Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1828-07-29
FROM THE cHARLoTTsvILLE (vA.) ADVOCATE.
Extract from the unpublished Manuscripts
Of Mr.. Jefferson.
To nocron WArrER JONEs

EItrGct from the unpublished lMdVuScf!Pss
Of Mr.. Jefferson,
To DocToR WALTER JoNEs.
MONTICELLO, JAN. I'd, IA.
DEAR SIR 81 deplore with you the putrid
state into which our newspapers have passed,
and the Indignantly, the vulgarlty, and men
dacious spirit of those who write for them !;
and l enclose YOU recent sample, the pro-
duction of a New England Judge, as a proof
of the abyss of degradation into which we
have fallen. These ordures are rapidly
depraving the publick taste, and lessening
its relish for sound food. AS vehicles OF IN
formation, and curb on our functionaries,
they have rendered themselves useless, by
FORGETTING all title to belief. That this has,
in great degree, been produced by the vio-
lence and malignity of party spirit, agree
with you; and have read with great plea
sure the paper you enclosed me on that sub
ject, which now return. 1t is, at the same
time, perfect model of the style Of discus
sion which candour and decency should OBJ
serve, of the tone which renders difference
of opinion even amiable, and succinct,
tcorrect, and dispassionate history of the
origin and progress of party among us. 1t
might be Incorporated, as it stands, and with
out changing word, into the history OF tine
present epoch, and would give to posterity a
fairer view of the times than they will proba-
| bly, derive from other sources. In reading
tit with great satisfaction, there was but a
single passage where wished little more
development of very sound and catholic
idea, single INTERPOLATION to rest it solidly
on true bottom. 1t is near the end of the
first page, where you make statement of
genuine Republican maxims saying that
the People ought to possess as much politi-
cal power as can possibly consist with the
order and security of society" Instead of
this, would say, that the People, being
the only safe depository of power, should
exercise, in person, every function which
their qualifications enable them to exercise,
inconsistency with the order and security of
society that we now find them eqal to the
election of those who shall be invested with
their Executive and Legislative powers, and
to act themselves in the Judiciary, as judges
in questions of fact that the range of their
powers ought to be enlarged" etc. This
gives both the reason and exempliication of
the maxim you express, that they ought to
possess as much political power" &c. see
nothing to correct either in your facts or
principles.
You say, that, iii taking Gen. Washington
on your shoulders, to bear him harmless
through the Federal Coalition, you encounter
a perilous topic. / do not think so; you
have given the genuine history of the course
of his mind through the trying scenes in
which he was engaged, and of the seductions
by which it was deceived, but not depraved.
think knew Gen. Washington intimately
and thoroughly; and, were called on to
deliniate his character, it should be in terms
like these.
His mind was great and powerful, without
being of the very first order; his penetra-
ton strong, though not so acute as that of
Newton, Bacon, or Locke; and, as far as
he saw, no Judgment was ever sounder. 1t
was slow in operation, being little aided by
invention or imagination, but sure In con-
clusion. Hence the common remark of his
officers, of the advantage he derived from
councils of war, where, hearing all sugges-
tons, he selected whatever was best; and
certainly no general ever planed his bat
ties more judiciously. But, if deranged
Der of his plan was dislocated by sudden
circumstances, he was slow in re-adjustment.
The consequence was, that he often failed
in the field, and rarely against an enemy in
| station, as at Boston and York. He was in.
capable of fear, meeting personal dangers
with the calmest unconcern. Perhaps the
strongest feature in his character was pru-
dence, never acting until every circumstance,
every consideration, was maturely weighed !;
refraining if he saw doubt, but, when once
decided, going through with his purpose,
whatever obstacles opposed. His integrity
was most pure, his justice the most infexi-
Bile have ever known, no motives of inter-
est or consanguinity, of friendship or ha-
tired, being able to bias his decision. He
was, indeed, in every sense of the word, a
wise, good, and a great man. His temper
was naturally irritable and high toned: but
reflection and resolution had obtained firm
and habitual ascendency over it. If ever,
however, it broke its bounds, he was most
tremendous in his wrath. In his expenses,
he was honorable, but exact; liberal in
contributions to whatever promised utility /;
but frowning and unyielding on all visiona-
ry projects and all unworthy calls on his
Charity His heart was not warm in its af-
fections; but he exactly calculated every
mans value, and gave him solid esteem
1 Proportioned to it. His person, you know
was fine, his stature exactly what one would
wish, his department easy, erect, and noble !;
the best horseman Of his age, and the most
graceful figure that could be seen on horse
back. Although, in the circle of his friends.
where he might be unreserved with safety,
he took a free share in conversation, his col
ioquial talents were not above mediocrity.
possessing neither copiousness of ideas, nor
fiuency of words. In public, when called
on for sudden opinion, he was unready.
short, and embarrassed. Yet he wrote
readily. rather diffusely, in correct STYLE.
This he had acquired by conversation with
| the world: for his educat;on ,,.s ,,,,.e1--