Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-09-01


collected individuals not only worthy Of the blood Of the
martyrs from which they had spruDg but whose wisdom
ana 'oh'ude, whose virtue and eloqueucc would have
snea lsre on the brightest days of Greece Rome
90 uuc Is H. that great occasions produce the talents
equal TO their exgenccs; rather SO true is it. NV
oounrynen that the all bounteous Ruler os the Uni
verse whenever he purposes exalt nation calls forth
the faculties of his intellectual creatures in
dence with the great design
In 'his august assembly, Adams and Jefferson we're
"o"sS. ,he most conspicuous They the re-
specl'Ve delegates of the two Provinces at that time
e'e MOST important IN tho ConederaCy and the most
forward and resoue in the assertion of their ripbs
Hand IN hand they had approached the contests and hand
'"u anu IN the foremost rank, appeared their cio-
sen sons. worthy and fit 10 represent them The. one
descended from intrepid sufferers for conscience salsc
e other sprung from gayer and chvaric race of bold
adventures for fame and freedom. Both were in .stbe
prime and viSour of their manhood and each was dis
t'nguished Tor natural endowmeuts we'll as for ex-
tensVe requirements; for strength of understandings
sohuy OF Judgment irnness of principle, lberality of
sentiment and recttude of intention and of conduct
hey uet on nigh, but equal ground and seem 10 have
been drawn together by sympathy of character as we'll
as oil opinions. They were members of the same pro
lesion and had pursued it in that liberal and honoura
ole sp'r by winch the study and practice Of the law
tend 10 enlarge the capacity of the mind as well as In
sharpen and invgorate its faculties. From pnnople
both were nilexbe, devoted patriots by intuition if
not by education, statesmen. The one was an orator
the other philosopher aud If Adams had attained more
celebrity for eloquence Jefferson was more highly es
tmated for the written productions of lis genius If
the former possessed greater practical knowledge of
affairs, The latter richer in the resources of specu
lavc wisdo and whatsoever quality or ACQUISITION
peared deficient in the one, be found in the cha
racter or talents of the Other; that bctw cen them they
combined ~ requisite which, al tie impending cr
SIS could render their services useful ncstmable
to their country.
And most auspiciously those services united on
Ia' monentoas occasion, when Congress- having drawn
the sword determined TO throw away the scabbard and
were about 10 resolve that "the United Colonies were
land OF right ought TO be- free and independent States
Then IT was that Jefferson aud Adams were associated
WIN Franklin, Sherman and Livingston, to prepare n
solemn declaration, announcing and ust,fyns, that de
termination 10 the world. The former were depu-
TED oy their colleagues TO perform the office; and an
amcabe contest ensned between tiem i'm which they
pressed upon each other the honorable task of draw
ing mp the document. Adams finally prey allied: and
mus the duty OF composing it devolrcd on Jefferson
never was public trust more ably satisfactorily
performed he declaration thus produced established
the lasting fame of its author as scholar statesman
aud patriot: for lis principles and enlieh
eneh; ITS statements forcibe and clear its style ANNA
leu, nervous and nPIessve lis calm Identified End
iirm and above ALL it responded in lang and senti
'nent to The voice and feelings of the nation As a
pubic measure, lis immediate effects were decisive
and fs beneficial consequences are not Jet to be est
mated. IL dIsarmed the treacberous; rallied the
faithful and the bold; ragged the tiInd confirm
CD the dubious; and pledged the lives and fortunes
and the sacred honour of The people, as well as of their
representatives, to maintain the rights and PRINCIPLES il
had asserted IL secured our freedom; and offered
TO The oppressed of other nations and of other times an
example, as well as precepts, which will be lost
on Them 1t gave the first impulse to the prot acted
struggle for liberty in France lis spirit cuce ANNA
ted the patriots of Spain; and will awaken them again
IL still lives IN their descendants orr southern contS
nent, and cheers The last lingering hopes of Greece;
and Will yet revive them Yes fellow conntrv,ncn, the
principles proclaimed in the Declaration of American
Independence have not only produced their fruits
Tins wide continent, and been disseminated the wastes
Europe; but before the revolution of another biIee
they will take root and flourish every soil and climate
under heaven! The march of Light, of Know ledge
and OF Truth, IS irresistible, and Freedom follows in
their train. Well, them did your Adams at the time
predict the rising glo5cs Of the day issued and
did your Jefferson, his bed of DEATH pray but TO
witness once more It's recurrence, and with his latest
sgh' breathe forth his gratitude for tho unexanpea
blessing!
Such, fellow citizens, is the imperfect sketcl, t,e
occasion PERMITS OF the connected services of Jefferson
and Adams al the era of Independence and such the
transient view that time allows of the effects and pro-
mise of their Joint exertions Although afterwards
transferred to different scenes, their separate efforts
were IN proportion honorable TO themselves ndiyd-
ais auVanlageous TO their country, and important 10
mankind For the residue of the war, Adams was en-
poyed as the representative of the infant Republic AT
various European courts in negotiating loans provide
susenance for ITS armies, and i'll forming alliances TO
/ AID The cause III which they were engaged. In both
these objects lie was sUcccssfui his abors in
teTrnted until he had operated in CONCLUDING HAT
treaty by which The independence of this country was
iipaiiy acknowledged by Great Britain; and The two
nations, who had been declared 'enernies in wars had
/ Gin peace" become "friends.n
During this interval, jefferson had returned to lis
native state; and after having been engaged bv ublic
authority, IN revising and digesng its laws and con-
forming their provisions TO the liberal spirit Of the ne
government he was, at most critical period, elected
ITS chief magistrate Having successfully co operated
with our national friends and late national guest La
ayete, IN delivering his state from INVASION lie return
ed at the expiration OF his executive ONCE once more
to IFS Legislature; and devoted what leisure the inter
mission of his public duties allowed him. TO the como.
siioD Of his "Noes on VirriniaD that work nm which,
i'm nd IL,
founded IL was not long, however, before lie was
again delegated TO the Continental Congress, and that
body, with IFS characteristic dscernnent soon resolved
to engage the talents Of Jefferson well as of Adams
~ the diplomatic service Of their country BY another
of those remarkable condolences which have distin.
guished their public lives, both named in the com
mission 10 negotiate the peace with Great Britain and
Jefferson only prevented by an accidental deten-
ton, from uniting with Adams in The signature Of the
treaty. They were, however, subsequently joined in
arranging terms OF commercial intercourse With the
nj