Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1828-07-29
LANCASTER.
TUESDAY EVENING, JULY %, 1928.


Iron our last page will be found letter of
Thomas Jefferson, which for some cause--we know
not what-has just been brought before the publick
eve It has already been extensively circulated, and
viii undoubtedly continue to spread far and wide
till it finds its way into every ne 7spapcr in the Uni
ted States. sufficient apology for extending itscr
culation will be found in the fact that every thing
which from Jefferson is, to say the least, mat
ter of curiosity, though his opinions are regarded
differently, according as different individuals respect
the man. Jeferson's is peculiarly character
which viii never be viewed with unparalleled minds.
The subject Of this letter, however is deeply inter-
esting and the sentiments expressed in very extra
ordinary; and we are much surprised that SO many
intelligent editors have suffered it to pass through
their columns with silent approval, as in our view
itpresents topicks for remark and reproof
We utterly dissent from the unfounded and unjust
charge brought by Mr.. Jefferson against Washington
and his distinguished associates, of being monarch
ists The calumny had been too often refuted for
Mr. Jefferson to have repeated it so deliberately and
unnecessarily in the calmness of his retirement In
many respects Jeferson's delineation is undoubtedly
correct but it will be viewed with extreme dstrust
by those who know his habtual enmity to Washing
ton. We have no idea of discussing the merits of
this extraordinary paper. 1t will not We are conf
dent, be suffered to become matter of history with
out an accompanying exposition of its unjust and
disingenuous sentiments. ,
GFSince writing the foregoing, we have met with
some candid remarks in the New-York American on
this subject, which have transferred to col
umns. The American is republican, newspaper,
which circumstance, in the view of some, may at
tach additional weight to its See page
GEORGE HORTON. We find in the Ra-
leigh North Cardinal Star, the following
account of the extraordinary young slave
named George Horton, Of whose wonderful
poetick talent we have published number
of specimens in this Gazette. He is the
property of Mr.. James Horton, who lives in
Chatham County, N. c., about half way be-
tween Chapel Hill and Peterborough =
q He is about Is years of age, and Of a mild and
humble disposition and department. The following
account of his beginning and progress in learning
was derived from himself and has been communicate
cd 10 US by friend proverbial ofhis philanthropck
feelings. He first learned the alphabet, from hear
ing the school children rehearsing it. He then took
the spelling book and became acquainted with the
form of the letters. Gratifed with such EMPLOY
ment, he was soon able to spell and read AT this
period some person gave him copy of Wesley's
Hymns, with which he was delighted spending most
of his leasure hours in reading it. and when at work
endeavouring to make verses in imitation of it,
Finding himself at loss, In properly constructing
his verses, he studied grammar and prosody. Be-
ing very intimate with the Students Of the Unver-
sty, who had discovered his extraordinary genius he
delighted to visit them whenever Sunday or holi-
day permitted. He received from them, variety of
poetick works the reading of which constitutes his
greatest pleasure They in the habit Of select
ing topcks un0n.whch to exercise his poetck muse
the followiR' 81 he would return and have them
transcribed u is very astonishing he has not
only to make verses, but to retain them in memo
ry, until he can meet with some one to copy them;
and though he may have three or four sets of YER
ses, upon different subjects, his memory is SO re-
tentive, that he has no difficulty in reeountng them
in turn, to his scribe Where an abbreviation is ne
cessary to preserve METRE he will point it out He
has no pleasure in assocating with any but those of
intelligence, and is always most delighted when he
can get an amanuensis to transcrbe his verses and
for this purpose, every Sunday, will walk or 9
miles, to visE the Students of College