Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-07-11

dence Of their country. That was an extraor-
binary letter. As citizen Of Washington, (and
he declared himself one) he felt his bosom swell
with honest pride at the declarations it con-
tanned, and he doubted that an individual
could be found who had not rejoiced in seeing
it in print; as it published 10 the world the in
innate and delightful social connection which
had for so many years subsisted between them
and the great man now no more. That letter
was characteristic Of its wrirer-in it was seen
the ruling passion Of his soul-his love of liber-
ty, strong on the verge Of the grave, strong E.
ven in death. He then, probably for the last
time, spoke Of the rights of man, and seemed to
offer up his ardent aspirations for the spec
dy and total extinction Of tyranny IN what
ever garb to 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 ne
,Nyould derive in once more meeting with
and enioying the society Of his ancient neigh
bors of The District, and seemed 10 regard the
more his bodily infirmites because they ce-
prived him Of the ability of gratifying his wish
| es. He expressed his gratitude in glowing ana
! feeling terms, for wha. he was pleased to con-
slider the many acts of kindness and affection,
! waich he said be had experienced at their hands
during his long residence among them-that
this social intercourse, and these acts OF kind
ness, had been the most pleasing relief ne had
enjoyed from the cares and ceaseless anxieues
OF his high and official duties. lie believed
that Mr. Jefferson had resided in no one place
since the commencement OF his erential poti-
cal life, as long as he had in Washington, eA-
! cept his own favorite and beautiful Monticello;
, - c. ,I,, kanI
that after the lapse oil upwards OF seventeen
years, he entertained vivid recollection OF, and
looked back with pleasure upon, that residence,
as having been distinguished by acts OF friend.
ship and social intercourse, the recollection OF
which twas pleasing to REGAL to his memory
! The sentiments ofthat letter were certainly lett
and entertained by lis writer, for there was no
necessity, after such lapse Of time, Of commit
ting them to record if they had no, been really
entertained MIR Jefferson seemed TO rejoice
that so fitting an occasion had presented itself
! Of doing so, and indiled them with heart full
of love. Itwas a letter which ought to be read
and read again by every citizen Of Washington.
1t was doubtless the last he ever wrote, & twas
! certainly not the least remarkable OF those OF
! lis remarkable author He again repeated that
, every citizen Of Washington ought TO be proud
of it. 1t ough; to be carefully preserved as a
sacred memorial Of the affectionate remem-
brancc Of this City and OF It's inhabitants, BY
the great and good man from whom it came.
IL ought to be splendldly framed and decorat-
! ed, and suspended in this ediice Qhe City
I Hall,) that the world and after ages aud poste-
rity might see and read II his own words the
evidence OF the regard that The immortal JET
erson entertained ior this city and its citizens:
! and that even he felt the enrolling sentiment
of gratitude for what he was pleased 10 term
the hospitality and friendship he had received
while placed among them in the discharge OF
the most arduous and responsible duties OF man.
Nay, il ought to be engraven in gold, and trea-
/ sured up in the breasts Of the citizens; II was
no common thing, and he must again express
his qualification that the gentleman, Mr.. Wat
terson,) had brought forward resolution
which so handsomely reciprocated the sentl-
ments Of Mr. Jefferson. He trusted it would
pass with that unanimity which had character
lied the proceedings which had just taken
! place.
: Governor Barbour entirely concurred in the
remarks which had Just been made, and cx-
pressed himself in favor Of the resolutions,
but suggested the propriety OF suspending any
proceeding under them, until Mr.. WIRr's as
sent should be obtained to the request to be
made Of him in pursuance of the resolutions
brought in by General JONES.
! This course being then assented 10, the reso-
lu,ioas were agreed to unanimously.
| The proceedings consequent upon the cause
which had called forth the meeting, having
/ been ended,
| Governor BARBOUR again rose and said that
without wishing 10 be considered troublesome
; or importunate, he could not let the present oc
cssion pass away, wilhou, saying word or
two upon the subject which had engaged tie
attention Of the people at their late assemblage
on the 4th instant. He then went on 10 illus
tate the propriety of continuing the subserip-
lions which had been commenced for the relief
of Mr.. Jefferson, and OF applying 1t in the way
in which he would certainly and naturally have
turned il, had it pleased Providence 10 have
spared his precious life till its completion, the
relief Of his otherwise impoverished posterity.
Governor Barbour made several suggestions
upon this subject, but said he would then sub
nit no motion.
And the meeting adjourned.
X. c. WEIGHTMAN, Chairman.
S. BuRcH, Secretary.