Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1827-12-22

Gen Jackson and his fitness for the presiI.ncv-te
time at which it was had. and the exact words.
nearly as you can recollect ticm used BY MIR Jefer-
SOD when speaking 10 you on that subec;
We venerate the memory of air JeiI.r son, aud pro
ound'y respect his opinions, and wish that those he
really did entertain and express relation 10 General
jackson, may be given 10 the world.
Very Respectfully, we are Sir,
Your OBJ. Servants
George Forguer Stiaey Brecse
Thomas Ford I}ipid PrfrkeK
I'm p. .ArEee, IIios LiDD,acofE
Alexander Miller, JOHN Todd
MADISON COUNTY. IIrINoIs,}
November %, 1927. {
Gentlcmea-I have seen with regret that a remark
made by Mr.. Jefferson me, in the freedom Of social
aud friendly intercourse. and which repeated in the
same spirit to friend last winter, shoud have found
MS gay into the newspapers. NV reluctance appear
ing before the public, and gviuc. publicity to an ex-
press'on used IN cow ersaon has restrained me from
noticing the many uniustiEable versions and aui,rad-
versions which It's publications has given rise or ;ci
ing 10 the frequent applications made TO ms By MANY
OF my friends aud acquaintance, to make know NJ.
Jeerson's opinions of Gen JacIlsons qualifications
ana illness for The presidency. Nor should now be
induced 10 depart from my purpose of remauiur silent
but for the extraordinary efforts which have been made
aud the peculiar character Of of the parties cum
cerned, to disprove the OF the opinions of
Mr. Jefferson, as expressed to, and repeated BY me-
Alter what has past, do ferl myself at liberty
any longer to declna making explanations, which have
become the more necessary from the asser-
Tons recently attributed TO me, and The improper use
made of my name in the public journals shall there
fore, far yield to The call contained in your letter of
the 20th instant as to make in reply il, the follow
ing statemen under the convciisn that il has become
not less due TO aud to the OCCASION tau TO the onn
ions OF respectable portion OF ny fellow citizens:
and with The toll Persusion, that there be any thing
objectionable in my conduct excuse will be found
Ia the fact of my name having been brought before
the public, without my consent, the i,rproper liner
Ties taken with it, aud the unrsfabe attempts made
10 disparageT'en not merely of sy memory, bu, of my
character.
On the eth Of August 1926 while on a visit to gir
Jefferson, at Monticello, had very long aud highly
interesting conversation with HIM, in relation to the
last presidential election; in which he smoke very
freely and fully of men and Of things, and dwelt al
considerable length the character, principles and
conduct, OF the gentlemen Vho had been cand dates.
lie expatiaied dspassonaeiy, ard without reserve;
dreW comparisons made DETERMINATIONS and descrb-
ed, in his usGal forcble language the GOOD and had
traits in the character OF each lie gave the decided
preference to Mr. Crawford, and said vas greatly TO
be regretted that he should have lost his health and
with il his election. Having failed to elect him he
expressed qualification that the choice had fallen on
ihlr Adans to whom he said he bad objections sew.
eral OF which he expained but concerned him 20 be
more safe and h and, by his requirements and habits
of life, BY far better qualified than Gen. Jackson TO
discharge the duties of The presidency. In word he
spoke of Mr. Adams enlightened and experenc
cd statesman; OF Con Jackson as valiant and sue
ces.iul soidicr-wi,h other petenSion 10 the chief
inags'racy tina that derived froa his military services
" lille coDversinS about Gen. jackson, took coca
SION TO say that the great zeal which had been dis
played to eject lie General and the ex,raord;narr
he had received had made me ,loub, Of the dura
biiity Of our free institutions Id Jefferson braced
himself as seat, looked sisadfasy me, and in e
most emphatic manner. said ''Sir it has cansed me to
douot more tia1 any thing which has occurred since
the revolution" This part of the conversation | re
Pealed 10 Mr. Williams, and which regret has found
lis way INTO the newspapers, and subjected the
necessity Of making this communication.
| The conversation held with GI Jefferson vas no;
confidential one believing, however, the language
to have been more free and full than be would have
held with every one, have thought il due TO that
confidence and dscretop which is tacitly reosed in
friends, and usual in tie freedom of social intercourse
not TO speak Of IT unfortunately, much less give
III publicity IN the newspapers But have felt myself
at liberty, using, as | conceived proper discretion.
10 repeat, both before and since his DEATH many OF
his remarks 10 particular persons OF whom yere
his Deghbors. and others his intimate and confidential
friends, IN the same manner supposed he himself
would have done, would repeat the free re
marks Of any other friend made 10 me under similar
circumstances. Aud in instance, communicated
the substance Of those he had made in relation TO Gen
Jackson in letter to mutual friend in Richmond,
Viz. Though IN some respects it might be desirable.
in consequence of what has past, TO give more in
detail the remarks OF Mr., Jefferson there are other
aud obvious reasons which induce TO prefer
crbiDg tie brief statement contained in that letter as
IT was written by me near two months before heard
Of The death illness of ar Jefferson 10 one Io
lad been in favor Of the election oil MIR Crawford was
in opposition 20 the Federal Administrations and an
Intimate friend of Mr. Jefferson, residing not remote
from bin; and who, If he thought had 10 any respect
miscoOcciveJ Mr.. Jefersou's opinions, or expressed
them in language too strong would, presumed have
bad frequent personal oppor tunitics Of ascertainng
Their accuracy from thai great himself In the
letter above alluded TO, written from this place, aud
dated May %, 1925, are the following remarks.
'lf the Crawford men determine to support Jaclsop
] Tor one cannot 60 with them. And am happy TO
itnot1 shall have the company OF Messrs. JefefsoDn
i-----FFie forUiet (Rlr JefiersoDl ''told ne last
summer tina the zeal which had been displayed IN
favor Of making jackson President, had made him
doubt Of lie Duration Of the RcPubc-hai he did not
possess the temper, The requirements, the assiduity,
the pl,ysicai qualifications FOR ofcetbat DC bad been
10 }a!saa civil Office; aud rad made figure in none