Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-07-14

nor had il been his intention, to say a word to the
meeting here assembled, upon the occasion of the
death of his early friend and patron, the illustrious
Thomas jefferson, as it had been understood that |
General Jones would bring forward the resolutions
which il was contemplated should be offered TO the
acceptance of the meeting, but as he had been al
luded to, and in manner called upon, connected
with the object Of the elections of all present, to
say something, he begged to be INDUCED in making
few remarks. He then reciied the circumslanc
attending the last illness of Mr.. Jefferson, and
among Others Observed that finding himself evident
~ going. he expressed his anxious desire that an
all-wse and good Providence would permit him TO
witness the arrival Of the tttieth anniversary of that
day which had been consecrated and rendered holy
wherever light and liberty prevailed on the earth,
by the declaration OF the subimest moral and poli
ical truths and that he might on that same day be
permitted TO breathe his last, and end his mortal ca
! reer, which he would do without sigh or regret.
That Providence had heard and granted his prayer;
that the day he so identity desired 10 see, he had
lived 10 see, with all his senses and recollec,ions
about hm-that he was now entombed, not only
in the EARTH but in the heart of every votary of
Liberty in every cline under the canopy Of Heaven;
that wherever liberty, science, the arts, virtue
and talents were to be found, the name OF Thomas
Jefferson would live. Little did he think, that at
the moment he Gov. b. was engaged, on the
great jubilee Anniversary, i'll pour,rayins his
vices aud his character, and in endeav orng 10 al
ieviate his distress, his immortal spirit had winged
Its way 10 its Giyer, and that he was then beyond
he reach alike of praise of pleasure, of distress.
Governor Barbour made many other observations,
which, as we had not an opportunity at the time oil
taking notes, we were unable 10 commit TO paper.
lie spoke for time in that strain OF eloquence
and feeling for which he is so remarkable, and ri
Vetted the attention, and excited The sensbi!i,y of
every member of the vas, concourse by which he
Was surrounded. lie concluded by expressing his
hope, that some one OF those highly gifted men, in
iervid and resisess eoquence, for which our coun-
try was SO remarkable, should be selected to pro-
nounce the euiogy, and to do justice the memory,
the services, and the talents of the iuslrious man
who was the subject OF the present consultation, and
| moved that the blank in Gen. Jones' second reso-
luton be filed with the name OF William, ITTrt
who, he doubted not, would freely undertake the
| mournul task, and discharge it in a manner wor-
thy OF himself, and Of his fellow -citizcns of the
metropolis.
The question was put On the resolutions sepa-
ratey, and they were adopted without dissenting
voice.
then submitted the following additional reAo!u
tons -
i. Resolved, That, as testimony OF their grati
| ;ude and respect TO the memory of an individual
! 30 distinguished for virtues, patriotism and public
services; and especially for he fostering aid and
protection he extended 10 their infant Metropolis
while President OF the United States, the citizens
ot w ashington will abstain from their respective
enployments for one day, and unite in sach ar
engagements may he adopted, to manifest their
respect 10 the memory of the illus,Iious deceased
D. Resolved, That cit zen fiom each Ward, 10
be appointed BY the Mayor, SHALL in coniuc,on with
hlrn, be a committee to make such arrangements as
they may think most eXpedient and proper 10 eyince
the venefa,ion in which the citizens OF Washington
lnl fba ~ -, !.
the naion's gratitude.
MIR. Rush said lie rose for the purpose OF second
ing the resolutions offered by citizen of W ashing-
ton, and not for The purpose of presenting himself
to the meeting in any lengthy remarks; but as he
was upon his ieet, and his feelings prompted HIM
TO so, he begged TO be INDUCED in making few
observations lie thought the resolutions were
peculiarly appropriate as there was singular coin
cidence of thought and expression between them
and tie letter OF Mr. Jefferson, written in answer
20 an invitation given him by the citizens of Wash
lnSion, to BE- present as guest at their celebra-
ton OF the Jubilee Ami sersary of the Inlerea-
dence OF their country. That an extraordina-
~ letter. Is citizen of Washington, land he
declared himself one) he felt his bosom swell with
honest pride At the declarations it contained and
ne doubted that an individual could be found who
bad not eoiced in seeing in prini as it published
10 the world the intimate and delightful socisl con-
tween them and the great man no more. That
letter characteristic Of lis writer-in il was
seen he ruling passion of his soul his love of Ii.
berry, strong on the verge of the grave, strong
even in death lie then, probably for the last time
spoke OF the rights OF man, and seemed TO offer UP
his ardent aspirations for the speedy and total ex
tincjion Of tyranny in whatever garb 10 be found or
under whatever form it might assume-in it was
also most conspicuously TO be seen, the native
goodness of his heart; he spoke of the qualification
he would derive in once more meeting with and
enjoying the society OF his ancient neghbors OF the
District, and seemed 10 regard the more his bodily
infirnIies because they deprived him OF the ability
OF gratifying his wishes. lie expressed his graft
tude III glowing and feeling terms for what he .yas
pleased 10 consider the many acts of kindness and
affection, which he said he had experienced al their
hands during bis long residence among therl-tla,
his social intercourse, and these acts of kindness
had been the most pleasing relief he had eOoyed
from the cares and eeaseless snXeies of his high
and official duties. He believed that Mr. Jefferson
had resided in no one place since the commence
ment oil his eyenifui political life a. long as he had
IN Washington, except his own favoriie and beau
tiful Monticello; and i, now appeared from under
his own hand, that after The lapse of upwards of
seventeen years, he entertained vivid recollection
OF, and looked back with pleasure upon, that resi-
dence, as having been distinguished by acts of
friendship and social intercourse, the recollection
oi which it pleasing TO recall TO his memory.
The sentiments of that letter were certainly Ielt and
entertained by lis writer for theie was no necessi-
~ alter such lapse oil time, OF committing them
10 record If they had not been really entertained
Mr.. Jefferson seemed to rejoice that 20 fttiog an
occasion had presented itself OF doing so. and in.
dited them with heart full Of love. II was let
ter which ought to be read and read again by eyery
citizen of Washington. Ii was doubtless The last
he ever wrote and It was certainly the least re-