Monticello

Selfless Leadership seen within their Gardens

"I have seen the Queen of France with eighteen millions of Livres of diamonds upon her person, all the glitter of her jewels, did not make an impression on me equal to that presented by every shrub" - Jefferson Davis

Thomas Jefferson is finally given the chance to return to his home at Monticello, where he will continue and excel at his passion for gardening. Jefferson's obsession over his garden seems to be a reflection of not only the type of country he envisions America at that time but the America he sees in the future.
Wulf identifies from Jefferson's sketching, scribbling and writing that his direct feelings and thoughts during his presidency were reflected in his planting schemes for Monticello.

     Wulf believes that at the peak of Jefferson's presidency after a stunning victory in the elections over the federalists his ideas were grander than anything he usually wanted to attempt in the garden. When tides turned and his presidency was somewhat sour towards the end, he changed his design to represent his vision of America. His vision would not be appreciated till later as Wulf explains when she states, "Slowly, as America's wilderness became part of the country's national identity and an object of pride, visitors to Monticello began to appreciate Jefferson's approach" (Wulf, 180). The action taken by Jefferson with his decisions especially surrounding his garden are a direct reflextion of his personality and who he respected.

Wulf states, "Like George Washington before him, Jefferson longed to tend to his plantation and garden, and had made the decision to follow Washington's example and not run for a third term" (Wulf, 174). Jefferson believes he has done his service in power and being a humble man bows out after two terms and residing in his relaxing passion in gardening. This speaks to his personality and therefore implies notions about the type of America he envisions that differs from Europe. Wulf helps explains where this notion came from as she speaks of the embargo banning that happens on all trade with Europe. This action called for an importance on the United States agriculture and home production which Jefferson would imprint into Monticello's soil. His garden just like Washington and Adams reflected their greatest concerns and inspirations. The stereotypes of American pride and freedom have been in her history since leaders such as Jefferson envisioned the country's future, along with Washington and Adams. These leaders had enough selfless devotion to promote ideas in the hope of a great America in the future.