Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-12-26
COLES.

HONORABLE EDWARD CoLEs, late Governor
Of the State Of Illinois, having been called
upon by a committee Of gentlemen, to state
what he had heard Mr.. JEFFERSON say, in re-
lation to his opinion of the fitness of General
ANDREW JACKSON, for the Presidency, has
addressed a letter to them, which was publish
ed in the Illinois Intelligencer, of the goth Of
November, and which has just reached US.
The letter is too long to be published at
length, and we shall content ourselves with
making such extracts from it, as we deem ex-
pedient. Governor Coles, in tho following
paragraph, briefly, but explicitly and s~atisfac-
torilystates Mr.. Jefferson's language, as uttered
to him, whilst speaking Of the candidates for
the Presidency:
"on the iilh of Angus, 1926, while on a visit 10 Mr.. JeGer-
conversation with lin, in relation 10 the last Pie sideniiaI rIec,
i,on; in which he spoke very freely and fully OF men and Of
things, and dwell, At considerable kngik, on the claraet,r-
principles, and conduct, Of The gentlemen who had been c,nd;,,
dates. lie eSphhaied dhpaaionaiely, and without reserve;
drew comparisons, made Determinations, and described, in hi,
usual ioroible language, the good and bad trait. in The charae-
Ter Of each. lie gave The decided preference TO Mr.. Cav
,ordi ana sad IT was g eally to be regretted that he should have
him, he expressed qualification that the choice had fallen nv
MIR: Adams; TO whom, he said, he had objections, several If
winch lie explained; but conceived him 10 be more safe and
1T, and, by his requirements md habit, of life, by far b,s,.r
qu"i,hed than General jackson TO discharge The dntic, If ,bs
presidency. In a word, he spoke Of Mr.. Adam, a, a .uiu me
encd and experienced Statesman; Of Gen. jackson n !. , S"i.n,
and successful soidier-with no other preten.ion, 10 The CHEZ
coh'ersing about Gen. Jackson, l took occasion 10 ,av. tb,, d.
great zeal which had been displayed 10 elect the Gen.r,j "a
NE , es, lo INA vote he had received, had made me doubt
himself IN his scat, looked seadfo.ly at me, and in IN. NOT,
f%nsn!1s M %sRI E raid ;ia "sIR, IT Las Caused ME TO
CuRRED SINCE THE REVOLUTIONS
1t will probably be remembered by our read
ers' that the substance ofthe foregoing extract.
was published the last spring, at which time.
the United States Telegraph came out and said.
that Governor Coles had denied ever commu-
nlcatlng the substance of the extract TO ,nv
one' and of ever having held any conversation
on the subject of the Presidency, with Mr..
Jefferson. 1t is to reflte the faIsehood of Gen.
erai Greene, that Governor Coles appears be-
fore the public, on this occasion.
Governor Coles does not stand alone in the
afiaIr;-be has the proof of others TO sustain
his word if, indeed. any proof were necessary:
and THoM AS GILMAN, Esq. a gentleman Of
great respectability, a near neighbor of MI.
Jefferson, and opposed to the election of Mr..
ADAMS, has, very %candidly, in a letter address
ed to Governor Coles, corro5orated his state
ment. We copy the annexed extra ct from the
letter Of Mr.. Gilman, which is dated Char
lottesville, May ~, 1927.
"The truth Is, if must be told, that Mr.. J.Gs,,on u.a.-
= o. nj opinions OF General Jackson. As, soldier and
par'o!, the Heneral wa. regarded by Mr.. Jefferson, a, bv ihs.
american People, with admiration and gratitude :ns.L
more from Information derived from Others. tban Of vbs,I
Know myself, when l say, that Mr.. Jefferson. opinion Of Gen.
e era JACKSON Ks ~ as a statesman was less favourable. i believe his
opinion on Tins subject was notorious among those who u
;s.'ed any share of his confidence. I remember TO have heard
mr' emerson, on one occasion, use an expression. which ,trucL
me, MOI so much by the sentiment il contained. (Which ;ndssJ
mm me a very common one in Virginia. as The STYLE In Which,
y was made. Speaking Of The several candidate, 6r tbe Pc
,aenoy' before ,he last election, he remarked that q one might
a wen make a sailor Of a cock, or a soldier of , roo..
~ Le;aen o. Andrew Jackson" These word, made an indeli-
oe impression on my memory. They were uttered with .
lone o. 'rortIye, almost of coniemptuoa, derision. Mr.. JeGer-
son ws de'canting, at the time when th, remark wa, eIch.d
0 n 'he proneness Of the multitude to give a man who no.,s.s3
one virtue, credit for others which he did not posses. r. of ,Ls
a u discrimination in the public mind, where anv him
- """''@m and faVori'sm was mingled with a subject" .