[Sherman Logan]

I agreee that TJ is vastly overrated as a statesman.

As a writer, his language will perhaps never be topped.

I’m not sure I understand your last paragraph. The Federalists like Adams were of a stronger central government. The anti-Federalists like Jefferson were opposed to what in hindsight were necessary central government powers. TJ initially opposed the Constitution for this reason.

[LS]

True. But what is not generally known is that the Federalists wanted divided government---central stronger, but they absolutely favored division of powers on levels. To the Washington/Madison/Adams Federalists, the "other" faction was the monarchists/nationalists, who didn't want states at all.

Check out our extended discussion of this in "A Patriot's History of the United States."