Republican Constitutionalism in Thomas Jefferson's Notes on the State of Virginia

The unusual form and content of Thomas Jefferson's Notes on the State of Virginia has obscured its contribution to the development of republican constitutional theory. We propose an interpretation of the Notes taken as a unified whole, demonstrating how attention to its coherent literary structure and Enlightenment methodology prepares readers for the political reforms and the vision of republican constitutionalism presented therein. We also argue that a careful study of the publication history of the Notes shows Jefferson's intention to print and distribute the work in America at a critical period during the debates over the proposed Constitution of 1787. The success of his effort to influence the deliberations may be seen in the impact of Jefferson's vision of republican constitutions in the Notes on James Madison's contributions to The Federalist.