Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1828-01-12

mt asStefoen. OF lhe ransacti far as il concerns
myself, or may be Interesting to the public On ,a
eth of May iast,-l resolved tic following no,e s,
MIR. Coles ~
2Demlrie, May %. 1927.
DEAR SIH-In!ending &c on, for Illinois in :, fer
days, aud thinking it possible ha, it may become de-
Sraoic to have my rccocctons strengthened bv those
OF others, in IeIaiion 10 some remarks made h., NJ
yeierson WHICH have been repeated BY me- and which
ha'e JUST seen nth surprise have been referred TO
10 Tue newspapers, am induced from nv reco,lnc
non oil conversation which took place between us last
winter, To ask the favor Of ID state what yo,
heard from air Jefferson himself or from others of his
opinion OF en- J qualifications for the Office of pres
ucn' oi The U. s. and of his declaration of the mo, i
cation he had experienced at seeipp the en,rsas,o
uiSP'ay al by !Hs copntrymrn elect Jackson To tbs
Presidency ard The doubts ithGR creete Of the G,,r,
9't'Ey q the RepubHc. should not have trcubIey,
you At this time with this communication but fur ,e
great distance at which reside from each other.
anu 'hc apprehension that the bitterness of party fee,
ing may lead 10 IlinauIeI attack on me as
suie !oo no use will be made of Jour reply unless il
become necessary N Seitdeience resor, 10 Il;
With grea, respect and sincere regard | en-, von,
friend. EDWa RD cor ES,
considered that Mr. Coics' inquiry related only 70
blr Jefersons opinions Of Gen. jackson iniyidsaily
"ilhout reference TO the comparative estimation IN
which we held hun as the Competitor OF Mr. Adams
enuer TINS impression, my answer restricted to
the SUBJECT OF Interrogation, and was Conten,cd 10
state what was required of me- with regard 10 MIR JEFF
eiSoh's opinions of Gen jackson candidate for
these Opinions as then expressed by MIR. Jefe SON.
stated Tie only remark OF his which remembered With
eahceht precision 10 quote IN his own Ai,guage-an
expression which Indicated no alarm for the ssi1r,E
~ o. the Repuhiic but which made more in mirt
than sadness. With respect the clef subject of IN,
qury contained in DR. Coles letter knew nothing
and therefore said noihingp sanins that nv SILENCE
would be certain guarantee against any attempt TO an
ply my statement to purpose for which il was by no
means adapted. The conversation of which smoke ~
hr. Loles took place as informed him, time pre-
Vious no the last Presidential! election which fact was
thought sufficient TO distinguish the opinions of Mr. JEFF
ierson at that time from those ascribed to him bv Mr.
Coles al later period Had Mr. Coles desired il,
should have been equally explicit as 10 the opnions
which Mr. Jefferson al the same time eS pressed of Mr.
adams. should have stated What Mr. CuIes might
not have been SO eager 10 publish, That while NJ. JET
ierSon spoke Illus jest OF Gen Jacsou's elevation 10
the Presidency, he seriously deprecated the cleo
Ton .! Mr.. Adams II portepding most cala,Li
TOYS consequences 10 the country. never heard MIR
Jefferson speak OF the relative merits of General jack
and alF Adams Statement though contrasting
thsE IespecVe qualifications with these OF Mr. Cra,y
ford, he gseauNdspafaged both, and did not hesitate
10 avow deoieed preference ofiic latter gentleman
He spoke OF Ms Adams as The federal candidate
whose election "onld be the restoring the d.
nasty of 49, wi!use Hest and stron1est nro
objections had heea lnlbbed in tie hrh school of III
TIA Fcdeu9 8hnse politica principles however art
iuliy Disguised had under gone change by his preien
ded apostacy. lie regarded Mr adams as learned
rather than wise man politician more specious
than soupdpns'e ssUg many Of the erroneous theories
with little OF toe PRACTICAL abiIity of a statesman MIR
Jefferson often said that the contest should be confined
to only two candidates. Nh. Crawford and Mr. Adams
- that the people might the better discriminate be-
tween the only political distinctions which il involved
90 the occasion Which elici ed he emark to which Mr.
Coles and the oher friends of Mr.. Adams have attach
ed much Importance, MIR. Jefferson spoke of all The
other candidates COntrasted with Mr.. Crow(ord 10
whom they were ali postponed in his estimation. His
opinions expressed me, only contemplated the ex
is;ng state of things, and his ton oiC5enora
IA Anarpi was .lC
rsons of the former and ahborrence OF the latter beinn
urged only as evidence of his preference OF third
candidate.
Thus much have deemed il ncccs,arv 70 state IN
ded the unpleasant task had that alternative remained
TO me after The very partial exposition Of Mr. Coles
That gentleman should have been conscious thai lis
statement OF Mr.. Jefferson'j opinions as detailed In
him in August 1925, derive no corrobot aton from
my letter. referring as ii does 20 different opinions cv
pressed under different circumS ances at the distance
Of years, aud induced by and consider atoms
winch subsequently cease to operate He should have
been aware, moreover, that the public will not long de
lberate, when their decision necessarily involves either
misapprehension his part, an inconsistency ON the
part Of Mr.. Jefferson. Ii needless 10 have referred
10 me Tor proof that mT. Jefferson opposed 20 both
Mr. Adams and Gen jackson prior TO The last cleo
ton If Mr. Coles statement Of lis opinion in 1926
is confirmed by this fae-then ii Is abundantv suh
stanIiaed by the concurrng testimony of thousands
ii II needs other continuation, r. Coles will seek IN
vain for il in the expression contained in INV etter-
This gentleman has not challenged proof as to the
opinion of Mr. Jefferson prior 10 the last election hut
he would quote that opinion, uttered il was in The
same breath which denounced Mr.. Adams as tending
very remotely to strengthen the probability OF his state,
ment. 1t will require something than the mere
d;ctum of any living 20 dscredit the established
fact Of MIR Jeersun's preference ofJacksou since the
election of MIR. Adams.
| ] am not the apoIorst yet the accuser Of any
man. though claim the privilege of rescutng rny ogn
statements from misrep especially :, hen
cd frt lto
is not for 10 exc out Tue scaut measure of proha
biIity which belongs TO the assertions of others ile
the tenor Of Mr.. JeIerson's life and opinions and the
peerless reputation which survives him. defy the vain
effort to prove him inconsistent. IF there be any sub
ect IN the luctuating affairs Of life on which The
sentiments Of the steadfas may be allowed 10
it is found in the comparative qualifications of men for
otce-because these variations occasioned by the
changes incident to man bIrDse regarded he rnuI
be through the faacous medium of his own conduct
But, there is need for This indulgence in the present
instance. Mr.. jefferson only preferred Cen jackson
to MIR. Adams when bY the current Of events nc was
called 10 choose between the two This opin;on in