Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-12-20
: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20.
Foa THE ALEXANDRIA iDAILy GAZETTE.
THE HISTORY OF. OUR OWN
TIMES.
cHAP1ER I.

In commencing my history, s'lail nv
go back to the time when Jefferson was IN
the meridian Of his glory. begin when his
sun Of popularity was sestlng-at time S
when he would with all his projects, have
been buried in everlasting disgrace, IT nc
had not possessed superior cunning.
It.wiIl be recollsc,ed that sometime IN
August, in the year 1909, New England
then groaning under one of Jefferson's ex'
reriment., rose m its strength, and like
slant waking from sleep, at one mighty Ell
fort shook off the chains, which had tor ma
nv years, bound her to the earth.
jefferson had longrerceivcd the dlssa isiac-
ton Of the people at his BonaPartean policy.
He found that the tide of popularity was
setting against him; and that should ne at
tempt to stem it, he would be oyerwheim-
ed. He therefore concluded to give up his
popularity, that ne might retain ms power
lie had therefore glavely given cut, that
the wearied faculties of age could no
longer sustain the burden of government.'
And though one would have Judged fro m
the addresses sent to him from the different
parts of the country, that his leaving the
seat of government would be as disastrous
10 mankind, as if the sun should Withdraw
his heatsroai the earth, yet he was deter
mined TO retire. This was thought to be a
vesy magnanirnous proceeding. a man yo.
srla-..---rg as-
almost a novelty in this wicked world. But
one instance of the kind ever occurred
WASHINGTON retired from power volunta-
tiIv. But, Iheg the readers pardon tor men
q oning his name here acknowledge that
1t oug ht not to be mentioned IN the sans :,
tay with that of Jefferson. But this great,
good, unassun,ing philosopher, had no idea
Of resigning his power, and his influence in
--.t,e natioaal councils. His retirement was
deception, like almost every other move
: nent of his life, to mask his real designs
He still meant torule the destinies of the
nation. In order to ensure continuation
Of his power, he had already nominated Ma
olson for his successor. This nomination
] looming precedent which will some future
day overthrow the Federal Governments,
was decidedly opposed by the New England
people. But a discussion fthe subject of
tie ncas:rasicn is not now my business.
The Fed-raiists beganto feeltheir strength,
land the oppressiens of the tsrrapin system
svere such. shas ,hey were fairly forced to
useit. They used il to such purpose, that
VIII the NIusiroe and Clinton interest, if
I they should all ayr &C, it was doubtful whe-
,sher Madison would ascend the Presidential
throne. Indeed SO strong was the Federal
interes. 81 SO tormidablewere the Munroites
and Chnsonians, that had they joined their
strength, Madison would have yet been
Secretary Of State, or perhaps in more pro-
per situation, at his seat in Orange County
& Virginia The United States would not
have then bean cursed with another four
years of French tyranny.
The Federalists were determined on
change; in fact ii had become absolutely ne
5 cessary-the New England people could no
longer subsist under the restrictions of the
JcAersonian policy. The leaders of the
Federalists would have preferred change
ofmsa, but would have been satisfied With
change of measures. twas thought that