the home of James Monroe from 1799-1823

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James Monroe was a fascinating character. He was studied law with Thomas Jefferson. He served under George Washington during the American Revolution. He was also the only person to serve as both Secretary of War and Secretary of State at the same time during the War of 1812. This house is 2.25 miles from Monticello.

James Monroe’s cow

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"The best form of government is that which is most likely to prevent the greatest sum of evil.“ – James Monroe

Quotes “It is only when the people become ignorant and corrupt, when they degenerate into a populace, that they are incapable of exercising their sovereignty. Usurpation is then an easy attainment, and an usurper soon found. The people themselves become the willing instruments of their own debasement and ruin.” - James Monroe 

Quotes 

“In this great nation there is but one order, that of the people, whose power, by a peculiarly happy improvement of the representative principle, is transferred from them, without impairing in the slightest degree their sovereignty, to bodies of their own creation, and to persons elected by themselves, in the full extent necessary for the purposes of free, enlightened, and efficient government.”

– James Monroe

Credits and possibly useless information I added to ramble further and take more of your time.  

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Pictures were taken by Heidi Tice This trip was initiated to attend the wedding reception of good friends and we decided to go early to enjoy the scenery and historical sights. The weather was mid- to low 50s. Most of the countryside was still green with the beginnings of leaves changing color.