Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-04-04
MIR. JEFFERSON.

The following address delivered by ]. p
Kennedy, Esq. at the public meeting in Baltimore
previous the reading of the preamble and resou-
tons which adopted by the meeting
Mr.. Chairman, - As one, who has been in some
measure accessory to this CALL would respectfully
ask permission to present to the meeting a few re-
solutions, designed to express the feeling Of the c-
ty OF Baltimore upon the subject under consi-
deration; and il doing So hope may be INDUCED
with some remarks, explanatory OF the occasion
upon which Our citizens have been convened.
1t is to me, sir, in many respects, most painful
duty. cannot disguise from my feelings that the
experiment which about to make. requires
TO be managed withgreat address, and with singular
decacy; lest, the one side, the effort 10 arouse
the generous sentiment of the nation should pro-
duce bui partial result; and the other, that the
quick and refined sensibility of noble and ngen-
uous mind, should be wounded by the proceedings
of this day. 1t is, therefore, with most undssem-
bled sincerity that | confess my embarrassment at
task, which Notwithstanding its difficulties, l am
qnite unwilling TO relinquish.
has lately come to the knowledge of this COM
mulity-of this nation-that the venerable Jeffer-
has found it necessary TO dispose of large por-
tions of an estate, which he has enjoyed through
life to relieve himself from those anxious cares and
vexations which embier existence, even in its
" high and palmy state,' but which to" fourscore
years and upwards" are the source of unmi,igated
pain. IL has been told abroad-the fact need not
be concealed-that the splendid fortune of this H.
iusrious servant Of the republic, has been melting
away under the munihcence of its possessor-tha,
patrimony, once most ample, has been invaded
by the accidents, which the dIgnfed station of its
inhertor his characteristic and elegant hosp alty,
his ditfused and imperishable fame, have rendered
peculiar and inevitable.
1t was believed, sir; still believe it, that this
fact could not be communica; ed to the American PEG
pie, '.i'hout being instantly followed up by that
spontaneous effusion ofpersonal and public reg ard
that would bear to this patrarcha patriot, the &C
acknowledgement of their deep and enduring sense
of his public worth, and which, in a more visible
shape, would pour out the oil of comfort and glad
ness upon the waning embers of long and useful
life. 1t was believ ed that no American nav sir
that stranger who had ever visited the phioso-
phic shades of Monticello, would consent, while
he acknowledged spark OF national or classic feel
ing, that that resting place OF the sage that hallow
Ell abode of wit, eloquence and poesy; that Mecca
of he western pilgrim, should ever pass into for
eisn h,nds but by the free gift of its possessor and
that to avert such calamity, the whole American
family would protest against the deed with heart
and hand.
1t is TO provide against such an emergency, sir,
that have taken the liberty to call together thi.
assemblage and it is now proposed that the citi-
zens OF Baltimore, long distinguished for being
wong the first in public spirit and patriotic enter
I'D lead the way in furnishing promptly
1n0roIn1s. personal subscription, such a
similar efforts through.