The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1826-07-03
DOMESTIC,
q kLLERY OF PORTRAITS.
No.


THOMAS JEFFERSON, Ii. D.
bonn in Chester field county, Virginia, A.
pri 9, i743.
He received the honors Of the COLLEGE
of William and Mary 1T an early agr, aud
WAS distinguished for great scholarship.
He then commenced ih- study of the law
with the late Grotgc Wythr, chancellor
of Virginia, and in Il few wears made great
proficiency, and was admitted IL practice
Ills uncommon qualifications soon brought
him into notice, and before he had reach
ed his twenty fifth year, he WAS conspic-
uoos ,nembrr of the Virginia legislature,
aud had subsequently a large share in all
those determined measures of that body
with regard IN Great Blltaia, which finally
led tn The call Of a general congress
In 1873, when the propositions of lord
North were laid before the assembly b,
the governor for their consideration, he
was unanimously appointed to answer
them. His reply on this occasion was not
only eloquent, but exhibits mind of lib
cral and enlarged ,iews.. A few DAYS af-
ter, he was elected delegate To The gen
'''' '''FS 80 " biAi iIdh 'hINtUtu
Philadelphia. in this enlightened assem
bly,, he had scarcely appeared before he
became conspicuous among those the most
distinguished by their abilities and palrI-
oirsm And while he pursued bod aud
undertaking course towards the great oh
Ject of Independence, was enabled b, his
example, rs we'll as by hi, arguments, to
encourage aud and confirm othe,s.
The declaration Of Independence is
justly attributed 10 his pen, the merits OF
Which IT /, unnrcessar, To canvass not
only America, but al Europe, too, has
long since decided IN Us claims To excel,
lence. The only alterations the original
draft of this celeb atrd production recpiv-
I'd IN the committee, were from DR..
Franklin and John Adams, each of whom
suggested a single verbal variation.
From the commencem' nj of the year
1771, 20 the middle of 1879, he was en-
gased with Pendleton aud Wythe, in ma
KING IA general rcvisal of the laws of Viz
ginid in witch he bore IA considerable
share, aud To whom Virginia is indebted
Tor the most important and beneficial
changes in her code.
The laws, forblddinS the future impor-
tatlon of slaves converting estates tail in
to fee simple annulling the rights of pri-
eral education /; sanctioniOs the right Of
expatlation [; confirming the right of
freedom OF religious opinions and for
proporioning crimes and punishments.
In 1879, he succeeded Patrick Henry
as governor of Virginia, AID was reap
pointed in the following year.
During the tnmult and confusion Of the
year 1881, he composed his celebrated
work, Notes on Virginia" TWAS writ
ten in reply 10 the queries proposed TO
him by Monsieur de Marbois, at the sug-
gestion of the French court.
aAbout the close nf the wear 1892. he
was appointed minister penipotenliary, to
Join those in Europe, who were 10 deter
mine on the conditions of a treaty oil
peace, which il was expected would soon
be entered into, But before he embarked
intelligence was received that prelimiaa-
rcs Of peace between the United States
and Great Britaln had been signed ac.
cordlng'y, congress dispensed with hin
Having America.
In the summer of 1872, he was in CON
gre-s, al the time the Virginia convention
were establishing their form of govern
ment He had been for some time cngag
ed on this subject, aud had prepared ;
constitution for the state, formed on ,ht
purest principles of repubranism, anc
which was probably the first draft of fun
damcntal constitution made by any man il
America.
This he transmitted to the convention
but IT did not reach them until the day
when the one that had been prepared by
the house was to have received its fna
vote. 1t was therefore set aside. adopting
only the preamble. On the establish