Thomas Jefferson had once been a Federalist, in the sense of supporting ratification of the Constitution of 1787. He had missed the convention that drafted the Constitution, being in Paris serving as America's minister to France. He would have suggested some modifications of the final version. But on the whole he considered it an improvement over the Articles of Confederation.
I recently read Dr. Brands' excellent biography of Andrew Jackson. I suspect that if Jefferson hadn't accepted Napoleon's offer, a later president like Jackson or Polk would have taken it by force. Unless I misunderstood Brands' biography of Old Hickory, Jackson was eying Canada for future expansion.
If Jefferson hadn't decided to take Napoleon's offer, the United States would probably be much smaller now, and several states would not exist at all.
I recently read Dr. Brands' excellent biography of Andrew Jackson. I suspect that if Jefferson hadn't accepted Napoleon's offer, a later president like Jackson or Polk would have taken it by force. Unless I misunderstood Brands' biography of Old Hickory, Jackson was eying Canada for future expansion.