Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-09-21
MIR JEFFERsON,s LETTER


MIR JEFFERSON'S LETTER.
Thi- letter hes produced great sensation. The
Friends as well a. the Foes of the Administers
Hon nave made II the subject of numerous COM
ment%. The former claim the weight of this zen
cradle name on their side of The question. The
latter seek 10 break ITS force, by sundry ingen-
Gus devices; a., for instance, the National Ga
zette; which attempts to make out from the
Character OF his habits; his visitors. his reading
&c that the opinions of Mr.. Jefferson are of
no value or substance whatever" in relation 10
the g particular sentmens' ofthis letter;
g Fne sage of Monticello was not without
!oibles he liked to coincide with the persons who
~roe to him in friendly and comp lais4nt strain;
he too easily allowed his predi- positions in favor
< Nsome OF the doctrines of such politicians a. MIR
G.'ss, TO be wrought into absolute opinions.
which, IT he bad exercised his Judgment ndepen.
DENLY, aud studied the questions thoroughly and
impsriislly, he would have been far from adopt-
ing, or at least u,ttriag with freedom and conf
dence."
We consider, MIR. Walsh rather unfortunate in
the reasons he has assigned TO shake the faith OF
this letter. Mr.. j. saw all sorts of Visitors as
he well knows. Gentlemen from every quarter
Hoeked to him; MIR. Webster from tn. Nor,h Mr.
Clay from the West, and politicians FROM Phia,iel-
phia he conversed freely with all on all subjects;
giving out bis own lights srd receiving those of
others. NeitEeTlm MS conversation, nor COR
respondence, was he the echo TO which MIR.
Walsh would reduce him--As to the
subjects particularly, which he treats of in
HE letter, he was novice He had srent the
greater Part OF his life in the public service He
hsd been PRESIDENT egh years. Who has enioyed
better opportunity ofrehectng on subjects touch.
Ing the Administration Of the government who
had thought more profoundly on the constitution
who could judge mere independenfiv. more
impaTfiaHy, more thoroughly, than he, who in
the bosom OF retirement could calmly review
his own acts anG principles, and scrutnize those of
o. hers lie would new have pressed any opinions
about the constitution Of his country he yyosld
scarcely nave written them down, under belief
that they were to go To the world; without
having most seriously dsbeIaied upon them Yet
such L. the fact with respect of the strongest
letters from his pen. To discredit sbe desire of
coincidnS with the sentiments OF his cotresoon.
dent, ~ oud he have sacrificed the dependence of
his own mind. MIR. Walsh does not do him
Jnsuce.-Does he expect by such course 10 win
the appooatlon OF tue peopleS Is il right thus To
sacrifice the good name OF dr. Jefferson TO the
Cause OF the Administration, VIVA, will the pub-
Tic think OF man who declares that - Mr. Jeffer-
sons letter countenance-, IN a degree, the execu-
ZION OF that proJect-a deliberate breach OF faith
and honor! We must be excused for saving
that the insinua'ion is as false il is coarse Mr.
J. never did counienance - deliberate breach of
faith and honor" IL is still more OF esnptuo,,s for
any man TO say so; since ne undertakes TO nudge
between Mr.. Giles and Mr.. Adams unless NJ,
a. has disclosed TO that man the communications
he made TO Mr.. Giles.
Nor is the Nalionql Intelligencer more for,u
nate IN It's attempt 10 break the force of the blow
" Oae word, before we qu, this subject rela
tive 10 the use made of Mr.. Jefferson's s.nti-
ments, concerning any of the political men of the
present day. On that point, we conceive MIR
Jeherson's opinion, one way or the other 10 be
oil comparatively little consequence. He knew
the present generation, their politics. and their
merits, but slightly. For many years before his
dsa n, -he not only did not seek for information
on The politics OF the day, but he even az oiLed H.
lie repeatedly expressed his wish 10 Withdraw,
atogether from politics, and to devote himself to
MS domestic concerns and his darling University
lie read, it is believed, no newsyaper bur the
Richmond Enquirer, and hardly that. From tina,
journal we viii not say that he got false imp,ts-
sionS-lor such language would not comport with
our opinion OF The general character of he Eh-
quner-but he certainly must have received martial
views, aud was likely adopt those opinions, in
regard TO passing eYeLts WHICH the Enouirer itself
chose TO put forth"
Mr.. Jefferson did Withdrew himself from
Poiiucs lie was leased by some correspondents on
SUCH sublects; be would sometimes attempt TO
AVOID opportunities by pleading his disposition for
retirement But HE mind was never weaned from
ponies IL could not he. With him. habit was
second nature. lie was an attentive Locker On
OF passing events; & know, that tie doctrines of
Mf Addms's Message shocked him beyond mea
sure lie talked on politics iIeey. The Editor
OF the iheliigencer must Us Tor saving II il
ridiculous 10 argue that Mr.. Jefferson would tax
any partial visws on great, general subjects from
any newspaper. lie wa- not Ihe man Tor thu no
TOOK none OF his opinions on trust; certaiIV moi
rom The columns OF paper. 49, Equally ridiculous
Is II now TO say that his opinion concerning mn,
OF the political men Of the present day. is Oh
comparatively little consequence;'' after the des-
peTste attempt, that has been made to enlist his
opinions against General Jackson! BY the bye the
inteilgencer IS pleased to say again. that its most
positive proof shall I've produced, If the Richmond
Enquirer will dare to deny that MIR. Jefferson ut
tered The sentiment imputed TO him" IL is idle
Tor the lnteligencer to throw out Ibis declaration
alter what 1t has formerly threatened, and after
"ha' we have repeated ia our papers Vi 9th uIt.
and lth and 18th inst
w e have doubt, that what Mr. J. has said
in his letter TO Mr. Giles was carefully considered
before was ut'eredi that 1t costsined his most de-
iIoersie impression about the "Sgas Of the Times.
ana the doctrines OF the present AdmnstratIon-
and that he was not friendly to Mr.. Ada,ns's re-
election
as to Mr.. Adams's communications 10 Mgssrs
TILES and Jefferson, have no doubt that the fol.
loving Communication is correct; and that the
Evening Post j. mistaken in its view of the Is,s,
or unguarjed IN The words it has EMPLOYED Tia,
Mr. } does confirm what sir. G.. il understand
to nave stated, (yiz Mr.. Adams's assigning a. m.
fsas'n OF bic change OF party, that On sitei Ut wa.
on ioot Dy Eastern fedefslisis 10 sever The Eas.
'ern States from the Union in some shape or O.
'her') no one, we rfssame, can doubt, after read