Whole letter with bold text added for emphasis: Paris, November 13, 1787. Responsibility for the content of each post rests solely with the Individual Member making them. In a letter discussing changes to the Constitution in 1787, Thomas Jefferson gave voice to the idea behind the 2nd Amendment. Thomas Jefferson It is its natural manure," Jefferson wrote in a letter to William S. Smith, a diplomatic official in London, on November 13, 1787. PrC (DLC).. It is it's natural manure. What Article was Jefferson referring to in his “Tree of Liberty” letter? It was to Adams that TJ owed the copy of the new constitution (see Adams to TJ, 10 Nov. 1787), and, thanks to the French chargé d’affaires in New York, TJ was wrong in thinking that it would be three weeks before he would receive other copies from America: Otto’s copies arrived two days after the present letter was written (see Otto to TJ, 25 Sep. 1787). I’ve read a couple of articles about his letter and none have addressed his statement toward the end, “I hope in god this article will be rectified before the new constitution is accepted”. Thomas Jefferson once said; The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure,” . It is it’s natural manure. The tree of liberty must . factmyth.com/factoids/thomas-jefferson-called-for-rebellion-and-revolution The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. In a 1787 letter to William Stephens Smith, John Adams’ son in law, Thomas Jefferson wrote that “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.” Jefferson’s words came to mind yesterday when I took a phone call from a … NOTICE: The Tree of Liberty is an Internet forum for discussion of current news, national, and world events. The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. DEAR SIR, -- I am now to acknoledge the receipt of your favors of October the 4th, 8th, & 26th. The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. While the above quote is without question one of the more famous that our third President made, it also worth noting that he also said the following. A letter written by Thomas Jefferson to William Smith proving that Thomas Jefferson felt that the purpose for bearing arms was to prevent tyranny in American democracy.The rebellion referred to is Shays' Rebellion.. And what country can preserve it’s liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people … In the letter Jefferson wrote the following words, which have, from time-to-time, been quoted to affirm the rights of the people to rebel against one's government: The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots & tyrants. The opinions posted do not necessarily represent those of Tree of Liberty, LLC (the owner of this website), the staff or the site's host. In a letter to Col. William Smith, dated November 13, 1787, he said: “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.” Both of Jefferson’s famous quotes about Shays’ Rebellion are still frequently cited by people who are “mad as hell” about something the government has done.