Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-12-25

.sUnu "a ,.e lAck VI a. !."ii.S gsAe.a OlAls a.
beior. the public without my consent, the impro-
per liberties taken with it, aud the ur us,ifiable
'emp's made in disraragem.n,, not merely Of my
memoIy, but OF character
On the lith OF August $685. while q visit
to Nlr. J.h,rson, at Moniicello, 1 had = very
long and highly interesting conversation with
him, In relation to the lat Presidential election;
IN hich he spoke very freely and fully OF men
and OF things, and dwet ut considerable length,
on the character. principles, and couduct. of the
gentlemen who had been candidates. He. expa-
tiated dispassionateiy, and without res4ve; drew
comparisons, made DETERMINATIONS, and describ-
ed. in his usual forciole language, the good and
bad rai,s in the character of each. He gave the
decided preference to MIR. Crawford, and said it
was greatly to be regretted that he should have
losi his health and with it his election. Having
failed to elect him, he expressed graf fica,ion
that the choice had fallen on Mr. Adams; to
whom. he said, he had objections, several Of
winch be explained; but conceived him to he
more raie and tit, and. by his requirements and
bao's OF lille, by far better qualified than General
jackson to discharge the duties of the presiden>
ey: In word, be rpoke of MIR. Adams
enlightened and experienced statesman; of Cen
jackson as al valiant aud successful soldier
with no other pretensions 20 the Chief Magis!racy
than that derived from hiss military services.
While conversing abost General Jackson, l took
occasion 10 say, that the great u al which had
been displayed TO elect the General, end the exc
Waordina'y vote he had received, had made me
douet oil the durability of our fee institutions.
Sir. Jefferson braced himself in his seat look
Ing steadiastly at mc, and in the NOS, emphatic
manner, said. '!Sir, az has caused me 10 doub,
more Mdn any thing which has occurred since
s"s fec0!uhoR" This Part OF the conv creation
l repeated TO Mr.. Williams, and which / regret
has found lis way into the newspapers, aud cub
jsctec me 10 the Necessity o! making this com.
;uunica!ion.
The conversation I held with MIR. Jefferson,
was not confidential one. Believing, how ever,
.ne language to have been more free aud full than
ne would have held with every one, have
though. it due TO that confidence and discretion,
winch u tacily reposed in friends, and usual in
he freedom OF social intercourse, not To speak
OF 1t indi'cTminaieiy, much less to give il pub
hcity In the newspapers But l have felt my
sell at liberty, using, as l conceived, a proper
discretion, to repeat, both before and since his
uea'h, many OF his remarks TO particular per
SOM; some of whom were his neiehbo,s, and
others his intimate and confidential friends in
'he same manner, az, supposed, he himself
would have done, or as would repeat the free
remarks of any other friend made to me Under
SIMILAR circumstances. And in one instance, I
communicated the substance of those he had III a,is
IN reisuon TO General jackson in a letter 10 a
mutual friend in Richmond. Va. Though, in some
respects, 1T might be desirable, in consequence of
whst has past, TO give more IN detail the remarks
OF Mr.. Jefferson, there other ard obvious rea-
sons which induce me 10 prefer ranscribing the
brief statement contaisel in that letter. as ii was
written by me near two months before [ heard
oil the death, or even illness Of Mr.. Jelfei son, 10
one who had been in favor of The election of Mr..
Crawford, was IN opposition TO the Federal AID :.
ministfation, and an intimate friend of Mr.. ef.r.
son, residing not remote from him; and who, if
he thought had In any respect misconceived Mr
Jeherson's opinions, expressed them in Ian
~ fAt.
frequent personal opportunities of ascertain.
ing their accuracy firm that great man himself
In the letter above alluded to, written from this
place, and dated May 20, 1926 are the following
remarks:
III The Crawford men determine TO support
jackson, L, Tor one, cannot go with them. And
avn happy to kaOtc shall have the company OF
hlessrs Jefferson and -. The former mir
JetsIson) told me. last GUNNER that the zeal
which had been displayed 10 favor OF making Jac,x-
son President, had made him doubt of the dura-
ton Of the Republic; that he did not possess
The temper, the requirements, the assiduiiy, the
physical qualification, for The Office; that he had
been In various civil Offices, aud had made Fl
cure in none; aud that he had completely failed
aud shown himself incompetent to an Executive
trust Ia Florida; IN word, said the venerable
old Patriarch, there a'e hundred men in
Albema'le county better qualified for the Presi-
dercy."
These were the opinions expressed by Mr.. JEFF
ferson 10 me, 10 August, 1925, anil were greatly
amplied AMI illustrated by reference to, and state
menis OF, the Official and personal coutluci OF
Gen. jackson. Whether Mr. Jefferson afterwards
changed his opinions, and thought better of Jack.
son, or worse of Adams, kaoyy not: for, soon
after holding this nversa;ion with him, re
turned TO Illinois, sad did not again visit Virginia
until last Winter; when, must here be permitted
to add, sn;onG his numerous friends and accusin
tances, with whom l converted I do moi recoI-
iect TO have met with single individual who did
not seem TO be perfectly aware of the low es,i-
nation IN which lac held the civil talents and dual
'ilca'ions OF General jackson. Many of those
persons eouid refer 10, and repeat expres'io, :
they Informed me they had heard Mr. Jefferson
use, did the occasion require it, or Justify ms,
bringing their names before the public. feel nv.
sell, however, at liberty, from the manner have
received The Information, 10 say that Garrei Mi
nor has letter from his brother, the Iaie Peter
Minor, the Deishbor and intimate friend of MIR
Jeterson, detailing opinions expressed by Mr. J. 81.
which, am informed, very sirnilar 10 tbos .
he expressed 10 me. ] understand Mr.. nioo,,s
conversation with Mr.. J 10 have been subseonent
10 mine.
From my knowledge Of Mr.. J. was convin-
ced he would not be pleased with some pafts q,
the Executive Message OF December, 1926, no,
with some Of the principles ayogyed and measures
advocated, by The Administration and its friend.
'" Nohsiess' .et persuaded that these thing s
would render him less satisfied with the oreseUt
Executive, and should not have been surprised T.,
have heard that he desrous of seeing the gov
ernmen, administered by sno,her BIt with q
! strong recollection Of the opinions expre4.ed n,
him. and VI der ths influence of the deep ,mptea
! sion made by them, was not prepared 20 hear
That mat other was Gen Jacksoni especially When
called TO mind expressions in which he lad an
imsdyered with severity on the repeated inst,n-
ces 10 which Gen. Jacsgon had innnlfn.ind -. -