The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1826-07-03

plenlpu1PulIdfy commissions Tor TIE cOu-
clndipg trsalIrs of commerce, were given
To Thomas jefferson, DIR. Franklin, and
john Adams, addressed to the several
powers OF Europe, and he sailed from The
United States in July. 1894. A CONNER
cial treaty with Prussia, was the only re-
suit Of these general commissions. imme-
dlately aztec the signing of which, DIR.
Franklin returned Ia America, and Nr.
Jeiie sun WAS appointed his successor as
minister To France.
DUrng his residence in France, hp, at
the request of his native state, presented
To the city Of Paris, the bust of the gallant
! Marquis de La tayetie.
The leisure, AS minister, which was i'm
posrd on him, by the increasing dlstrac-
tion of the country, allowed HIM the OPP
portunity Of culiivating his acquaintance
With the fine arts, and of enjoying the So
riety and conversation of men celebrated
IN literature aud science.
In October, 1888, he obtained leave To
return home, aud arrived at Norfolk IN
the following November. On his way to
his,seat At Monticello, he was met by an
express from president Washington, bring
Ing hun Il commission as SET Rotary 1f stale.
Tnls be accepted, and in thu April follow
ios, proceeded To New York. then the seat
of government, and entered upon the dn-
ties of his office, III which he continued
until the first of January, 1894, when he
reslgned the situation, and retired to prl-
waite life. The arduous aud important du-
Ties oi his station, are UNIVERSAL, acknow-
lodged To have been discharged ia man
nsr 10 reflect the highest credit on himself
and country. The neutrality of the Uni
ted States was maintaiord al most try
Ing period, with inilexible impartalty to-
wards the brlliserent powers of France
| and England aud his department to-
waid- Hammond ADD Genet, the minis
tefs resident of two great 'ival powers, fur
| nlshes the clrarest evidence of his con-
summale ability Az IA statesman.
A few other of his acts while secretary
| ought, perhaps, ~ be noticed, as they are
calculated To show, in various lights. the
wonderful extent of his capacity. Amof <
these might be partirulariZed, his reports
~ the privilege aud restrictions of com
| merce, and on the whale aud cod tishe-
res with his plan for reducing the cur.
rrncy, weights, and ,Deasurrs of the Uni
ted States, 10 an uniform standard. Ii has
been observed that these papers evince
| MOI only the feeling, OF II patriot, and the
Judgment ut an accomplished statesman,
! but DISPLAY, nj the same time, uncommon
talents a"d koo"ledgeas II mathematician
aud natural philosopher, the deepe-t re-
search as an historian, aGd even al enlarg-
I'd acquaintance with the business and
| concerns of merchant
In 1897, he was elected icepresident, g.
IN 1901. president OF the United States of
America. For eight years, he filled TIN,
exalted station with great ability aud Wis
dom, aud al the expiration OF which, he
Withdrew for the remainder ol hi, days,
from the political theatre. The admira-
lion, the gratitude, and the regrets OF the
| alton followed INN.
Among the most noted acts OF admins
iratlon, WAS the purchase of the extensive
coantrs OF Louisiana and no one displays
~ truer light the character of his mind,
Ieplete with philanthropy and the love ot
~Cifnc", than his almost immediate dIec-
tons iol the exploration OF that vast re-
Ion.
Since the year l77G, he has been the
president Of the American philosophical
| society, and is "A member of many ol Ia.
mo-t learned societies in Europe and A.
mefIca.
Until lately, he possessed the most ex-
tchslNe, rare, aud Valuable collection of
books, in almost every language, and on
yearly all subjects bul 90 tn- destruction
of The national library at Washington, by
The British, in l8l /. he at ouct pInpused,
for moderate pr1ce, 10 transfer the great
or portion of his books 10 Tue Quilted
States. and they accordingly became the
property of the nall0n. He now resides
at his elegant retreat al Monticello happy
IN the consciousness of we'll spent life,
aud at the age Of elshty-two Years. re-
tanning his mental tacuItics and bodily en-.
ergies in a remarkable degree.
In person, hr is tall and OF slender make;
his eyes are light, aud full of intelligence,
his complexion far, aud his hair nciining
10 be red. In conversation, he is free aud
communicative. All topics that fall un-
der discussion, are treated by him with O.
DUAL unrestrvrdupss. He seems, indeed,
To have no tbong3t or opInOn To conceal,
and his stores OF knowledge are unlocked
aud laid open with the same freedom in
which osture unfoids her bounlics. They
lie before you, aud you have only to select
and enjoy. In manner, he is frequently
pointed, and sometimes energetic, but al
ways Mid, aud occasionally pleasant and
face,ious.
The scientific and literary, throughout
the Union, have always looked upon him
as their adviser and patron ; and have, in
deed, seldom failed 10 gain considerable
advantage by their applications.
..sSS",-
The .Nori0ich Courier gives the follow.
Ing strange statement Of coincidrnces:-
There is "a man COW living in the coun