Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-07-16
From the Virginia Advocate.
Ertrac. from the unpublished Manuscripts
orMR. JEFFERSON.
To Din. WALTER JONES.


DEAN SlR-I deplore with you the putrid slate
into which our newspapers have passed, and The
maligni,v, the yulgari,y, and mendacious spirit
OF those who write Tor Them; and enclose you
a recent sample, the production OF New Eng
land Judge, as proof Of The abyss Of degrade
lion into which we have fallen. These ordures
are rapidly deprasing he public ,as:r, and les
soning its relish for sound food. AS vehicles
Of information, and curb on our funclionaries
they have rendered themselves useless, by for
feiting all lille 10 belief That this has in a
great degree been produced by the violence x
maligni'y Of party spirit agree with you; and
have ead with great pleasure The paper you
inclosed me on that subject, which now return,
II is at the same time prrfecI model oil the style
Of discussion which candor & decency should
observe, of the tome which renders difference OF
opinion even amiable, and snccinct, correct,
and dispassiona,e History of the origin and pro-
gress Of party among II might be moor
porated, as it stands, and without changing a
WORD, into the history OF the present epoch, and
would give toposteiiryo fsrer view Of the tim S
than they will probably derive from other sour
ces. In reading ii with great satisfaction there
was but single passage where wished a III.
tie more de,elopement OF very sound and
Catholic Idea, single in:ercala'ion to rest Il,
solidly on true bottom. ii is near the end oil
the lst page, where you make statement oil
genuine republican maxims; saying THAT the
people ought TO possess as much political pow
er as can possibly consist with the order and
security OF society" Instead Of this | would
say, cha, the people being the only safe de,
posirory Of pnwer. should exercise in person
every function which their qualifications enable
them TO exercise consistently with the order
and security of society; that we now lind them
equal 10 the election of those who shall be m
vested with thtirexcculivc and Legislative pow>
ers, and 10 act themselves i'll the judiciary, as
judges in questions OF fact; that III, range oil
their powers ought TO be enlarged eci.' his
gives both the reason and disqualification of the
maxim you express shat they ought 10 possess
as much political power Sc see nothing 10
correct either in your facts or principles.
You say that in taking Gen Washington on
your shoulders, to bear him harmless through
the Federal Coalition, YOU encounter prrllous
topic. do not think so; you have given the
genuine history Of the course Of his mind
through the trying scenes in which II was en-
gagged, and OF the seductionS by which II was
deceived, but no, depravtd. think knew
Gen. Washington Intimately and thoroughly;
and were called Oh 10 delineate his Character
i, should he in terms ike these.
His nina was gre al and powerful, withoa'
being Of The very list order; his renetration
strong. though not So acne as that OF New
ton, Bacon, or Locke; and as far as he saw, no
judgement was ever sounder 1t was slow in
operation, being little sided BY nvtntion or inn
apiralion, out sure in coUrIus1on.
common remak of his officers. OF he advantage
he derived from councils Of war, where hearing
all suggestions, he selected whatever was best;
and certainly no General ever planned his oat-
ties more iudioously. But il derangcd during
the course Of the action, ii any member oil his
plan was dislocated ny sudden circumstances,
he VAS slow in REIMBURSEMENT The consequence
was hat he often failed in the field, and rarciy
against an enemy in station, as al Boston a. q
York He was lnc apable of fear, meeting per-
sonal dangers with the camest unconcern.-
Pe,haps the s,ronges, feature in his character
was prudence, never acting until every circum'
stance. every consideration was ma'urely weigh
ed: ref aiming If he saw doubt, but, when once
decided, going through with his purpose what
ever oh tacles opposed.His istegriy was most
pure. his justice the mos, naexlblf have ever
known. no motives of interest or consequently,
Of frie ndship or hatred, being abb" to bias his
deci ion. He was indeed, in every sense OF the
word, wise, good AID great man. hts
-mpcr WAS naturally irrI ane and hign toned;
but r, hec,ion and reso ution had obi ined hrm
and habilual ascend, ncy over it. fever how
yer it brukc its bonds he was most tremendous
in his wrath In his rxpences ht was honorable,
~, exact; liberal in contributions TO wha ever
oromi ed utility; but frowuing ard unyield-
ing OF all visionary projects and al unwor
ny calls on his charity HIS heart was not
warm in it's elections; but hr exactly CAL
uard every mans value. and gave nm
solid esteem proportional 20 il Fills person,
YOU know, wa, fin', his stature exactly whatone
would wish his depur ment easy, erect and nos
ole; the brs, horsrman OF his age, and the most
ora eiul Ggure ,ha, could he sen on horse
I hack ho', in the citole of his friends,
- here h. NIGH; b. unr. served with satt'y, hf
took free snare IN conVersau"n, his oo''"quial
talents were no, above III, diocrity, possess
neither copi"u mess of ideas, no. aueney OF
words. H. public when a!led on Tor sudden
opinion, h. wa, unready, show all embarrass-
ed. YET he wroe gd,!y, rather d'ffosely, IN a
correc, style THIS h had acquir' by con
ve sation with The world, for his educ alton " as
Il sNfxt,a rlt