Notes on the State of Virginia

Jefferson presents in a table the numbers of European settlers who came to Virginia in various years, from 1607 (the year the Jamestown settlement was established) to 1782. He shows that the population of the state has grown from just 100 people in 1607 to 567,614 at the time of writing.

The subject of Virginia’s population raises the question of immigration. Some voices in Jefferson’s day proposed increasing America’s population by importing as many immigrants as possible from other countries, but Jefferson asks whether this is in fact “good policy.” The plan assumes that simply multiplying numbers will produce a prosperous society, but Jefferson argues that societal cohesion depends on uniting people with similar beliefs and backgrounds. He believes bringing people raised under absolute monarchies into a country founded on democratic principles raises inherent problems and dangers since the immigrants will inevitably maintain some of their “Old World” ideas and customs. Therefore, instead of immediately importing masses of immigrants, Jefferson advises waiting 27 years for the population to increase.

On the other hand, Jefferson acknowledges that when it comes to agriculture, more laborers are always needed, and immigration would thus be welcome. He further emphasizes that people who want to immigrate should be allowed to do so but that the government should not encourage immigration as a general policy.