Finding, Framing, & Hanging Jefferson: A Lost Letter, a Remarkable Discovery, & Freedom of Speech in an Age of Terrorism Book

Acknowledgments.

PART I THE COLLECTOR AND HIS PASSIONS.

1 My Passion for Collecting.

2 My Passions for Freedom of Speech, Criminal Law, and Thomas Jefferson.

PART II THE LETTER.

3 Finding the Jefferson Letter.

4 The Provenance of the Jefferson-Boardman Letter.

PART III MY LETTER TO JEFFERSON.

5 Where We Have Come since 1826.

6 Jefferson’s First Argument: An Expressed Opinion Can Never Constitute an Overt Act.

7 Jefferson’s Second Argument: If Conscience Will Govern.

8 Jefferson’s Third Argument: "We Have Nothing to Fear from the Demoralizing Reasonings of Some, if Others Are Left Free to Demonstrate Their Errors".

9 Jefferson’s Fourth Argument: "The Law Stands Ready to Punish the First Criminal Act Produced by the False Reasoning".

10 Jefferson’s Fifth Argument: "These Are Safer Correctives than the Conscience of a Judge".

PART IV WHAT WOULD JEFFERSON SAY ABOUT TERRORISM AND FREEDOM OF SPEECH TODAY?

11 Jefferson’s Views on the "Terrorism" of His Era.

12 Jefferson’s Actions in the Burr Case.

13 Jefferson’s Views on Torture, Habeas Corpus, and Other Issues Currently Debated in the Context of Terrorism.

14 How Would Jefferson Strike the Balance between Freedom of Speech and Prevention of Terrorism.

15 My View, as Influenced by Jefferson and the Experiences of Our Time.

Appendix A A Transcript of the Jefferson Letter and Letterpress Copy.

Appendix B Excerpted from "Discourse: Truth Its Own Test and God Its Only Judge".

Notes.

Index.