Thomas Cooper & Jefferson: Shaping America's Future

Thomas Cooper and Thomas Jefferson are renowned historical figures whose writing and ideas influenced the development of America. Cooper was an immigrant who settled in Pennsylvania from America because of his religious views. Jefferson grew up in America and played an integral role in the development of the nation through his writings and other documents that shaped governance and political system in the country. Cooper and Jefferson exchanged correspondences in 1814 at the time of war where they expressed their views on the strengths of America and Britain that made a great nation. The main arguments of Cooper in his letter portrayed Britain as a superior nation for its shift to manufacturing rather than focusing on agriculture. Even though Cooper had an issue with the distribution of wealth and how this system of manufacturing benefited those in power than the laborers. Jefferson was so critical on the measurement of happiness between the two countries. Even if Britain had developed the manufacturing sector, the existence of classes in the society did not reflect on the standards of happiness between the two nations. Cooper and Jefferson shared similar views on the unique strengths of Britain and America but remained critical on some aspects of economic and political systems in the two countries.

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Cooper, in his letter, took a swipe at the English constitution and the government. In his argument, Copper noted that the style of governance in Britain created a wealth disparity which left many people in poverty and relied on aid from the government. Cooper argued that the British political and economic system had turned millions of people into laborers to create wealth while disregarding the welfare of these people. in his argument, Coper argued that the British people had benefited from this kind of arrangement something that was much desired in America. Cooper was so critical on the role of science in transforming the manufacturing sector and how the adoption of manufacturing could not only improve the economy and reduce poverty while giving a country a military strength. On the issue of military, Cooper caste doubt the ability of American people to form a formidable military power since people were already used for trading and agriculture and converting these people to provide military firepower would be an adventure in futility. Cooper argued that Britain had strengths in manufacturing that could spill to other sectors in the economy even though it had its evils. America needed to copy Britain to introduce the science of manufacturing and develop the country.

Cooper observed that America was made up of lazy people who waste time at all levels. The attitude on laziness, according to Cooper, meant that the American people would not be persuaded to defend their country by joining the army. People felt comfortable in their homes, something that brought poverty among the people. The solution to this kind of attitude would be to follow the British style of governance by prioritizing manufacturing that could force people to live their homes and work to create wealth. While Cooper observed that manufacturing creates a capitalism that subjected the laborers to poverty, there was no need to adopt a system that could create similar problems in America. The Americans had created an environment that valued equality and manufacturing needed to be changed so that the exploitation of the poor would not be encouraged. Cooper concluded his remarks by noting that no nation was safe of the two. While there existed classes in society, those from a low class would be made to fight for the rich, and the outcome would support the idea of capitalism. Copper concluded with the argument that a military of manufacturing nation had superior knowledge and energy but developing a formidable army should be a priority for any nation.

Jefferson's letter responded to Cooper's letter by appreciating his discourse as it set a theme that could help in developing a nation. Jefferson agreed with much of Cooper's assertions but provided his reflection on the innate strengths of both America and Britain. Jefferson observed that Britain had three classes of people who could not be changed by the existing system. The ruling class, labors, and the paupers were the three classes of people that danced to the tune of manufacturing. While appreciating manufacturing in creating a system where people could work to afford their essential needs, Jefferson argued that this kind of system had no moral authority as it disregarded the happiness of the people. According to Jefferson, the measurement of happiness in Britain was in no comparison to that in America. Laborers in Britain were continually being misused in a system that pushed them to be paupers a situation that created constant riots that were silenced by the government. The description of the state of political and economic system in Britain showed the kind of happiness that existed in Britain which could not be compared to America.

Jefferson took a swipe on the American banking system and how it supported practices that promoted poverty. The banks had identified ways of making money from the public while making it hard for citizens to enjoy credit and other banking facilities. Any economy can be transformed through manufacturing with the presence of capital. However, the public had been denied the opportunity to use those services to improve their economic welfare. Banks were colluding with a few people who could, in turn, benefit from capital to impoverish the larger part of the population. Jefferson expressed his efforts of calling out against the development of banking that failed to observe ethics. As such, he blamed the economic failures in America to banking systems and the rogue nature of their operations. The focus of Jefferson was on standards of happiness between two countries and how the British approach to development had left more people poorer while disregarding the happiness of the average working class. Jefferson views on banking echoed the need for America to reform the banking system and focus on the overall happiness of its population in all the development endeavors.

In conclusion, Copper and Jefferson exchanged correspondences, which depicted their views on the strengths of America and Britain. While Cooper agitated for the development of a strong military that could support the countries pursuit of knowledge and energy, it disregarded the impact such an avenue had on the economy. Even if Cooper agreed that manufacturing had loopholes in the growth of poverty, the overall impact was sustainable for any country. Jefferson took a moral aspect on the strengths of two countries while arguing that manufacturing and banking needed reform to be able to improve the level of happiness among the working class.

Bibliography

Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 17 August 1814.

Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Cooper, 10 September 1814.

Thomas Cooper to Thomas Jefferson, 21 September 1814.