Wheeling compiler. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [i.e. W. Va.]) 1829-1831, 1829-07-15
From the Richmond Compiler.
Mr.. JEFFERSON'S WORKS.

nom me proposed COTTON OF Mr.. JelIeT-
sons Works proved so acceptable TO our
readers, we canno; resist the temptation
of LAYING before them two further copious
extracts. We have been favored with the
opportunity Of examining the two first vol
umes, elegantly printed and bound at
Charlottesville. The 3rd volume Is in a
great state Of forwardness--and in a few
weeks the entire four volumes will be com.
pleted aud ready for delivery.
The lst No. of the Virginia Literary
Museum and Journal of Bellies Letters,
Arts, &c" published under the auspices
of tbc University of Virginia reached US
yeslcrday-and among the other interest
inc articles which it contains it presents a
paragraph upon this subect--stalng that
the whole work of the ".NemOr aud Cor
rcspondence of NJ. JcferSon," may be
expected in the month Of August. 1t states
that
The edition will consist off, 600 copies
of which fifteen hundred have been already
subscribed for, in Virginia, one thousand
m Alabama and Mississippi, and five hun
dred in Tennessee, and agents are sui
making additions to the list IN those states.
Hts a singular circumstance, that not more
than a hundred and fifty copies have been
subscribed for to the north Of Maryland
some strange miscalculatlon must have
been made regarding the probable sale OF
this valuable and interesting book. We
have it from the best authority, that the
Editor and Proprietor was offered, IN PhIl-
adclphia one dollar a copy--the bookseller
not binding himself TO publish more than
fifteen hundred copies; yet the greater part
of this edition ofsix thousand has already
been taken at ten dollars each copy! The
work is got up in every respect, IN man
ner highly creditable to the parties con
cerned
The first volume before us opens with
Mr. Jeferson's Memoir, written by his
own hand. 1t gives a sketch of his own
life down to the year 1890, when he be-
came Secretary of State under General
Washington-embracing a very interest
ing view of the early transactions both OF
our own and the French Revolutions
The first volume also contains an appendix
TO the Newfoundland Mr.. Jefcrson's
Letters during the American Revolution
and, a portion OF his CORES pondence from
France, beginning with Oct. 1871. The
second volume carries on his letters from
France. The other two volumes are TO
embrace his Ana, or notes Of Conyersa-
tons whilst be was Secretary Of State,
with President Washington and others
high in office, Memoranda of Cabinet
Counsels. &c. both under Gen: Washing
TOMS administration aud under his own,
together with his letters 10 the year 1909,
and afterwards to the period Of his death.
But to return from this analysis TO our
proposed extracts. The first extract Is
the Commencementj the second the con
clusion of his Memoir We lay them be
fore our readers, assured that they will be
rewarded by the contents for the time tax
en- uy in their perusal:
COMMENCEMENT OF TIE MEMOIR
January 6, 1S2l.--At the age Of u, !
began TO make some memoranda, and state
some recollection Of dates aud facts con
corning myself for my own more ready
reference, and for the information Of my
family.
The tradition Of my fathers family was,
that their ancestors came to this country
from Wales, and from near the mountains
Of Snowden, the highest in Great Britain.
noted once a case from Wales, in the law
reports. where a person Of our name was
either plaintiff or defendant: and one Of
the same was secretary 10 the Virginia
Company. These are the only instances
in which have met with the name iE that
country. ! have found it in our early re-
cords; but the first particular information
have of any ancestor was Of my grand
father who lived at the place in Chester
field called Osborne's, 81 owned the lands
afterwards the glebe Of the parish. lie
had thee sons; Thomas, who died young,
Field, who settled on the waters Of the
Roanoke, and LEFT several descendants,
and Peter, my father, who settled on the
lands ! still own, called Shadwell, adioin-
ing my present residence. He was born
Feb. %, l107-S, and internarried 1879.
with Jane Randolph, of the age Of 10,
daughter of lsham Randolph, one Of the
seven sons Of that name and family settled
at Dungerness in Goochland.-T trace
their pedigree far back in England and
Scotland, to which lei every one ascribe
the faith and merit he chooses.
My fathers education had been quite
neglected; but being of strong rnnd'
-rffuI 4 .s.fsn a.