But even Jefferson did not inordinately seek or desire the presidency.  The office quite as earnestly sought him, as the most popular man in the country, who had proved himself to be a man of great abilities in the various positions he had previously filled, and as honest as he was patriotic.  He had few personal enemies.  His enemies were the leaders of the Federal party, if we except Aaron Burr, in whose honesty few believed.  The lies which the bitter and hostile Federalists told about Jefferson were lost on the great majority of the people, who believed in him.

Jefferson was inaugurated as president in 1801, and selected an able Cabinet, with his friend and disciple James Madison as Secretary of State, and Albert Gallatin, an experienced financier, a Swiss by birth, as Secretary of the Treasury.  He at once made important changes in all matters of etiquette and forms, introducing greater simplicity, abolishing levees, titles, and state ceremonials, and making himself more accessible to the people.  His hospitality was greater than that of any preceding or succeeding president.  He lived in the White House more like a Virginian planter than a great public functionary, wearing plain clothes, and receiving foreign ministers without the usual formalities, much to their chagrin.  He also prevailed on Congress to reduce the army and navy, retaining a force only large enough to maintain law and order.  He set the example of removing important officers hostile to his administration, although he did not make sweeping changes, as did General Jackson afterward, on the avowed ground that “spoils belong to victors,”—­thus increasing the bitterness of partisanship.

The most important act of Jefferson’s administration was the purchase of Louisiana from France for fifteen millions of dollars.  Bonaparte had intended, after that great territory had been ceded to him by Spain, to make a military colony at New Orleans, and thus control the Mississippi and its branches; but as he wanted money, and as his ambition centred in European conquests, he was easily won over by the American diplomatists to forego the possession of that territory, the importance of which he probably did not appreciate, and it became a part of the United States.  James Monroe and Robert Livingston closed the bargain with the First Consul, and were promptly sustained by the administration, although they had really exceeded their instructions.  Bonaparte is reported to have said of this transaction:  “This accession of territory strengthens forever the power of the United States.  I have given to England a maritime rival that will sooner or later humble her pride.”