if you think about it peter jefferson was using scientific experiments to make the unknown, known. to create maps of what was to them, wilderness. and to carve out of this unknown backcountry of beautiful image of a map. it is very poetic. it's a metaphor for jefferson's mind of the guy who's constantly learning combine science and knowledge with discovery. >> so we are going to the top of the hill now. >> we're climbing monticello. at one time this was over 2000 acres in thomas jefferson's estate. where we will go is the highest point on the state which jefferson called mount alto. >> are we seeing monticello over there? >> that is a little mountain. again, this mountain was part of jefferson's 2000-acre estate, which of course we should point out where hundreds of people of color were enslaved for many years. >> we can see mulberry road from appear as well. >> that was sort of the industrial parts of his estate where he had a number of little factories and workshops that were manned by people of color. and i was just next to the garden. -- and it was just next to the garden. >> s

peter jefferson, of whom thomas was very proud throughout his life, had authority in his county thatrested on for basis. the first was of course, the tie between virginia and the united kingdom. most particularly the common ground, the monarchy. second was the futile landholdings that kept very few people, owners of a large share of today's virginia. astoria named holly brewer who was at north carolina state university calculated about 20 years ago, in 1776 when jefferson was drafting the it declaration of independence, about two thirds of today state of virginia was held by about 85 families. there were about 85 people who owed about two thirds of today state. people who are not from virginia, a little bit of perspective there, the state in which i live, connecticut has eight counties. the 300 square miles who were owned by those 85 families in 1776, 300 square miles would be about half of one of today's connecticut counties. in other words, that is the kind of landholdings that would have 16 people owning the entire state of connecticut. jefferson's father was one of these people.

when jefferson was a young man his father peter was the most important manner around and so, jefferson had repeated contact with indian leaders who were traveling what by that point were lands west of here back to williamsburg, sometimes annually and in some cases to communicate with the governor and the governor in williamsburg. everson learned at an early age to have some admiration for these people. he became involved in the significant dispute with the leading biologists in europe at the time. the font argued that mammals lived in the western hemisphere were degenerate. that is he said, the people are degenerate, compared to old world people. the animals that are naturally occurring in north america are smaller than european animals, less numerous. this is all environmental and of course the impatient as well, you're a frenchman taking of moving to north america you might want to think again. jefferson and others, his political cohorts, thought thought it was an implication of the argument too. one thing that the american political leaders of the time were interested in enticing eu

his father, peter jefferson, was a surveyor and co-authored in the official new map of virginia. at that time, it was nothing like it -- it was the best map of virginia. little tommy was raised on this man who would god and explore and make maps and discover. if you think about it, peter jefferson was using scientific experiments to make the unknown known coming to create -- maps and to carve out of this unknown backcountry, beautiful image of a map. it is very poetic. it's a metaphor for jefferson's mind, this guy who was constantly learning. the idea of science knowledge with discovery. >> we are heading to the top of the hell now. >> yes, climbing monticello. acres of estate. we are going to go to the highest point, which jefferson called note also. that is the little mountain. was part ofn jefferson's 2000 acre estate. of course, we should point out where hundreds of people of color were enslaved for many many years. >> and we can see mulberry road from appearance as well. >> that's right, mulberry row, jefferson considered it the industrial part of his estate, of littlead a

jefferson's father, peter jefferson, was a wealthy virginia planner and surveyor who married successfully into the prestigious randolph family. but he was not a refined and lib really educated gentleman. he did not read latin. he did not know french. he did not play the violin. and as far as we know, he never once questioned the idea of religious establishment or the owning of slaves. his son, thomas jefferson, was very different. indeed, all the revolutionaries knew things their fathers did not know, and they were eager to prove themselves in what they believed and valued by their disinterestedness, by their virtue. but there was one prominent revolutionary leader who did not seek to play this role that the others did. now, on the face of it, aaron burr had all the credentials of being a great founder. he was a revolutionary war veteran, a princeton graduate, and a charming and wealthy aristocrat. he eventually became a senator from new york and vice president of the united states, the third, and his predecessors were john adams and thomas jefferson. he was well on his way to a great car

peters. thank you for the opportunity to participate in this hearing and to discuss the design and construction projects at the jefferson barracks and john cochran campuses of the v.a. st. louis healthcare system. the st. louis healthcare system is a dual affiliated full service healthcare system providing inpatient and out patient care in medicine, psychology, rehab and many other subspecials. it's a two-division facility that serves veterans in east central missouri and southwest illinois. john sock dran division is located in midtown st. louis and comprises the medical centers surgical capability, ambulatory care units, intensive care units, and our emergency department. one of the top priorities for the department has been improving access to care. in st. louis we've take than to heart. while more work remains to be done, both the v.a. and st. louis has made real progress. in fy fiscal year 16, st. louis has hired 385 staff including 36 physicians, four physician assistants, 93 nurses, and 252 other critical occupations. we've extended clinic hours at five of our locations and hold saturday clinics at two of them. a