Super Short Summary

Notes on the State of Virginia by Thomas Jefferson, written in response to 23 queries from François Barbé-Marbois, provides in-depth information on various aspects of Virginia's landscape, climate, commerce, laws, institutions, and people. Jefferson describes the state's geography, agricultural products, militia, navy, Indigenous American tribes, and enslaved African Americans. The book also addresses Virginia's constitution, laws, religion, education, infrastructure, manufacturing, commerce, and historical records. The book includes racist assertions about Black people and discussions on slavery.