More about the Visual In the cartoon, the words on the altar read "Altar to Gallic Despotism" which is a reference to the French Revolution. On the altar are works by Thomas Paine ("Age of Reason") and William Godwin, who supported the French revolutionaries. A snake the "Age of Reason" onto the fire A demon besaran crouches below the altar. The document in Jefferson's left hand is a letter that Jefferson allegedly wrote to Philip Mazzei criticizing George Washington. The eye represents the eye of God. "Providential Detection refers to God seeing Jefferson's radicalism and sending the eagle to save the Constitution from his grasp. What is the main message of the cartoon?

The main message of the cartoon is that Thomas Jefferson's radical ideas and actions were a threat to the stability and integrity of the United States, and that divine intervention was necessary to prevent him from causing harm to the Constitution and the nation. The cartoon portrays Jefferson as a demon crouching below an altar, with works by Thomas Paine and William Godwin, who supported the French Revolution, on the altar. The document in Jefferson's left hand is a letter that Jefferson allegedly wrote to Philip Mazzei criticizing George Washington. The eye on the altar represents the eye of God, and the phrase "Providential Detection" refers to God seeing Jefferson's radicalism and sending the eagle to save the Constitution from his grasp. Overall, the cartoon suggests that Jefferson's radicalism was a threat to the nation and that divine intervention was necessary to prevent him from causing harm.