He was not the brilliant speaker as one would expect him to be, but his writing skills proved to be more than adequate enough to impress experienced English legislators. During his stay there, he published a pamphlet called "A Summary view of the Rights of British America" which made the case against Parliament"s authority over the colonies.("Thomas Jefferson") As a member of the Continental Congress (1775-1776), Jefferson was appointed to write the Declaration of Independence (1776). Because of Jefferson"s talented skill of writing, he was easily the favored man to do the task. This essay he wrote was probably the best known work of Thomas Jefferson and at the same time, it was a privileged learning experience for him.("Thomas Jefferson") During the years of 1776 to 1779, Jefferson served as a member in the Virginia House of Delegates. He and many others "worked to abolish entails and primogeniture and to promote religious freedom and education." (DeGregorio 43) In 1779 to 1781, he served two years as governor of Virginia. These years did not go too smoothly for Jefferson and his administration was not successful at all. He had been accused by the people for not being responsible when the war had been on Virginian soil and he had been criticized for being a coward when British troops were headed towards his Monticello home. However, a special committee later fully vindicated him, praised for his "ability, rectitude, and integrity" and thanking him for his "impartial, upright, and attentive administration whilst in office." (DeGregorio 44) He continued his career in politics by being part of the Continental Congress of 1783-1784, the minister to France in 1785-1789, the Secretary of State to President George Washington in 1790-1793, and finally becoming Vice President in 1797-1801. After experiencing thirty-two years of political life, Jefferson finally becomes President of the United States in 1801.