Berkeley and Jefferson intelligencer. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va.) 1802-1810, 1803-05-06
NuMBER IL.


- s. NUMBER III. --.. < =
In complying, fellow-citizens, with
the promise | have made in my last num-
Der, i viii be necessary to enter into an
examination Of some measures or the ex-
listing administration; as il is partly from
these and partly from charges which eifec,
Mr.. JefersonS reputation rs a moral
man, that have been compelled to alter
my opinion of him.--L advocated Mr..
Iefersol, upon three grounds Ist,
Because believed him to be genuine
t Republican, and virtuous man IDLY,
Because was firmly persuaded he was
friendly to our constitution and Sdly,
Because felt assured that in his dis
chargeIof the Presidential functions, he
would be governed by the unerring max
inns Of truth and justice. No views of
a privSte nature made me embark in his
cause! / sought no of6ce~-I wished no
promotion. Secluded ina great degree
from the hustle Of society, my. chief I
may say, my only happiness centred in
retirement Ambition was dead in me.
Twas therefore Igrati6ed At Mr.. Jeffer-
sons election, only so far as ! conceived
our interests in a general point of view
would be advanced by that event. Ideem
those predatory remarks necessary, be-
cause II Democrat hecomesa Federalist,
he is Immediately considered by hi. for
lmer brethren as disappointed character;
as a man who expected an Office, but
whose merits were not sufficiently great
to entitle him to executive patronage. /
will now enter into the proposed inxesti-
CATION; and in order that it may be attend
ed with some advantage It viii be necessa-
~ to go back to the period Of Mr.. Jeffer-
sons election, to take retrospective
view ofthe public mind at that crisis, and
then to examine how far HIS subsequent
conduct has comported with the promises
and professions Of his inaugural Speech.
However great the division may have
been among us, at the period of Mr.. Jef.
ferson's election, however one party
might have idolized and the other abhor-
ed him; yet since he had been eonstituti-,
onally elected to the FIRST Office In our go,
the federalists acquiesced in
the decision, and hoped but vainly hoped
indeed, that the opinion they entertained
Of his character might be fallacious; I,
NV countrymen, was one Of those who
INDUCED in that hope; with the fullest
that it would be realized. The
sincere and openly avowed advocate Of
Mr.. Jefferson. I consi lered him a the
very person pointed out by the finger Of
heaven itselfto assuage the violence Of
party; to heal those wounds which had
too long bled ! and to restore to oaEeon-.
stitution its natural vigors Such were 1
my hopes and expectations and they
were greatly cchefished indeed, by Mr..
Ieaerson's Speech on'the day of his imam.
g,lration. There was a&fne display Of
every virtue that can enoble the human
heart here we were told that however
we might differ in sentiment, in princi-
pie. we were the same, that We are al
RePnbIicntss al Federalists; that to the
constitution we arc all equally attached,
andto support that constitution we would
m equally lend our aid. Wewere assur-
ed moreover, that the tranquility offede-
ralis.s should not be disturbed; that par
~ spirit should cease tosexist; and that
once more we might exultingiy exclaim,
1--WE are happy!' How pleasing this por-
trait picture; how Aattering these promis-
es! To me; to the enthusiastic admirer
ofMr.J sHerson' scharacterthey conveyed