Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-07-11


subject Of the biography in the double character Q
actor on the theatres and of the part he ha
acted Wo see his own views of his actions
anu although, for the most part, self compacency MAJ
DC seen to accompany most Of the acts which The
writer ohuses to record, yet there is such an infinite
variety of modes In which this sentiment may mani
Test itself. that even here learn important char
acteristic Of the individual. One man prdes him.
sell thing anoih her, another: one boasts In
Tins way. and another in that; seeks to enhance
his merit by exaggeraion, another by affecting mod
esty, and third prefers to hint or psinuatc his good
qualities. besides, IL il agreeable To con,are a.
We often may do the views Of the writer AZ the te
he is writing, with those which actuated him nj the
ipcrod he Describes Autobiography in nurnbcr.,,.
ways, IN short, affords materials of speculation and
interest, that biography written by another neve,
can. Ii is therefore that the memoirs of Sullv mn
| DE Re,z had such welcome reception in their day
that those OF Rousseau, Marnontol and Cumberlond
nave produced still greater interest since. and tba,
the meagre sketches Of Hume, franklin and Cihhor
have proved such acceptable treats TO the readnn
lion OF mankind. Indeed, such is the charm wheel
autobiography ntrinsically possesses that we can To-
crate and even draw amusement from the cgotistca
illusions and vulgar gossip of PLAYER n musician
or de'nireP, snch as y Keefc Mrs Bcllnmv and Mrs
Robinson, and all that tribe
The American public then, will read with the live
nest curiosity and interest. the brief sketch which
Mr. jefferson has, at the are of IT. here made of hi,
very active and useful public life; and they will no,
iaii to regret that the iustrous author has not ave,
us more complete and finished pictures OF the memo
i"pC scenes ne hhd passed through. and tho
| Cuous characters he had moved amongst, when Nc
find such mastery skill exhibited in these his hasty
sketches lie often hits of the most rikinr features
OF character by single touch of his pencil OF all
ne diS,ingushed individuals who have figured IN the
revolution and the subsequent annals Of this conn
try Mr.. Jefferson i'll occupy n place in the bistory
OF the times, inferior only to that of Washington and
perhaps, Of Franklin. His agency in preparuv tho
puohc mud for the Revoluiion-hs services Us q
member ut Congress--ns Governor of Vrylua-as
one of the Revisers of It's laws-asa Nrco.iatnr-ss
Secretary of State-as President, aud as Founder
OF TINS UrlVer,ty, form together series of services
.na' u" '.'ei can match n number or variety. and
theF "atn up, Nv their utility and nr continuance
g rae .iEt OF the splcndour conferred bv military
fame y '''y
bt we are not going to write the life of Mr. Jeffar
son, thai is familiar To all who will read this fve
Sheet and II At were not, it has been too
theme from one end of our Union to the other 70
make II advisable. We merely wish Ia remind the
reader TINT TINS man. conspicuous for his talents his
services ms tervid devotion to his country md the
cause of civil liberty, has here aven TO the woJ III
own COMMONS of his own most iustrons acts; and
that after he ceased 10 be the narrator o his ou h
sy useiu HE. his letters and correspondence now nj
ven 10 inc world, exhibit his plans and schemes 70 i'm
prove the condition of his country and his onipons
OF men and things. in his own nervous nprsnicuous
and often beautiful composition. We think that
lnese volumes VIII prove To the American reader the
most delicious literary trcat that their own country
has ever afforded. Here the SURVIVING actor of the
Revolution will at once have many fading recollec
lions revived, and learn much that was never bef ~
published To the world Here too the rising genera
ton VIII sec picture faithful as II is spirited nj
that memorn BILE which is sacred i'm his affections
TO whict his imagination ever iondly recurs and OF
which the nlinutes incident is read with the most de-
Iightful interest.
But the pleasure which this work will rive ,s t.
smallest recommendation. 1t is rerletc with political
wisdom Mr. Jefferson's preccpts were drawn from
close observation of the characters Of men as he
hau seen them exhibited in real life, and not as they
are represented in history Firmly persuaded tina, h
man societies competent Ia their own govern
nent, and that their happiness and prosperity are j,
proportion 10 their freedom, he displays great saga
ciy In providing Tor perpeiuatinC that free
dom by either neutrazng the interests and passions
OF individuals, or by making them co-operate tn the
pubhc good. No American can read this book viii
attention without finding himself greatly instruct ed
IN the difficult science of Government nor v,i,,or.
better understanding OF the rationale of our noi,;
cal Institutions. On the less important concerns q,
me- the same quick perception Of rirbt and vrono
ana the same iectous mode of presenting the grounds
OF bIs opinions, conspicuous. The whole ioo is
conveyed III style of the most engaging simplicity.
We have been favOured by the respectable editor
OF this valuable work, with copies OF the volumes
already printed with liberty to make extracts from
them for the Museum, and we shall avail ourselvc,
OF his kindness, BY presenting our readers with OK
tracts from them, SO far can do il without
abusing the power, too mncli f0restahn th,
pleasure which the perusal of the whole work will
confer. MIR. Jefferson thus notices his first appea
ance in that great political drama which las SO mflu
enced the destinies of this country end Of mankind
"When the famous Resolutions of 1865 against the Stamp
act were proposed was student law Williamsburg
auended the debate however, the door Of the lobby
iiore OF Brgesses and heard the splendid display of
Henry talents as popular They great indeed
such as have never heard hom any other lie
to to speak Homer MIR Johnson a LAWYER and
member fron the Northern neck seconded resolutions anc
10y him the learning AMI logic of the were chiefly main
tanned My recoleconS Of transactions NAV he seer
furnished them. N'
n May 1863 meeting of the General Assembly was Gale,
ny the Governor Lord BOteou had then become mean
be and to that meet ting became known JOINT resolution
ana address m the Lords and Commons Of 1853 pro
ceedings ~ Massachusetts Counter and an adj
dress TO the King by the House of Burgesses agreed
with little opposition and spirit manllesy displayed itsrl
OF considering the of Massachusetts common
The Governor dissolved bot the day in Inc
polio o. the Raleigh tavern formed ourselves into voluntary
convention drew up Articles Of association against the use
any merchandise imported from Great Brion, signed aud re
commented them the people, repaired eal coun
tss, and elected any other exception than
'he very few who had declined assent proceedings
The following anecdote we believe has been neye
before published. Ii is quite characteristic of tn,
parties.