Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-09-07
w. b. GILES.


Mr. JsGerson's Letter The letter of AIR Jrff-r-
son, submitted to the public to-day by Governor
GILES will be read with deep interest by the Ame-
riesn people. The deliberate opinions Of man
like Mr. Jefferson, who acted so conspicuous part
! In the achievement of our Independence; in giving
form and fashion TO our free institutions and in sd
mInisterng them, are entitled to great weight
| This is a point conceded by almost all the
friends and opponents of the present amnsti alton.
his approximations from the usurpation of power
by the General Government, whatever false con-
| sructions may have been given to particular acts
OF his public life, now no longer be matter Of
speculation.
| The allusion made by Mr.. Jefferson TO the trea-
sonaoie designs OF part OF the Federal party
will be, at once, understood by the Intelligent rea.
| der A The time Mr.. j. q. Adams seeded from
the federal ranks, he made certain disclosures, upon
the str ength of which il is believed Mr. j. formed his
opinions Of tie views of the federal party of that
day Ii canno, be denied that the impression thus
communicated TO Mr.. Jefferson's mind, had great
| influence on his after conduct. He looked upon
MIR. Adams Distinguished and influential mem
Der oil the party, and connecting his disclosures
with the eolenn protes atoms with which they
were accompanied, he thought them disinfercstei,
and probably conf led in their truth. 1t il hsto-
ricsl fact that shortly afterwards, MIR. Adams was
violently assailed by Mr.. Il. Pickering in the SEN
ate of the United States. and that MIR. Giles step
ped forward in his defence, and replied TO Mr..
AiSAtAibS WIN SIcst point anu eHrct. Tie spoke
| OF Mr. Adams in such terms that Mr. Adams's
friends are now constantly rs-publishing extracts
from the speech, TO show what Mr. Giles's
opinion OF his worth aud talents. III Mr.. Jefferson
placed, at the time, too much confidence in the
disclosures of MIR. Adams, he seems to have re-
tained 1t to the moment OF his writing the letter
! now before For he says, &c doubt whether
| single fact known TO the world, will carry a.
clear conviction TO 1t. OF the correctness of our
knowledge OF the reasonable views of the fede
raj party OF that day that disclosed by this most
nefariou- and daring attemp, TO discover the Uni
on; OF which the Hartford Conv ention was a sub
sequent Chapter aud both of these having failed
Consolidation becomes the first Book OF their His
Tory. but this opens with vast accession of
! strength from their Younger Recruits, who,
having nothing in them OF the spirit OF '76, now
look to single and splendid government of an
ARIsTocRAcY, founded u mixing Instiu
tons and monied interpretations, under the guise
anu cloak OF their favoured branches Of manufac
lures, commerce aud navigation riding and ruling
over the piundered ploughman and beggsred yeo-
manry."
This language is characteristic of the energy
with which Mr.. Jefferson feIt and wrote Lille
The whole volume of his life, it proves his repubi
eanism; his attachment TO the people, his hatred
OF arisocracy He was, in life the object of fede-
raj remuneration. He looked upon the inlerpreta-
ton OF the constitution by that party as danger
Gus; and the majority OF the American people went
! with him.
We fno,o that towards a great many OF the fe-
dera gentlemen, Mr.. Jefferson entertained the most
profound respect; a, the time that he differed
with them in some points OF construction and polie
| ey. Those who have known him personally.
know this. What mot,ue has he ever had for
maintaining the opinions that have Characterised
the whole of his liie!! Born in the ranks of the
orlsiocr0cy; with princely fortune; with all the
advantages OF family; and with talents that would
have made him conspicuous in any country and in
| what W. but he
repubicanism that enlisted him 90 aIdentIv in The
! glorious cause of the Revolution? He was youns
when the Revolution broke OUT; but he was dis.
tnSuished- He penned The charter Of oar Iibert,..
and was among the master-spirits of the storm
that achieved them. a grateful country had since
elevated him to the highest honos within her gift
the whole civilized world regarded him as one Of
the first scholars and philosophers Of the age; he
had passed through all the which literary or
political ambition could desire; and in The midst of
his preparations tobii adieu to all cordiv conside
rations, and forever to leave the country he had so
long loved and served, he writes the letter we now
lay before The world What could have been his
| feelings or his motives! He bad long since buri-
ed all personal anmosties, and had looked with
fthe dignity OF philosophy, uron the past and the
iu'ure What he says then, is not indited by am
oi'ioD, (for he could have none to OF atify y il
does not proceed from personal feeling: for he
| had been long abouring, that every thing of that
sort, should be inferred before him. He looked
4 only to Jbe good OF his country. In promoting
| that The ordinary fascies of human judgment may
have, sometimes. led him sstray.