Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-05-23
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The annexed interesting description of the
personal appearance of Adams and Jefferson,
is extracted from the "Familiar Letters on Pub
lie Characters:"-
"Mr. Adams, on the day of his Inauguration,
March a, 1872 was in his 62d year. He was
dressed in a full suit of pearl colored broad
cloth, with powdered hair. He was then bald
on the top of his head. Mr.. Adams was of mid
die stature, and full person; and of slow, deli
berate manner, unless he was excited; and when
this happened, he expressed himself with great
energy. Mr.. Adams was a nan of strong
mind, of great learning, and of eminent ability
to use knowledge both in speech and writing.
He was ever a man of purest morals: and is
said to have been a firm believer in Christianity,
not from habit and example, but from diligent
investigation of its proofs. He had an uncom-
promising regard for his opinion; and was
strongly contrasted with Washington in this re-
spect. He seemed to have supposed that his
opinion could not be corrected by those of other
men, nor bettered by any comparison.
"He had been, from early manhood, a Jealous
patriot, and had rendered most essential SER
vices to his country, at home and abroad. These
he seems to have had in mind. He well remem.
bered the painful struggle experienced in Eu-
rope, to obtain aid for the patriots at home, and
an acknowledgment of independence, from 60
vernments there, while the war was yetregard-
ed, by England, as rebellion. He ought to have
known, as would seem from his own writings,
in what manner public services are estimated.
Gan individual can easily remember how
much good he has done to a community; but
those who are benefited, as easily forget. Ifpub-
lie ingratitude is common it isvery natural. 1t
is not improbable that Mr. Adams was impatient
in finding how much more the easily understood
services of military men were appreciated, than
were the secluded, though no less important
ones of diplomatic agency and cabinet coun-
sci. So made up, from natural propensities,
and from the circumstances of his life, Mr..
Adams came to the presidency at the time when
more forbearance, and discretion were requir-
ed, than he is supposed to have had. He seems
to have been deficient in the rare excellence Of
attempting to see himself as others saw him;
and he ventured to act as though every body
saw as he saw himself He considered only
what was right in his own view; and that was
to be carried by main force, whatever were the
obstacles.
"When Mr.. Jefferson came to Philadelphia,
in March, 1897, he was about fitty-four years OF
age. His personal appearance, as now recol-
lected was this: He was a tall man, over six
feet in stature; neither full nor thin in body.
His hair was of a reddish tinge, combed loose
H over the forehead; and at the sides, and tied
behind. His complexion was light or sandy.
His forehead, rather high and broad. His eye
brows long and straight; his eyes blue, his cheek
bones high, his face broad beneath his eyes, his
chin long, and his mouth large. His dress was
a black coat, and light under clothes. He had
no polish of manners, but a simplicity and So
briefly of department. He was quiet and unob-
~trusive, and yet a stranger would perceive, that
he was in the presence of one who was not q
common man. His manner of conversing was
calm and deliberate, and free from all gesticu-
lation; but he spoke like one who considered
himself entitled to Difference; and as though he
measured what he said by some standard of
self-complacency. The expression of his face
was that Of thoughtfulness and observation: and,
certainly not that of openness and frankness.
When speaking he did not look at his auditor,
but cast his eyes towards the ceiling, or any
where but at the eye of his auditor. He had al
ready become a parsonage of some distinction,
and an object of curiosity; even to a very young
man. These personal descriptions are from
memory, after the lapse Of many years, and
may not accord with those of persons, who had
more, and better opportunities to observe; and
are not, therefore, offered with confidence, that
MIR. Jefferson is here in all respects, justly de-
scribed."