Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1805-10-26
From the VIkerSrA- GAZETTE.
"A REAL DEFENCE
OF

Againstthe injurious SANDERS of late pre-
tenedsG vindicasion Of him, addressed &c
the Editor of the ENQUIRER:
mr.. Ritcbie,
| OBSER IN your paper which
/ have taken and often pernsed with consi.
derzble pleasure, from it commence ment
several publications entitled " A Vindica.
riou of Mr. Jefferson which vindlcation
as yet mas been confined to his conduct, as
Gov of Virginia. Icwas not my wish to
have meddled with this stale&naeknied sub.
ject; but finding that some slight reference
is had to my name on this subject, among
many others, aud observing the general
conclusions intended lobe drawn from the
narrative given; think it right, as one
among perhaps but few competent witness.
es left on the particular subject of these
publications, as far as they have thus gone,
TO set you right in some leading particu-
lars
Although SIR, + differ from Mr.. Jefferson
very materially, believe in political sen.
timent, and approve as little the means en-.
ployedro attain TO his present situation. as
do of nsost ofhis acts, already exhibited
10 II; yet / would not Intentionally do him
or any other man private or public inju-
ry- | never will permit any political zeal
or attachment TO any cause or party, TO dis
grace my character as an honest aud caudld
man; but | never can on the other hand,
willingly see in silence, an i'm spsition on an
important subject 10 which am with o.
theirs deeply interested, and on which
think, possess some considerable and po-
sltlve knowledge.
With respect the facts stated in these
publications, believed may say, they are
substantially, though not altogether minute
~ true. As an immediate actor In most
ofthose irving scenes, however, can net
taer. correct, substract nor add, a single arti-
Gle to the detail. as far ar least as nv own
personal knowledge goes, without following
the example of others, n becoming too
much the hero OF my owu story, which l
wish all at times to avoid. The self comPos-
ed accounts OF our own feats. or the Farts
that we have acted IN great and ccnspi-
cuons public affairs, are only proof OF
the vast efreal kno1vn merit, in those at.
perarogatlon, if not of great arrogance &
want of the merit ofmodestg, in those whose
merits in those general affairs, are o.
therwise sufficiently conspicuous. How
the writer of this vindication, became pos
sessed of some of the facts related in his
history, which could only possibly be known
BY their actor, I leave to the strength OF
his own powers as an allocate or stndica-
tor or 10 the dehcacy and modesty, the
real merits of his iaformer to eaPIasn!-
One thing however / must suggest to
him on the nsture of the proofs he has adj.
daced, in some particular instances on
this sirbiecl.-f mean the self-narratlng
certificates, of some of those self impor-
tam characters, VINO to bring in vlewthe
very dininuylye, and before entirely un
kaown parts, THEY acted IN those affairs,
have made the object Of the vindlcation OF
their certificates, mere secondary or me
fcrior consideration. will here suggest
another important consideration, which
will occur TO every rejecting person, who
viii bestow the slightest portion OF that re-
Election on the nature of this,>mneh relied
uaan certificate testimony. What must be
shaoght of tha, great and important civil,
much less than military character or chief
In the creates, national or warllke move
ments, whose public fame IN those great at
fairs depends on the naere certificates OF IN
ferior and subordinate characters an those
affairs for their prop! characters who to say
nomore of them, confined TO mere local g
interior SITUATIONS, and some not possessing
any public stations at all, could only have a
very contracted and imperfect view,ot such
general transactions! Let the writer OF
this vindication, review these certificates
and the names subscribed to them, and re-
Aect thar however respectable these charac.