Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-11-12
FOR THE ENQUIRER.
MR.. JEFFERSON'S WORKS

IoMs honorable "''-sr"'-" late -"s--.,~ re re
DEAR SIR :-Yon asked oil m, rhsthsr did mot
intend TO reply TO Mr.. Jcfsrsons Wri;inr.-,o
some OF his many m.stateme ns, and refute his Je
cal deductions and conclusions from such erroneous
Prrmses-particulariy as they relate 10 myself and
others whom hold most hish-,h,t Won Believed
possess tho neans more amply perhaps to ACCOMPLISH
'hose ends thsn any one else now living The same
enquiry has bsen inside, ard tho same anxiety CT
pressed, by other pc sonal friends whose opiniop
entitled to too much respect, an their go,d wishe, To-
warde ms, TOO highly valued to call from me som
particular notice and explanation OF my dstermna,nr
and course on these subjscs And TO make on. ,xnI .
nsion answer the same enquiries Of all vbs b,y, The
slightest soieituds for ny humble st,ndag in society
have determined on this as the most general en-
ssti3factorY mode,
u is true, having now read the three first Volume,
oil NJ Jth rsons Writing, and part of the fourth
win great attention and care-I have found much =
admire and much to lamenf,-sncerrIy en- hs .yn ,r.
count, aud on account Of hi, Country in which he de
serves to stand 20 high. This have ated in
the lost fisDdIy and confdsnti,I mann ar IN his
excellent and worthy Grand Son. who has edited ,hos
writing. from vic have made copiou. anil mi
nue Notes. ard occasional remarks, for hi, sole am
whole use, in any future Edition to which he NAV
ehuse to apply them. Further than THE, (unIe .s
something should that has no, vet H.
sell TO me) certainly shall not meddls with n IN
mory Of Mr.. Jefferson; clearly with nom. bu, s,,ch
parts be made the best usrs Of a, b;ob c.'
amrles, and containing valuable principle, and pre
cspts Tor genefai good For this determn alton have
who have the very kindesi and best wishes for INV
persona! welfare, bu, to the whole world.
On reading M. fsTson's Writings now tia, IN -.
storms of party eeags have iubsded and the bette,
calm OF reason, and the clear .ky Of more corree
aud perfect discerDm mt have succeeded; readily
perceive, and csndidy admit that there ware errors
on my part, well as his, in the origin and foun5a-
ton of our political differences; anil therefore have
come to the foregoing dsiermn alton, for the
conclusive and COVE ming reasons 81 Whatever hi.
foibls' may have been, he certainly wac. upon III.
whole, one OF the greatest Apostles that the sacred
cause of Liberty ever had 2. He performed many
paIo'ic ee', either one ct some OF the most psrculs,
ana competitors OF whicb, was sufficient 10 immortal
We any one nams 3. These acts Identified him with
our political existence, and convert his same aud char
sctsr int the common property OF us all. e. We are
oound IN gratitude to cherish such property, the
est and dearest TO our own besrtsto guard IL sKsn At
the reproaches OF Others, hostile to the corrse c, prioe
pes o. which II IL compassionate, TO that end, 10 bury
vim the bestower OF such good, oil the incorrect acts
Of MS whole lie. With thess views IL IL musb 10 h,
iamented that a. much Of these writings have b.
published and expo,sd 10 scrutiny and criticism as bsva
besdas the aboVs considsrs isns, there are otbsrs
when weigh with me particularly and personally, in
rerA'nng from any thing like further hostile course
tswsrcs such doceassd personags, or any thing he
may nave written or left bsbiRd HIN, in any shape or
Term tie has many amsbIs and meritorious dssee nd.
sht', with their Promi'Dg AMI rising generations
Come OF whom nearly and tcbderly allied TO myssli)
on whose Feelings would not iDhct wound, though
should ytsid balsarn In cure any OF my own. With
one OF his near connsctisns, (aiso noto no more
once had mest unpleasant personal affair; which
however, was settled 10 our mutual "a isscdsn. aud
leh me tho bsPpy eonssa'ion to bslevs, that held
his life.
These considersIens srs whist have governed and
determined me on The subset Of Mr. JEFF rsons Writ.
ings. II he has had the bitter aussns 10 me, with
.nt giving my D,me0 as you and some Of my partial
Hienh. seem 70 think, and 80 isclnsd to suspect
myseH then those allusioos nay 20 fer what they are
worth Al the reply shall nsts 10 them, will
be- 10 sEat all Mr.. Js6srsons best principles end scts
rs nigh ss their real distinguished character dessrvss
and then bring that weight Of character and distine
lion down IN later times 10 overbssaee those Iornnsr
utter atusions, (ssmeosed snd recorded in times Of
party heat and political excite ment) to alleviate ssS
soften " not to viPs OF aud soIitsse forever thes.
bitter dLpsions
On the day Of November, 1919, I received from,
Mr. Jefferson lengthy letter, written In his very best
style Of figure and point, in which he ses out thus: