American watchman and Delaware advertiser., 1826-02-28
From The Norjolk Herald efshe 24th inst.
MR.. JEFFERSON.

We have copied to-av from the Richmond Enquirer the
bill authorizing Mr. Jefferson To dispose OF his property
by lottery &C. and sketch of the debate in the House of
Delegates, While the bill under consideration. After
all this is not the in which the necessities of who
has many claims to the gratitude Of Virginia ought to be
relieved Would not be better fort the people of Virginia,
and those Ut her sister states who may wish to give such
evidence of their regard for of the most distinguish
ed of revolutionary worthless to raise by voluntary Of
erngs the requisite to free him from his inducements
and give peace and comfort to his few remaining days
But it has been isnuatcd ~ of the Richmond papers
that MIR. Jefferson would shrink om receiving assistance
this way. How is this asceraned Who has made
the proposition to him. that he should be known to have
sgnfed his lisapprobaton oft is TO be presumed
that he would have objected to the proposition before il
made and where is the necessity for making at all
The people know his situation and il they choose to graf
y feelings by comforting benefit upon him, in
part payment of debt of gratitude which his country
him, they surely may be permitted to do So without
waiting ascertain whether it will be agreeable to him
He certainly would not counenance the measure
and would be ndecate 10 mention it to him-nor is it to
be believed that he could refuse his to it. 1t would
be the noblest g that could be conferred for would be
Offering waimfrom the hearts of grateful people Some
may argue that like Mr.. Jefferson who has de-
voted his best days 10 his countys services and in need
of peeuniary render his old age comfortable should
be provided for out of the public treasury Not If
the people permit their servants to their money for
such purpose in instance, they will take the liberty
of doing SO in others and there is knowing how far
they may carry their prodgaly Let the people do these
things themselves, and the reward will be the hon
orabe to the recipient, while they will the time
give decided negative to dangerous innovation
The bill authorizing Mr. JEFFERSON to dispose of his
property by lottery has passed the Virginia Legislature.
The in the House of Delegates was, ayes 125,
81; in the Senate, ayes IS, noes 4.
The following is the bill passed in favor of Mr..
Jefferson.
Whereas it is made known to the General Assem-.
bly, that Ihos. Jeerson after more than sixty years
OF public service during which his attention has been
necessarily Withdrawn, in grea. degree, from the
care Of his private estate hath found himself ndebt
ed to a large amount insomuch that the sale OF a
great proportion Of his valuable property will be
necessary to pay his debts; and whereas there is
good reason believe that if large and valuable
an estate is forced into the market, in the present
depressed state Of prices, will be greatly sacrhced;
and it hath been suggested, that ii the said Ihos.
jefferson were allowed TO dispose of his property by
Lottery he could obtain for it all that he desires,
fair price; could thereby pay his debts, and have
remaining competency for his family: and the
General Assembly deemng it proper to allow lot.
terry for so desirable an object: Therefore,
Be 1T enacted, That the aforesaid THos. JEFFER.
SON shall be- and he is hereby authorized to dispose
Of any part OF his real estate BY lottery for the pay
ments Of his debts, prorided that he do not raise
from any property so disposed OF, greater nett
sum than the fair value Of such property, to be as
certained in manner herein provided that is to say
Every part of the property so to be disposed of,
shall previously be valued on oath by three or more
of the persons herein authorised to value it. They
shall make the valuation after their own view, or
from their own knowledge Of the property, and shall
grant certificate thereof, under their hands and