Jefferson: Declaration not original

By PETER GUINTA

The nation's third president, Thomas Jefferson, was portrayed to perfection Thursday night by actor and producer Bill Barker at Flagler Auditorium, who described how he and four others on the committee appointed to write the Declaration of Independence tried to explain universal thoughts on liberty in simple terms.

"(But) there is not one new or original thought in (it)," he said.

He explained that many ideas in the Declaration were borrowed from "the Englishman who provoked the American Revolution," John Locke -- who wrote "all men are created equal," for example -- as well as from Cicero, Aristotle, George Mason and other greats who wrote about the rights given to mankind by Nature.

"Mankind was not born with saddles on their backs," he said. "The common man, given the truth and the facts, can be a judge for himself."

The program, "Discover First America," was the fourth in seven presentations to honor St. Augustine's 450th birthday in 2015. All are sponsored by the St. Augustine 450th Commemoration Commission, the Florida Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Jefferson, born in 1743 in Shadwell, Va., wrote two of the greatest contributions to the American Revolution -- "A Summary View of the Rights of British America" and the Declaration of Independence. He came to discuss the current state of politics between the rebelling colonies and the 15th colony, East Florida.

He denied kingly authority over the 13 northern colonies and said government should be based on popular consent.

It took only minutes for the capacity audience at Flagler to accept the man in the black cutaway coat and black breeches and boots as the real Jefferson rather than as an actor.

He spoke as if it were the year 1810, before the $12 million, 830,000 square-mile Louisiana Purchase was explored, but after his presidency was over and that of James Madison's had begun.

"I hope that wherever we can imagine progress to take us in 1910 or 2010, that we never forget the human minds and hands that founded the United States of America," he said. "This nation is the only one on the face of the earth founded by principle, not by a monarchy or aristocracy. The greatest of our rights is this: The ability to express our opinions."

During his various offices, Jefferson was attacked by Federalists who wanted tighter control of the government and creation of a national bank.

Jefferson drew cheers as he apparently tweaked the Obama Administration's rampant borrowing from China, saying, "Spending money that you do not have only enslaves you to your creditor."

Barker as an actor did not stick to a script but joked about modern dress and once, a cell phone ringing.

"I declare that I just heard a nightingale," he said.

As a slaveholder, Jefferson was careful with how he dealt with the institution of slavery, which he said ran counter to the ideals of the Declaration.

"We must eventually eradicate it," he said. "No one can deny that they were brought here against their will. Too many aggressions against them will not be so easily forgotten."

He praised newspapers as a way to discover truth and facts.

"Sometimes they print errors. But in the end, the common man can be a judge for himself," he said. "It is the public debate more than anything else that will preserve and defend our natural rights. When it comes to fashion, my advice is swim with the current. But when it comes to principle, stand like a rock."

Jesse Fish and the British

St. Augustine resident Jesse Fish, a British subject, was a prosperous -- but somewhat untrustworthy -- merchant when the Spanish were forced to leave the city in 1763 due to a treaty obligation.

John Stavely, manager of the Fountain of Youth, played Fish on Thursday night with a stylish and humorous flair.

He said he'd like to work with the Tory newcomers flooding south to the city as the Revolutionary War worsened for the British.

"If you need a roof over your head, I'm your man," Fish said. "Regarding those Liberty Boys, as they call themselves, His Majesty will make short work of those men, I'm sure."

He dealt with the Dutch, Spanish and French, even the American rebels, and he criticized the United States' first constitution, the newly written Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union.

The East Florida Rangers, a type of guerrilla force fighting with British troops in Florida, had a mission to "bring away a large number of cattle" from their raids in Georgia.

"These men are serious," he said. "Chief Cowcatcher of the Seminoles is helping them."

Fish criticized the "numbskulls, blockheads and pettifoggers" that are encouraging independence.

He then left, saying, "I'm Fish. Jesse Fish. Come see me. I'm your man in St. Augustine."

Afterward historical re-enactor Anthea Manny presented a fashion show of British civilian and military uniforms.

Displayed were the regimental colors and uniforms of the 70th Regiment of Foot and the 6th Regiment of Foot, both stationed here from 1763 to 1783.

The soldiers wore white linen breeches and waistcoat with the traditional red battle jacket that gave the Redcoats their nickname. The soldiers went through their Manual of Arms and fixed their fearsome bayonets.

Also shown during the show were typical dresses worn by Menorcan working women and brides -- about 600 Menorcans came to St. Augustine in 1777, tripling the population -- and clothes worn by local merchants,