Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-02-15

tion.-And if it had, I would simply remark,
that Lotteries rest precisely upon the principle
of assurances, whether of ships, houses, lives,
bad debts, and all others, with this single dis
tincton-tha the Lottery is more liable to run
into abuse; and il is for this reason alone, that
the Legislature have taken the subject under
their own special regulation. The Lottery is
upouestionably useful, restrained within pro-
per bounds And when funds are required tor
any bene olent or de sirable object for which a
direct tax Cannot he resored TO, the pubic au-
thority restraining it may grant The privilege
under particular circumstances, claiming In
diligence w'thom danger Of abuse. This mode
of selling was formerly often resorted to, and IN
case familiar to us all Chat of Col Byrd.) il
had the saIurary effect of making his estate com
petent to the payment Of his debts and OF salS'
| flying his creditors, large portion OF whom
must otherwise have remained unpaid. i he
estate Of Mr.. Jefferson Is OF such description,
that purchaser could not be obtained, except
at most depIorable sacrifice; but by the aid
OF a lottery, inducing many, and he willing on
| ~, to venture the small risk OF ticket, his
debts would be discharged, and probably com
potency be left for his family.
| Let no one imagine, sir, that this is claim
set up in behalf Of man, as the leader oil par
ty. The relief proposed by the measure IN
question, ] view as an act OF but sheer justice
| from the Legislature, as granting but small
measure. of what is due from Virginia TO THIS
her devoted and ilustrious son. scorn upon
this occasion, all motive or purpose, distracted
from the naked Justice Of the case. Is he then,
| from his character and present situation, emit
tied to tina, degree Of consideration to- justify
the Legislature in permitting him to use this
privilege? ! do not address myself, Sir TO
men Of this or of tina, political denomination,
but TO all when | say, that as well during the
period of British DONNA ton in this land as
since the auSpicions birth of our liberty, Vir-
ginia is mainly indebted to Thomas Jefferson
for all that W. hold most valuable in her gov
eminent, her laws, her institutions. He came
into the public service at die dawn of manhood,
and from that moment down TO the present,
through all the trying scenes OF our country
embrac ing the revolu,on--he has been enga-
ged in labors most montntous and OF the deep
est interest to US and all succeeding generations
Thar the men with whom he was associated at
the most eventual era OF our history were OF
the first order, Is most true; yet we well know
TO him they all looked up as the leader in the
great work of decentralization the mastermind
to guide them in realizing TO this people the
substantial blessings Of free government; and
upon him, sir, Gevolved the vast responsibility
the bcnrficenl trust of framing those Statutes
which occnpy the front of our present Code,
inperishabc monuments of genius and wisdom
and devotion to equal rights. 1t is my dcvout
and earnest prayer, that Virginia will not turn
her back upon him in his old age, but that she
will shew at least, as far as this poor boon Can
shew, that .ie has not forgotten what he has
done for her.