---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But, you may ask, if the two departments…"
description: "\"But, you may ask, if the two departments [i.e., federal and state] should claim each the same subject of power, where is the common umpire to decide ul..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d33/thomas-jefferson-43_aloof_but-you-may-ask-if-the-two-departments-i_1638614.jpg"
---

#  But, you may ask, if the two departments \[i.e., federal…

![“But, you may ask, if the two departments [i.e., federal and state] should claim each the same subject of power, where is the common umpire to decide ultimately between them? In cases of little importance or urgency, the prudence of both parties will keep them aloof from the questionable ground…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d33/thomas-jefferson-43_aloof_but-you-may-ask-if-the-two-departments-i_1638614.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d33/thomas-jefferson-43_aloof_but-you-may-ask-if-the-two-departments-i_1638614.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d33/thomas-jefferson-43_aloof_but-you-may-ask-if-the-two-departments-i_1638614.jpg)

> “But, you may ask, if the two departments \[i.e., federal and state\] should claim each the same subject of power, where is the common umpire to decide ultimately between them? In cases of little importance or urgency, the prudence of both parties will keep them aloof from the questionable ground; but if it can neither be avoided nor compromised, a convention of the States must be called to ascribe the doubtful power to that department which they may think best.”

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The passage debates jurisdictional conflict between federal and state powers, proposing a national convention to resolve disputes when neither can compromise.

**In simple terms:** States and federal government may clash over authority; a national body can decide.

Key Takeaway

Use a federal convention to settle power disputes.

Themes

government federalism jurisdiction conflict resolution

Mood

analytical concerned

Type

historical legal policy

When to use this quote

- legislative deadlock
- emergency decision making
- policy implementation

Key Concepts

constitutional law political theory intergovernmental relations

Questions to Reflect On

- What mechanisms exist today to resolve such disputes?
- Is a national convention practical in modern governance?

A Different Perspective

Political realities may prevent convening a convention quickly.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Aloof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aloof/) [Constitution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitution/) [Party](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/party/) [Prudence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prudence/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Urgency](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/urgency/)

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## More by Thomas Jefferson

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[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

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