The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-03-17
TO THOMAS JEFFERSON.

THE Citizens of Washington cannot
foregotne last opportunity which may, per-
haps, ever occur to hid you a respectful and
adectionate farewell. AS members of the
great and furnishing nation. over which you
have so illustriously presided, your virtues,
talents, and services Cou sland their esteem,
admiration and gratitude. Embarked in the
fate of this solitary republic OF the world,
they have, in common with their fellow CT
tizens, rejoiced III lis prosperous and sym
pathised in it's adverse fortunes, as involving
every thing dear to freemen. They have
marked with cxultation, the firm column of
its glory, laid on imperishable foundations,
rising as a monument Of the reign Of prir.ci-
pie in this quarter of the globe. To you
they have been instructed to ascribe the me-
morable act, which, by declaring q gallant
people free and Independent, in a tone that
appalled, tyranny, instilled those sentiments
and principles which, inspiring every virtue
and urging every sacrifice, led them to tri-
umph and empire.
We lave since beheld you, with parental
solicitude, and with a vigilance that never
sleeps, watching over the fairest offspring of
liberty, and by your unremitted labours in
unfolding, explaining and indicating our
system OF government, rendering it the cb-
Ject Of love at home and respect abroad.
1t would be a pleasing task for us, as citi-
Zens eF the United States, to fill up and ex-
send the Outlines we have sketched. But it
Is, rs citizens of the Aatiopal metropolis, that
wenow appear before you. In addition to
every patriotic feeling that can warm our
breasts, we have still further inducements
TO open our hearts to you Oh this proud, yet
painful occasion.
The world knows 700 as a philosopher
and philantilropist the American people
know you as a patriot and statesman we
know yCu, IN addition 20 all this, as a man.
And, however your talents have extorted our
respect, there is not one among us, whose
pre- DOMINANT feeling at this moment is not
thai OF affection for the mild and endcarine
virtues, that have made every one here your
friend, and you his. W. should be lost to
gratitude, did VIC not acknowledge that it is
TO you we owe much, very much OF tina. hal.
mony of intercourse and tolerance ,of OPT
mon, which characterize our state Of socie-
ty-os that Improvement which, amidst I'M
Propitions circumstances, has progressed
With sure and steady steps, and, above all,
of that spirit of euterprize, which your be-
nehcence and liberality have invariably. aid
ed, and which promises in a few years to
render this place the fairest seat of wealth
and science.
Deeply as We feel your retirement, we ap
prove, nay applaud it. Personal considera-
tiuls dSiGe, IL was 10 be expected from the
friend and protector Of republican institute
ons,tnat he would follow, and by his co-opc-
ration strengthen the example of the Illus
trious hero OF the,r revolution.
= May you'll the retirement to which vol,
&C., be happy as your fellow citizens win
still look towards YOU with interest. and pray
for yoor felicity, So will you find it impossi-
bic tn lose sight of the ardu0us scenes thro'
which we have passed, as well as those in
stc1e fer our county. Your heart viii, still
beat with patriotism, and the energies of your
mind continue tobe engaged Gin national OBJ
Jects. In your retreat, may every anxious
thoug,t be softened by the mild and tender
occnPh'ion5 Of private lifci Happy, thrice
HAPPY retreat! Where patriotism and phi
Iosoply, friendship and affection, win ami
mate, dtrect & scftcn the purest feelings of the
heart With Il gratefui nation. wcl,rav that
you NAY be happy, AID If the just Being that
presiccs over the universe, insure to you bot
a pmtsg If that felicity you have conferred
On others, our prayers WILDE fulfilled
ROBERT Pj;Et,T, Chairman.
NICHOLAS %iNG, Sccretarv.