The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1827-12-27

in The Illinois Intellgencor contains th
rs letters of Gov. Coles, and of Tbomas "
"lliner, Esq. setting forth the conversation
heid by these gentlemen, with Mr.. Jeffer
n. son, short time before his death. Gov
10 Coles letter, was written in reply TO on
= addressed TO him, by several respectable
gentlemen, who wished to ascertain wba
e opinion mr.. Jefferson had expressed I,
/ uoV. Coles upon the fitness of Gen. Jack
son Tor the Presidency. The Governor
letter commences with avowiny his rerrct
mat remarks made in friendly intercourse
= SHOULD have found their way into the news
$ papcrs--and ndds, that nothing but the ex.
t'"0rdinary efforts to dsprove the correct.
|, , ness OF hIs statement with regard to mr..
Jctierson's opinion Of Gen. J. would have
induced him TO have submitted this le,tor
to the public. We have extracted the fol-.
loving pa,soges, which are tho most i'm
poriant in the letter.
On the nth Of August, 1926. while ON
VISIT To Mr. Jefferson, at Monticello.
had very long, aud highly interesting
conversation with hinI, ~ relation to the
'ast fresldental election; in which he
spoke very freely and fully of men AID OF
thIh@s, and dNeit, az considerable lcnrth.
on thc character, PRINCIPLES, and conduct
oi the gentlemen who had been candidates
ne cHpa,iatcd dispassionately. and viii.
out reserve; drew comparisons. made dis.
examinations, and described. in his usu,}
| i"rG'o!e language, the good and bad traits
IN thr Character oi each. lie gave The de
'ldcu preference TO mr.. Crawford. and
| "a" ~ vas greatly to be regretted that he
Snou," nave lost bis health, and with it hi,
election. Having failed to elect him. he
expressed qualification that the choice had
lil,en on Mr.. Adams; to whom, he said. he
onu objections, several Of which he on
NIalned but conceived HIM TO be moro
safe and tit. and by his requirements nno |
habits of life, by far better qualified ,h,,
General Jackson TO discharge the dutic, |
~ me Presidency. In a word. he snake
u Mr.. Adams as an enlightened md OK
p'rIcnced statesman: Of Gen. Jackson nc
valiant and successful solI:er-wth mo-
pthcr pretenslon To the Chief Mapistracy
nan that derived from his military services.
WINE conversing about Gen. Jackson. !
TOOK occasion 10 say. that the great zeal
winch had been displayed 10 elect ,ha
General, and the extraordinary vote ho b,d
received, had made me doubt of the dur,.
hlIty Of our free institutions. Mr. Joffar
son bracccd himself in his scat, looked
steadiaStIv at me, and in the most en-.
phatlc manner, said, ".Sir, II has cnrstI
me 10 doubt more than any thing ,riich las
occurred since The '.9oiuiion." This part
oi the conversation | related to Mr.. Wi.
llamS, and which | regret has found IFS
way INTO the newspapers, and subjected ,
NE 10 the necessity of making this comm.
nlcatlon. The conversation held with !
MI Jefferson, was not confidential one. (
= g.
In short, the impression left on nv mind
was such, that 1t was impossible for me
10 conceive, under any circumstances. that "
Mr, Jefferson could look with coInplacen. o
y, much less be anxious for the election
u General Jackson to the Presidency. #
Gov. Coles addressed letter 10 Thorn. o
Is w. Gimcr, gentleman ofhiGh respcc. ,t
ability, at Charlottesville, on the subject of
'lr' Jefferson's opinion of Gen. Jackson's II
competency for the office of President. and O,
ecelved in reply communication from N
nr. Gilmer, an extract from which is here ],
aid before our readers. 81
| remember to have heard Mr.. Jefrcrson -
n one occasion, use an expression, which
truck me, not so much by the sentiment il
onta'ned, (which. indeed, was then a very VI
ommon one in Virginia. as the STYLE in tr
'hlch 1t was made. Speaking Of the scy. as
raj candidates for the Presidency, before :.
ne las, election, he remarked that zone "'
,ght as well make sailor of cock, or
soldier OF goose, as President of An. vi
rev Jackson" These words made an su
,deIlble impression on my memory. They ;.
'ere uttered with a tone of sportivc. al
lost OF contemptuous dcrison. Mr. JEFF -
'rson was discanting at the time wher u
ms remark was ehcited, on the pronencss
the multitude to give a man who pos. ho
essed one virtue, credit for others which ~
g did not possess, or Of the wan; OF dis. TIC
in the public mind, where any
ing like enthusiasm and favoritism was
ingled with subject. 20
-~eos-- nv
Miss Clara Fisher, the theatrical prodi- ed
's playing all sorts Of characters at the
ark Theatre. The last newspapers from in,
f.announee her successful perfornsnce gy
Shylock mi