A Serpent’s Tooth

Abstract This chapter describes Short’s relationship with Jefferson from his return from France in 1802, down to Jefferson’s death. It charts Jefferson’s struggle to repay the debt he owed Short and his generosity in incurring further debt to finalize a sale of Indian Camp. It describes Jefferson’s efforts to find Short a public service role, which culminated in an ill-conceived decision to appoint Short as an unauthorized presidential envoy to Russia. It assesses the development of an increasingly unpleasant self-confidence in Short’s dealings with Jefferson, manifesting itself in political disagreement and jealousy of Madison and Monroe and culminating in Short’s reluctance to relieve Jefferson of his final crippling indebtedness. It also reveals the continuation of a fictive father–son relationship through Short’s desire to receive religious and moral instruction from Jefferson.