Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-05-30

ne nad sworn 10 support 1t. lie was de-
sirous that ii should pass unimpaired into
the hands of his SUCCESSORS. He com.
Piled with the sacred trust and because he
did, he has become the Object Of vilitica.
ton. If Mr.. Jefferson had acted other.
wise, he had taksn upon himself the Of
nee OF military dictator, if he had forced
the energies OF the country into activity,
as his calumnialors seem 10 have wished,
then indeed he would have exposed him
self 10 the artillery of denunciation and
public vengeance. BY such conduct, even
admitting the eapediency, Mr.. Jefferson
would have fer ever forfeited the conf,
dence of his country. Would any re
publican, who knew that Mr.. Jefferson
had availed himself Of accidental circum
stances, To assume and exercise sovereign
or dictatoral power, ever again cohfldc
TO ham the execution OF other and similar
important duies!.
The articles OF accusation with which
Mr.. Jefferson has been arraigned, oaght
to add lustre 10 his character. His gene
raj conduct. his forbearance, his having
appointed popular leader for the forces,
all shew, that he made his individual feel
Ings yield to public interest. They prove,
that he richly deserved and honestly exc
cu,ed the public trust with which he had
been Invested.
Ii Mr.. Jefferson, when in the biootn OF
his HE, would not, though invited 20 i, by
the popular voice, and extrao, binary cr-
cumstances, assume uncons,itu,ion. pow
ers, may we not now expect that SINH
lar deposit may be more safely conlided
10 his age, his experience, and his judg
meut!
Bat let us return to gen. Nelson. I'm
mediately afer the appointment he tooE
the held. HIS head quarters were always
as near 10 The enemy as circumstances
would admit. He did not regard that ar
uc.e OF The constitution 10 which there has
been an allusion, but proceeded according
10 public cXigencies. AL this was then
deemed necessary and laudable, aud ever
since has been, not only justified, bu, APP
plauded. No man can question the mo.
ives of that revolutionary hero, or will
Pretend 10 say, that any thing was done
which the exigeBcy of the times did not
require. Virginia then wanted dicta-
tor, and general Nelson, without perhaps
intending it, assumed and exercised the
functions.
In Oet. 1891, the British armsy capi,u
lated. In November following the Var.
ginia assembly met at Richmond. Some
persons, who were dissatisfied with the
conduct of gen. Nelson, were not only
but threatened an impeach. |
ment. The patriotic veteran disdained
10 justify himself. He felta express
ed all that honest indignation, winch a |
sense of the services which he had rem. |
dered, could not fail to inspire. AT this
time Mr.. Jefferson appeared in Richmond,
both to meet the accusations against him |
self, and 10 discharge the functions Of !
member of the legislature, TO which he
had been elected.
1t was remarkable chat the same as |
sembiy, and at the same time, should !
have under lis consideration, complain. s |
against two governors for errors in their
during the short space oil
hive or six months. Mr.. Jefferson was
denounced, because he did not transcend
his powers. Gen. Nelson WAS denounc.
ed because he had done more than the
constitution authorised. Every body adj
mitted that every thing which gen. Mel.
son had done was necessary, and yet he
was blamed. At the same time the &C.
cusers of Mr.. Jefferson blamed him be.
cause he did not a6 as gen. Nelson had
done. 1t seems then tba, il was inpcssi.
bic 10 have given satisfaction. These
are strange contradictions.
Ii is not now recolleeted whether the
enquiry into the public conduGt of Mr.
Jefferson was demanded by himself, or
moved by another; nor is it material TO
be known. Suffice il 10 say, that The Sob
jecf cams before The House, and that Mr..
Jefferson appeared as his own vindicalor.
1t will be impossible for those who were
witnesses 10 the scene ever TO erase the
impressions from their memories. lie
rose in the House, not like one who was
conscious of having deserved blame or
censure, but with ecuntenance and de.
meanor which seemed 10 speak the con.
sciousBess OF MS own re6tltude. His al.
ti,ude, his eye, his manuer ell united TO
the audience. Nor were thew
disappointed. lie opened his yindicution
with mingled poriions OF manly firmncss
and modest dihidence, and i'm way which