Thomas Jefferson faced the problem of paying for projects such as the Louisiana Purchase ($3million plus administrative expense), the Lewis and Clark expedition, and various other less visible national obligations which created public debt. The means of raising enough revenue to pay for the undertakings may have been the focus of the high school student's query. Marilyn Symonds To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html