The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1826-07-13

Washington, which the present state Of
my health iorbids me ID indulge the hope
of participating, only witimy best wishes
for the increasing prosperity OF your city,
and the constant health ofIts inhabitants
Mr., Carroll says" am much obliged
10 the Committee for their invitation TO at
tend, Oh the fourth of next month, the cell
ebratlon Of the Fittieth Anniversary OF A
ineriean Independence, in the Metropolis
OF the United States. Having received q
similar invitation from the City of New
York. and having declined it., cannot with
propriety attend the celebration at Wash
ingtou."
The following letter is truly character
istic Of the venerable sage whose sigma
tuIe it bears;
MoNrIcELLo, June oath, lS26.
Respected Sir :. The kind invitation
received from you, on the part of the cit-
zens of the CITY of Washington, TO be pre-.
sent with them at their celebration of the
Fiftieth Anniversary of American lndepen-
dence as one the surviving sIgners of an
instrument, pregnant with our ownand the
fate of the world, is most tlatterUg TO my
self. and heightened by the honorable ac-
compartment proposed for the comfort of
sV-h journey. Ii adds senslbly Ia the
lsuiierings, of sickness, 20 be deprived by it
hofa personal participation in the rel loicings
of that day ; but acquiesce ence is a duty I'M
der circumstances not placed among those
we are permitted TO control. should, IN
deed, with peculiar delight, have met and
exchanged there, congratulations person
allv, with the small band the remnant Of
that host of worthless who iorned with us on
that day in the bold and doubtful election
we were to make, for our country, between
submission and the sword and to have en-
loyed with them the consolatory fact that
our fellow citizens after lalfa century of
experience and prosperity, continue to APP
prove the choice we made. May it be the
world, what believe it will be, Ito some
parts sooner to others later, but finally to
| all,) the signal of arouslng men TO burst
the chains under which monkish ignorance
and superstition had persuaded them to
bind themselves, and to assume the bles.
sings and security of self government.
The form which we have substituted res.
torres the free right to the unbounded exer-
else ofreason, and freedom ofopinion. Al
eyes are opened, or opening, to the rights
ofman. The general spread of the lights
of science has already laid open TO every
view the palpabc truth that the mass OF
mankind has not been born with saddles on
their backs, nor favored few booted and
spurred, ready to ride them legitimately, by
the grace ofGod. These are grounds oI
hope Cor others--for ourselves, let the an
nual rc.urn Of this day forever refresh our
recollectionS of these rights, and an undi-
minished devotion to them.
| viii ask permission here to express the
pleasure with which should have met M
ancIent neighbours ofthe city of Washing
! ton and its VIC entities, with whom passct
so many years Of a pleasing social inter
course an intercourse which so much rc.
licved the anXieties ofthe public cares, ana
left impressions so deeply engraved in m,
affections, as never TO be forgotten. Will
my regret that III health forbds me the
qualification of an acceptance. be pleased
to receive for yourself, and those for whom
you write, the assurance of my highest re
spect and friendly attachments.
THOMAS JEFFERSON.
r. c. WEIGHTMAN. ESQ. Chairman, &c