The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-10-24
Ibe Gnqulrer.
RICHMOND. OCTOBER "a, 1903.
TRIBUTE OF PUBLIC RESPECT.

concerns-a meeting of the Citizens was Cal
led to testify their respect by public adj
dress.
IL is evident, that addresses to such men
as Mr.. Jefferson are not liable to those OBJ
Jections, which apply to similar manifesto
lions to men in hoyver. They do not CON
sumo the time, which ought to be devoted to
on subjects, HIGH are blended
with pending negotiations And they are
more SAFE and breathe less the air oEuduia-
zion. than when they are addressed to men,
who have not yet hdssed the ordeal of pow
err, and who are still armed with all the al
lurements of patronage.
The following is the official account of the
proceedings of this meeting
On Friday last the Citizens Of Richmond
having been informed in the morning, that
THOMAS JEFFERSON our late llustrious
President, had arrived in town the prece-
ding evening, meeting was held at the
Capitol;
Or. WILLIAM FossHEs, Senr. President,
WILLIAM MuNFoRp, Secretary.
Thcfollowing Resolutions were unanimous
ly adopted: ;
ResofUed, That this meeting are penetra-
ted with the highest respect and admiration
Tor the exalted character, as we'll as the
sincerest gratitude for the distinguished SER
vices of THOMAS JEFFERSON late Pre-
sident of the u. S. -
RESOLVED, That Committee be appointed
to prepare and forthwith to report to this
meeting an address to MR. JEFFERSON,
who is now in this city, oppressive of the
sentiments contained in the foregoing Reso-
luton. .F
Philip .Nor6ornc Nicholas, William, Jpir.r,
Andrezo Stevenson, Thomas Richie, JpiAi-
am Robertson, Peyton Randolph and HiHi-
am H. Hare were appointed Committee
fer that purpose. and accordingly reported
the following .dddress, which was unani-
mously approved, and directed to be traus-
mitted to Mr.. JEFFERSON by the President
OF the meeting:-
TO THOMAS JEFFERSON, ESQ.
Late President Of the United States.
SIR,
A Number of the citizens of Richmond.
being informed OF your arrival in this City,
have assembled to testify their respect, and
to welcome you to the Metropolis of your
native state. ~, -
Deeply impressed with conviction of Ii =
Important and distinguished services which
You have rendered to your country, this meet
Ing would deem itself as deficient in princi
pie as in gratitude, were it not to avail itself
OF this occasion to give expression to its
sentiments. In reviewing the incidents of
Jour political life, this meeting sees its whole
course marked with wisdom. with patriotism
and an ardent zeal in defence of the liberties
OF the people. AT the dawn of the Reyolu
ton we behold you i'll the public councils one
OF the earliest and ablest asserters of the
rights OF your Country, and one u the firmest
and most undauntcd opposers of the tyranny
oy winch she was assaiied. From your pen
proceeded that mastery and Incompatible
exposition and Declaration of the rights of
independent America, which is Justly regar
ded as the magma charta of the U. S. which
every good citizen must revere as sacred,
and which he will hazard his life to preserve
inviolate. From the Congress of the u. S
you were translated to foreign court, where
you labored successfully to interest foreign
nations in the welfare of your then infant
country, which contributed to give confidence
to her efforts and permanence to that indie
pendence which you had assisted to establish.
Amidst the splendors of court, you never
ceased to cherish that ardent attachment to
human rights by which you have ever been
distinguished, and you brought back that
same republican purity of character, which
was worthy OF the struggle for liberty i'm
which you were so important an actor. On
| your return to your native country, you filled
several high Offices under the federal Con
stitutlon, with no less honor to yourself than
utility to The public; until you were called
on to preside over the affairs Of the America
! people. he events of your administration.
nave passed recently before our eyes. We
approved OF your measures, at the moment
when they were adopted, and time and re
hectlon have but served to Confirm our orr
| ginal opinions. History will record that
administration as characterised by Gconomv
III the management of the public RESOURCES
the diminution of patronage, the abolition OF
useless Offices, steady and successful efforts
to discharge the public debt, an impartial
and wise conduct to foreign nations, a solci-
tude to maintain peace with all the world on
honorable terms, and above all by scrupu-
ious observance OF the provisions of the Con
| stltution OF the United States, and an arden,
attachment and respect for the rights of the
| people.
The well earned glory, which you acquired
by managing the public concerns OH the pri.
ciples which have been stated, could oplv
receive additional lustre, from your volunta.
iry and dislnterested REIMBURSEMENT of the
highest Office in the union, that YOU mich,
thus illustrate by your practice, the sacred
principles, for which you lave always been
the advocate.
But, Sir, we enjoy heartfelt consolation
Tor the loss OF your services, in the acuuisi-
tlon OF a successor, the friend and the asso-
| clate OF your labors. whose principles and
whose views are Concurrent with your own.
and who will not fail TO exhibit he same
importantly towards foreign nations. the
same disposition to meet them ON ,er,,s 81