Here is a great article about Jefferson and the Muslim Barbary coast pirates. Notice the famous quote millions for defense but not one for tribute. Jefferson was referring to ending the practice of paying tribute to the Muslim Barbary pirates who were doing what their *holy book* told them to do—rape, kill and pillage.
Old Ironsides, the USS Constitution is here in Boston harbor to remind us of our first battle with the Muslim world. When you come to Boston make sure you go on a tour of the USS Constitution. Bring your kids and grandkids and teach them our history and what the real world is about.
http://www.usvetdsp.com/jan07/jeff_quran.htm
And here is the politcally correct version of the Founding Fathers view of Islam. Of course things seemed to change when they got an up close and personal view of Islam during the Barbary wars. Most of these benign views on Islam were made before the Barbary wars. They should have read the Koran as Jefferson did.
http://www.loc.gov/loc/lcib/0205/tolerance.html
This is needs to be taught in US Schools nationwide...the first War on Terror actually...when I give public speeches on Iraq and WOT - I always open up that history lesson!