TherelationshipbetweenThomasJeffersonandWilliamShort,theeldestsonofanestablishedVirginiafamilyandrelativeofMarthaJefferson,beganasapatron-prot矇g矇arrangementconventionalfortheera.JeffersonencouragedShort’slegalcareerandgavehimhisfirstlegalwork.ThusbeganabondoffortyyearsthatthatbothmencharacterizedinpaternalandfilialtermsandthatshedsconsiderablelightontheenigmaticFoundingFather.IntheaftermathofJefferson’sprecipitous“flightfromMonticello,“Shortunderwrotesubstantialshort-termloanstohim.JeffersontooktheyoungermantoFranceashisprivatesecretaryin1784but,quicklyconcludingthathismoralwell-beingandpoliticaljudgmentwereatrisk,heurgedShorttoreturntoAmericaandsettledown.Short,however,wishedtopursueaforeignservicecareerandalongaffairwithaFrencharistocrat.JeffersonwantedShorttoembraceaVirginiawayoflookingattheworld,evenbuyinghimafarmnearMonticello.Shortresisted--andrejectedJefferson’sideasaboutslavery,economics,marriage,thepracticeofdemocraticgovernment,andrepublicanmorality,butwithoutrejectinghis“friendandfather.“HeshowedlittlerespectforJefferson’spoliticalachievements,viewinghimasawell-meaning“visionary,“yethewasconsciousoflivinginthestatesman’sshadow.WilliamShortwasnotThomasJefferson’sintellectualequal,wasnotapoliticalcollaborator,andneverbecameaneighbor,yettheeldermaninvestedconsiderableemotionalenergyandtimeinhis“adoptiveson,“evenduringhisvice-presidencyandpresidency.Byefficientlymanagingtheyoungerman’sfinancialaffairsJeffersonenabledhisextendedstayinFrance,butalsodivertedShort’smoneyforhisownuse.AlthoughhebelievedShort’spoliticaljudgmenthadbeencloudedbyhisenjoymentofFrenchsocietyandsavagelycriticizedhisreactiontotheFrenchRevolution,henevergaveuponShorttheprivateindividual.HeirthroughHoperevealsafigurewhoservedasauniquesoundingboardtoaFounder,whileunderscoringthedistinctwaysJeffersonenvisionedtheUnitedStates’destinyvis?visEurope.Fascinatinginitsownright,theircomplexrelationshiphighlightsthetensionsbetweenthefoundinggenerationanditssuccessorswhileilluminatingtheoperationofpoliticalpowerinearlynationalAmericaandRevolutionaryEurope.
