American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1827-12-28

MADISON coUNTy. ILLINOIS,
.Norember IS, 1927.
GlxrLRMEH: have seen, with regret that a
fcnark made by Mr.. Jefferson to me, in the free
dom Of social and friendly intercourse, and which
| repeated in the same spirit 10 friend last Win
ter, should have found ts way into the newspa.
pers. NV reluctance to appearing before the
public, and giving publicity 10 an expression used
IN conversation. has restrained me from noticing
The many unlnstfabe versions and animadversions
which lis publication has given rise to; or yield
ing to the frequent applications made to meby many
us my friends and acquantances, to make known
MIR. Jelerson's opinions Of General Jackson's quail
ificatons and fitness for the Presidency. Nor
should now be induced to depart from my pur-
pose Of remaining silent, but for the extraordinary
efforts which have been made, ard the peculiar
character Of Of the parties concerned, to dis
prove the correctness Of the opinions of Mr.. JEFF.
ferson as expressed to, and repeated by, me. AZ
ter what has past. do not feel myself at liberty
any longer to decline making explanations, which
have become the more necessary from the errone-
Gus assertion recently attributed TO me, and the
improper use made Of my name in the public jour.
mails: | shall, therefore. so far yield to the call
contained in your letter OF the Goth Instant as to
make, in reply to it the following statement--un-
der the conviction that it has become not less due
TO me and to the occasion, than to the opinions OF
so respectable portion Of my fellow citizens /;
thing objectionable in my conduct, an excuse will
be found in the fact Of my name having been brought
before the public without INV consent the improper
liberties taken with it, and the uniusti6able at
tempts made in disparasement, not merely Of my
Inenory, but OF my character.
On the l lth of August 1925, while on visit to
Mr. Jefferson, at Monticello, | had a very long and
highly interesting conversation with him, in rela-
ton 10 the last Presidential election: in which lie
spoke very freely and fully Of men and Of things.
and dwelt, at considerable length, on the chatac.
ter, principles. and conduct, Of the gentlemen who
Aa, been candidates. He expatated dispassion-
ately, and without reserve; drew comparisons.
made DETERMINATIONS, and described. IN his usual
fotciole language. the good aud bad traits in the
character Of each. lie gave the decided prefer.
cnce to Mr.. Crawford, and SAID it was greatly to
be regretted that he should have lost his health, and
with it hs election. Having failed to elect him,
lie expressed qualification that the choice had fall
len on Mr.. Adams; to whom, he said, he had OBJ
Iectlons, several of which he explained: but con-
ceiyed him to be safe and fit, and, by his &C
qlrements and habits Of life by far better qualified
than General Jackson to discharge the duties oil
the Presidency. In word, he spoke Of Mr.
Adams as an enlightened and experienced states.
man; OF Gen. Jackson as valiant and sue.
cesstul soldier-~th no other pretension to the
Chief Magisttacy than that derived from his mill
tary services. While conversng about Gen. Jack
snil, ! took OCCASION to say, that the grea. zeal
which had been displayed to elect the General
and the extraordinary vote ne had received had
made me doubt Of the durability of our free inst
tutons Mr.. Jefferson braced himself in his seat
looked stcadlastiy at me, and in the most emphat
ic manner, said, g Sir, 1t has caused me to donb
more than any thing Which has occurred since tn,
Recolution.' This part Of the conversation re
Deated to Mr. Williams, and which regret ha.
found its way into the newspapers, and SUBJECTED
me to the necessity Of making this communication
The conversation held with Mr.. Jefferson, wa.
not confidential one Believing, however, the
language to have been more free and full than h,
would have held with every one have thought i
dine to that confidence and discretion, which is ia
City reposed in friends, and usual in the freedom
Of social intercourse, not to speak Of it ndiscrm
nately, much less to give it publicity in the news
papers But have felt myself at liberty, using
as conceived, proper discretion, to repeat, botl
before and since his DEATH many OF his remarks Il
particular persons; some OF whom we're his neigh
b0rs. and others his intimate and confidential
friends, IN the same manner, as, | supposed, hi
himself would have done, or as would repeat thu
free remarks OF any otherfriend made to me unde
similar circumstances. And in one instance,
communicated the substance of those he had mad
in relation to General Jackson in letter to a mu
tua friend in Richmond Va. Though. in SOM
respects, it might be desirable, in consequence O
what has past, to give more in detail the remark
of Mr. Jefferson, there are other and obvious rca
sons which induce me to prefer transcribing tn
brief statement contained in that letter, as il wa
written by me near two months before heard o
e,e death, or even illness Of Mr. Jefferson, to on