Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-12-09

powers or the means 50 indispeasab,y necessary,
to their execution-these, gentlemen. will plead
" trumpet tongued" against your principles. Every
thing admonishes Us OF your change, The blaze Of
power around you has dazzled your eyes, and f2.-
cinated your understanding.
You have once more brought up the name Of
Jefferson. You have ascIbej certain estes to Mr.
Jefferson, which the whole stream of his opinions
contradicts. He stated in one of his messages
that an amendment was necessary to give the pow
er over Roads and Canals. He uniformly dis
claimed the idea that the Cumberland Road gave
the least sanction to the general power. The
whole course Of his conversation and his cores
pondence exhibited his opposition to the assump-
ton Ut such power. 7'too days only before he
laid down the Office of President, the man who
traces these hasty lines distinctly recollects to have
heard him say in his own house, that the canal
from Lynhaven Bay. which had been requested by
resolution Of the General Assembly was very deaf
rable; but Congress had not the power TO make it.
Every remark, which fell from him during his re-
tirement was in harmony with the sentiment. He
was even indignant when the Cumberland Road
was wrested from its peculiar purpose into a
sanction tor the general grant.-One word more
and we have done. We lay before our readers,
the following correspondence. They will note
the date of Mr.. Jederson's lelier-January
last! Let the people read and ponder upon these
things!
3lst December. 1926.
DEAR SIR:
l scarcely know how to apologize for this in
trusion upon your retirement. After devoting so
large portion Of long life to the service of your
country; after having contributed more than any
other man TO the development OF the great princi-
pies OF civil and religious liberty; and retired from
the turmoils OF politics, and consecrated the even
Ing OF so evenful life to the promotion of litera-
ture and science, 1t would but the dictate Of
justice that you SHOULD be exempt from the further
cares of public affairs. No,hing but the most ex-
traordinary juncture could Justify a disregard Of
such strong claims to that repose which your
| years and your services require. But, my dear
| Sir, has not that juncture arrived! What, under
other circumstances, would be full exemption
from the claims of your fellow citizens, is now
the stronges, inducement they have 10 ask the
| assistance OF your kind counsel and advice Your
| iaenli'y WIN the commencement, the progress and
| the termination OF our Revolution, and with the
subsequent history of institutions, points YOU
1 ont as a safe counsellor to new generation Ours
Is a complicated system of government. It is a
| new experiment, upon the success of which the
| Liberties OF whole hemisphere depend. The i'm
portance OF preserving the Limitations of potper
| and the checks and balances in the system seems
to he lost sight OF by the administrators of the fed
erai government. The doctrine of the Ga General
| Welfare" is becoming fashionable. 1, is recon-
mended to the acquescence of the people under
lures OF individual and sectional advantages Rapid
strides are making towards the consolidation of al,
power in the hands of that government; and it is
feared that when that consolidation takes place. the
day will not be distant when the liberties of the
! people will be subver,ed.
You have the late Message of Mr. Adams
| the Report of the Secretary of the Treasury, and
am sure you have not overlooked the other signs
oil the times. Are they, they not, sufficient
to alafm the fears of the Republicans? And, at
such crisis, can you blame your countrymen for
| looking to you for advice? The liberties of our
| republic will be in danger from open vio-
lence. The people understand their rights too well
to surrender them to the usurper who claims or de-
mands them. Bat may they not be gradually un-
dermined, as were the liberties of all the Repub-
lies that have gone before us? The first innova>
| tons upon the rights of the people have always
been os,ensibly for their good, and in many in
stances, made with the best intentions. But one.
| precedent follows another until there remains no :
| thing for despotism to usurp
! II bad been fondly hoped that by the li,Eitn
fionS -of ,oritten Constitutions. these silent en-
croachments had Teen guarded agains; IN the Anne
rican Governments. But the love OF power is SO
strong that it resorts to the merest sublleties in
seeking its indulgence.
Your opinions upon all these subjects are we'll
known to the circle OF your private acquaintance
But submit it 10 your love of the constitutional
| nights OF the people; to your attachment to the
great principles OF our complex system, to say
whether In some form or other, you ought not to
contribute the aid Of your experience and reflection
in exPoundns the true doctrines of the Constitu-
ton. Although you have already done as much
as ever tell TO the lot of to do for his coun-
| try; yet the recollection of past services will
make the slightest addition to them doubIy &C
ceptable.
| You must have seen that your name has been
quoted as high authority for the power to make
roads. Only one explanation has been given of
the circumstances, under which you signed the
Cumberland Road Bill. But that is not known
/ by the public to have your sanction. Most of the
Republicans here, who give to Mr.. Adams
lukewarm support, profess TO think that you are in
favor OF all his splendid schemes. They agree with
the doctrines of 95, bat say they do not apply to
| the present questions
| feel, sir, that / have taken great liberty in
thus addressing you. The subject, however, is one
OF immense importance, and the relation in which
stand to the public, makes me more solicitous
than should perhaps be as an Individual beg
mat you may give to it the most serious considera-
ton. You could not leave to your country richer
| legacy than memoir the constit u,ional aues-
lions oil the day. If brief expression of your
| opinions could go 10 the world at present, in The
| shape OF a letter, it would be of great use TO the
cause. But the time, manner, &C. are all for your
| own detei minaon
j am, sc. &c.
THos. JEFFERSON, Esq.
Monticello.