Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-07-18
THE LIFE OF WASHINGT N.

"S hTsl VOiume or the Lie of Wash
inSton, which has been long and anxious.
~ expected, is before the public. By the
oequest OF the generals papers to his ne
phew, Judge Washington, provision was
made Tor the execution OF this work, from
the pnrest materials and The commission
OF Inc documents to able hands, ensured
III pubic consideration, the production ct
ply.
Chief Justice Marshall has presented
volume oil digestcd national history, as
introductory to the Life of Washington,
or his principal work. Ills reasons for go
dong are, that the history of general
washington during his military command
and civil administration is so much tia, Of
Ills country, that the work would be in.
complete and unsatisfactory while uuac.
cotnpanlcd by such narrative Of the prin
ciPai events preceding our revolutionary
war, as would make the reader acquainted
with the genius, character and resources
Oh inc people about to engage in that me-
moraoie contest" The want OF complete
materials Tor this general history is stated
as an apology for the Imperfect execution
OF the volume; and the difficulties expe.
rienced in forming this compilation are
canaidiy and clearly exhibited by the au-
thor III his pretace.-rhe volume COM
menccs with the first colonial establish.
ments IN the country, and closes with the
peace of 1865.
me propriety Of thus Introducing the
Lille OF Washington is conceived to admit
OF little doubt. The situation of the bio.
gr,apheris novel and peculiar. His under
taxing is 10 write the life of man, most
distinguished in his nation, which nation
mad before found no complete historian OF
rs rise and progress Its, moreover, the
HE OF a man, whose history il, for that De.
ROD OF time in which he lived aud aEed,
the history OF his nsticn.--Sound iudc-
| ment will It once decide that a fair expo
s'tion and understanding of the imnedi-
ATE subject matter, are muck dependent
on clear views Of The character, circun
stances and situation OF that pcoDIc. with
whose history Washingtou's is so closely
inter"oven' With great propriety, then
has the author presented a digest of nati-
, onal history, calcula,edto give these views
and to furnish the means ofundcrstandiDc-
the genius and resources of that peoplc,
whom Washington led to Independence.
he volume is valuable, more padicu-
larly with reference to the immediate Oh,
less OF the publisher, the work which is Co
follow "A composition which shall pre-
SENT in one connected view, the transact
ons OF all those colonies, which nov form
the United States" Mr.. Marshall Justly
declares to be a desidcratltv,. The. mate.
ridls for the complete execution Of such 2
work are considered as of doubtful exist
eDc"; and IT they exist, are declared to be
beyond attainment. for the present pur-
pose Partial details and scanty portions
OF the histories Of individual states are the
sources, from whence the historian is com.
PEELED TO draw; aud his work, from this
circumstance, is removed from severity Of
criticism, if it be not found entire in the
narrative and perfect in the method and
connection. There IS much to interest in
the history Of Our first settlements and
primitive manners; and copious instruoii.
or may be drawn from view OF the syi.
rit and principles which marked aud 90
verncd our yenerated ancestry.
Verbal criticism is not within the scone
Of The present notice. Mr.. Marshall, with
iDdisputable justice remarks, that" for any
inattention TO composition an apology
ought never To- BE- necessary:" Further,
that"a work of any importance ought nc.
yer to be submitted 70 Tie public until it