Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-05-29

| "Otnrr combinations strong thonod tJ iaiprns.
sion. They had both been laborcrs in a rrcat and
successful national .t'uS.c. They were ,ha cotn-
mon friends or many eminent ctiHcnS-Such a. Mr.
Madison and Mr.. Monroe. In Il controversy mos,
painful to Mr.. Jctltrson's feelings he had boon in
dcbcd To the dclicacy ior5c france and lbcra'iy of
Gen. Lee How then could be prepared for this
Surviving virulcncc, this tcstamcntary hatred on
his reFu
/ pressing this violent abuse Of Gen. Ice, in terms
so hagrantv unsuitable to the dignity of his cor.
| respondent, he took care &c suppress the mention
/ oi ms name: thus attempting injury, and with.
holding at the timo all means of ts redress.
/ 1t was hardly possible that Cen Washington should
repeat such vague and scurrI!ous ian"uaEE-0nd
as little So if he did, that Gen. Ice should take to
hunsrlf its application. "At Il later dale" we arc
told, in an hour dedicated to the Joys of secret
tnaIevolcnce, Mr. J. fixed this floating defamation
on Gen. Lee. and 1T date still! later, when death
had struck with his tremendous dart, the suLec
oi tins SANDER, and overwhelmed with pious grief
his descendants, bcqucaihcd it 10 poS,crIty, II
lasting outrage to their affection, and public
stigma oa lis name"
For the truth of this assertion, | appeal cOrf-
de"Iyto Mr.. Madison.
Such arc the motives which Mr.. Lee assigns for
lis ''obScrva,ions" on Mr.. Jellcrson's writings; mo-
,iveS it mustb be acknow lodged valid, sufficient, and
every way rriscworthy. 1t is to DO deeply regret
ted by every friend of Mr.. JcfIersons m.mory--by
Justly prize the regulations of eminent men the
richest doSry Of their Country, that the proYoca-
ton was ever given in the publication cf his pos
luminous works, for this attack of Mr.. Lees ard
for others which it may not be doubted, viii fol-
low. Enough might have been selected to elevate
the name of Jefferson, TO establish to the world,
his erhmcnt abilities, and his devotion to human
rights, without mtcrmixng it with cmana'ions
mol, ,.--l
survived in his breast, whic! are calculated to
wound the feelings Of contemporaries and patriots,
to outrage the affections of relatives, and which,
without the merit of Illustrating essential history,
or instructing his fellow citizens, lave re-kindcd
hoSt'liIics which time had suhducd and awakened
much of that aspcry towards himself, which he
had successfully lived down. Bat VIC understand
that for this, his Editor in no wise responsible.
1t Is not incumbent upon 10 pronounce an
opinion upon the success with which Major Lee
has accomplished his task. Through near 2i0
pages he extends invcs,i. alton of Mr.. Jeiicr-
sons writings, ndugins in great freedom and acIi-
mony OF remark, and attempting 10 fix on their
author, the charges of intrigue in>ilccrty. ingra-
titndr, dupiicity, treachcry, and hypocrisy. He
draws his evidence from the ''wriings" themselves.
rs a literary production, his book is eminent
That no cri'ic:scs with great ingenuity, reasons
with great vig9r, dcclaims with great beauty, and
abuses with great elegance commanding an album
damt flow of rich and appropriate language, all
vii; be apt to confess who will read his book
One cannot h'lp regrctting that occasion has been
afforded him of too successful display or his lite
rary abilities, and that he himself is not a man
whom his country may honor, however hq NAV
compel her to admire him.