The Principle of Local Self-Government in Virginia

In his famous letter to Samuel Kercheval, Jefferson wrote concerning the principle of local self-government as follows: “The organization of our county administrations may be thought more difficult. But follow principle, and the knot unties itself. Divide the counties into wards of such size as that every citizen can attend, when called on, and act in person. Ascribe to them the government of their wards in all things relating to themselves exclusively. A justice, chosen by themselves, in each, a constable, a military company, a patrol, a school, the care of their own poor, their own portion of the public roads,…†“We should, therefore,†Jefferson summarizes, “marshall our government into (1) the general federal republic for all concerns foreign and federal; (2) that of the state for what relates to our own citizens, exclusively; (3) the county republics for the duties and concerns of the county; and (4) the ward republics for the small and yet numerous and interesting concerns of the neighborhood. In government as well as in every other business of life, it is by division and subdivision of duties alone that all matters great and small can be managed to perfection. And the whole is cemented by giving to every citizen, personally, a part in the administration of public affairs.â€