The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1822-12-16
THOMAS JEFFERSON.
Fro1n (Hc ,Mzu Homhshire Pnfriof

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THOMAS JEFFERSON.
From fhe Wtzo Hamhshire Patriot.
The purity, the disimerestedness of
this iilustrious man, is perhaps unriyalled
DOLLY by the excellence of his maxims on
political economy. Posterity shall hail
him as the first on tie records of holy
patriotism, and second only to Washing
ton in the measure Of good he has done
to his country. If any confirmation were
wanting in this opinion, we have it strong
as "proof from holy writ" in the follow.
ing original letter from this distinguished
citizen to the earl of Buchan, published
in late number of Phillips's London
Monthly Magazine, and written eighteen
years ago, while the former presided o.
yer the deslirics of this government.
wAsHiNoroN, JULY 10, 1904.
My Lord-i received through the
hands Of Mr.. Lennox, on his return to
the United States, the valuable volume
you were SO good as to send me on the
lite and writings of Fletcher Of Saltoun.
The political principles of that patriot
were worthy the purest periods Of the
British constitution. They are those
which were in vigor at the epoch Of the
British emigration TO America. Our an
cestors brought them here, and they
needed little strengthening 10 make us
| what we are (; but, in the weakened con.
di,ioned of English whigism at this ciay,
it requires more firmness to publish and
advocate them, than it did to ACT on them
This merit is peculiarly your Iordship.s,
and no one honors il more than myself
admitting, at :he same time, the right of
nation 10 change its political principles
and constitution at will, aud the impro-
Priety OF any but its own citizens census
ring that change. expect your lord
ship has been disappointed, as acknow-
ledge | have been in the Issue of the con-
yulsioas on the other side of the channel.
This has certainly lessened the interest
which the philan,hropist warmly felt in
those struggles. Withou; befriending
human liberty, gigantic force has risen
up, which seems to threaten the world,
but it hangs on the thread OF opinion,
which may break from one day 10 ano
Their. l feel real anxiety ON the confiic,
in which your nation is now engaged; and
bless the Almighty Being, who, in pa.
ihering together the waters under the
heavens in one place, divided the dry
lands of your hemisphere from the dry
lands of ours, and said, shere at least lie,
there be peace hope that peace and
amity with all nations viii long be the
charter OF our land and that its prospe-
rI'y, under this charter, will re act on
the mind of Europe and profit her by
the example. My hope Of preserving
peace Tor our country is not founded on
the Quaker principle of non>aesistance
under every wrong, but in the belief. tina,
JUST and friendly conduct, on our par,
will procure justice and friendship from
others; and that in the existing contest,
each OF the combataDts will find an in.
terest in our friendship. cannot say
we shall be unconcerned spectators Of
the combat. We feel for human suffer
inss, and we wish the good of all. We |
shall Look on, therefore, with the seDsa.
lions which these dispositions, and the |
vents vi war will produce.
l Zee! a pride in the Justice which
your lordship,s sentiments render to the
Character Of my illus,rious countrymsD
Washington the moderation of his de-
sires, and the strength Of his Judgment,
enabled him to calculate correctly, that
the road 10 that glory which never dies,
is to use power for the support of the
laws and liberties Of our Country, not for
their destruction and his glory will &C.
oordingly survive the wreck Of every
thing now living.
Accept, my lord, the tribute Of es.
TEEN IRON one who renders it with
warmth to the disinterested friends Of
mankind, and assurances Of my very high
consideration and respect.
THOMAS JEFFERSON.