American watchman and Delaware advertiser., 1826-02-21
From tie Baltimore .lmerican.

From tie baltimore american.
We have read with emotions Of deep concern the
following remarks in the last Richmond Whg, to-
gether with the proceedings of the Virginia Iegsla-
ture, to which they aude:-
".ur. J.ferson.-The reader will discover, 1--WE
are persuaded with more concern than SURPRISE J
that Mr.. Jefferson in the extremity of his age, is
reduced 10 the verge of insolvency, and that he has
thrown himself upon the justice of his country to
be allowed the privilege of obtaininga fair value for
his estates, by means of lottery. Leave has been
given to bring in bill for that purpose, and we
trust there is little or no doubt, but that this poor
BOOM to man who has done SO much for his coun-
try and the word will be granted by the state that
has received the richest fruits Of his immortal la
bors. Why, indeed, should il not be granted him ]?
When the gratitude of the state voted thousands
to Gen, Washington-whenl the gratitude of the
country has elevated the fortunes of Lafayette TO
princey standard, and is protecting every citizen
from want, who carried musket in the revolution
why should it be cold to the claims Of Mr.. Jeffer-
son the author the Declaration of independence,
and the great fountain of light which has conducted
the rights Of man to general respect, and our polit
cal institutions to their present perfection? Where
is the danger of this precedent The character and
services of the petitioner, render it almost impos-
sble that the precedent can be drawn into abuse !;
and happy would it be for the country, If applica-
tons founded upon such claims should become fire.
quent His character and his services, exclude the
operation OF the precedent-for precedent can
only be embraced by cases resting on similar cir
cumstances. Can it be therefore pretended that il
Mr.. Jefferson is authorised to dispose OF his estate
by lottery, it will bind future legislatures 10 extend
an ndiscriminate indulgence 10 all desiring sm-
lar favor!
As it relates to Mr.. Jefferson, the proposed Let
terry IS stripped OF one OF the objectionable features
OF lotteries. He does not desire to receive by it,
than the value of his estate estimated by dis
interested gentlemen. He has no view of specula
tion-and wishes only 10 relieve himself of debt,
and to preserve small share of his estate that he
may have home for the short remainder of his
life Such is our faith in him, that we do not be-
lleve he would ask, what his country ought not to
grant. Well understood as it is, that nothing could
induce him TO receive pecuniary compensation for
his incstmabie services, that he abhors The very
sound of " civil pension - apparent as it is, thai
this is the only favor that he has asked,
will ask OF his country, we trust that it will be grant.
ed him.
1t is melancholy consideration that two out Of
the four surviving presidents should, on their
return TO private life, after having received the
highest honors in the gift OF their country, be
brought to gray hairs, decreptitude and insolvency
We are prepared for some rebuffs from the Other
side OF the Auan'ic but we would caution these
gentlemen in advance to look at their own history
before they tax republics with ingrati,ude. Messrs.
Pitt and Fox, names as familiar in the mouths Of
England as their household Gods, were both insol
vents. Mr.. Burke declared that he would have
been added 10 the number, if it had not been for
The household economy of his wife. Mr.. Jefferson,
in the Of his existence, is deprived Of the con-
ISOLATION enjoyed by Mr. Burke in his last moments
that of tender and sympathizing partner. Such
men and all Of this class, make themselves so en-
tirely the property Of the public, that they never
think of their own domestic circumstances.