Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1830-07-21
VARIETY.

The s,bjoincsi i-,s-r. written to distinguished
rnanuf.eturvr in the NORTH 10 given to the yaLiic
Ly the Providence Literary Subaiscru.
MONTICELLO, NAY 25. 1898.
Dear Sir have received your let
ter of the 10th Of this month and at
the same time, was delivered me by
Capt. Barlow, a piece Of domestic "a
brio called negro cloth, containing 90
yards, for my acceptance and inspec.
ton. I thank You for tha kind and
very Aattering expressions contained
in your letter; and for the handsome
present Of the cloth, ] should be happy
to return you something more solid
than empty thanks.
/ have examined the cloth. and al.
though am Of opinion that il 10 we'll
calculated for tho dress Of negro slaves,
who reside in South caroIina and the
more genial climates Of the South, I
am fearful that il would lot be found
adequate 10 the wants Of the Virginia
slave. For the summer, il would be
too warm-for the winter. too cold.
Still, IL you could improve the fabric,
by putting little more wool in the
filling, and mixing q little with tho
warp, do not know but il might be
found adequate TO all our purposes.
You ask my opinion Of the American
Systsms Relative to that somewhat
absorbing question, l should hope, that
the whole Of my past life and policy
had given a satisfactory reply. have
always been Of opinion, that the PEG.
pie Of this nation should manufacture
oil the fabrics that their exigencies de-
mand, il they can do so. and that they
can do 30 without applying TO the work
shops Of Err gland, France and Germa-
ny, who will doubt Cottons and
wooIlens we make in rare abundance.
and Of quality quite good enough 10
answer all our wants and demands.
Why then should we travel to Europe
for our supplisss For our silks and
fine linens, we must. for some time 10
come, 60 10 the work shops Of Europe
but ! 4pprehend that the day is not far
distant when even they will be manu-.
featured by native industry.
You ask my opinion Of the merits Of
Mr. Henry CLAY, and his policy for
the protection Of domestic industry and
manufactures. These are questions
which feel some delicacy about an
swering. first. because Mr.. Clay is now
candidate Tor the Presidency, and
secondly. never yet fully understood
to what ends his policy extends; and
although l will advance my opinions
relative to the questions you put to me,
! must beg that you will not at this
Junctore give my views to the public
through the press. As for Mr.. CLAY,
! consider him to be one Of the most ia
tented and brilliant men and statesmen,
that me country has ever produced, and
should ! live many years longer,
hope TO see him hold the place Of chief
executive Of the American republic. -
His career. thus far in lie. has been q
career OF glory, and he has achieved
that for his country whilst engaged in
her cause, which would ornament the
brightest place in the cscutcheon Of the
most favored statesman Of any age or
nation. say thus much in reply 10
your Interrogatorics, but, as l said be.
lore, l do not wish 20 have my remarks
given 10 the press, for the simple rea.
son, that this country is involved in q
political excitement, in which am not
disposed TO take part, as | have long
since resolved not TO take part in the
politics OF the times. My wrist, which
Is quite lame. admonishes me TO dis.
continue this hasiy note. With assn
RANGES of the most perfect respect, /
am your obliged fellow citizen.
THOS. JEFFERSON.