The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-10-02

and Of the society Of learned men, distinguishes MN
n the highest circles OF the French capital no court
in Europe had, at that fime, IN Paris, a rsrese"1.
tire commanding enjoying higher rsgara y" Po,'-
fieal knotciedge, for general affainmis", Mu" ~.
MINISTER Of this then infant republic inmeniaiey
his return his native country, al inc
of the Government under the Pfesen, consu'nuo,', -
talents and experience recommended nun 70 rrss'oe'
Washington Tor the first Office IN his GIT lie was
nlaced al the head Of the Department OF state. IN
this situation also he manifested conspicuous Apnny
His correspondence with the ministers OF othef Pc"
ers residing here and his instructions 10 our own
dlo,n.,ir AGENTS abroad are among our abest State
psuers A thorough knowledge Of the laws ana
uxaoes of nations perfect acquaintance with the I'm,
mediate subject before him, great felicity and sun
greater facility in writing show themselves In what
ever effort his official situation called him to make
Ii is believed by competent Judges that the diPiomauc
intercourse OF the Government OF the United States,
from the first meeting OF the Continental Congress IN
I77i 70 the present time, taken together would not
suffer in respect to the talent with which has been
conducted, BY comparison with anything which other
and older States produce and 10 me attainment
Of mis- respectabilty and distinction, Mr. JEFFERSON
has contributed his full part.
On the retirement of General w zshington from inc
Presidency and the election of Mr., Adams TO that
office in 1897 he was chosen Vice President. hiie
presiding in this capacity over the dehperahons "
the Senate, he compiled and published Manua' .,
Parliamentary Practice work OF more labor ahu
more merit than is Indicated by its size II Is now re-
are regulated not only in both Houses OF Congress,
bur in most of the other legislative bodies IN the coun-
try In 1901, he elected President, IN opposition
to Mr.. Adams and reelected IN leOo, by vote APP
proac hing towards unanimIty
From the time of his final retirement from puplic
life, in 1903, Mr.. Jefferson lived as became wise
man Surrounded by affec,ionate friends his ardor
in pursuit of knowledge undiminishedr with uncom-
health and unbroken spirits he was able to ENJOY
largely the rational pleasures Of life and TO parake IN
hat yalh trritv WI he had 50
buted 10 produce, His kindness and hospitality, the
charm of his conversation, the ease OF his manners
the of his requirements and especially the run
store of revolutionary incidents which he possessed
and which he knew when and how TO dispense rem
dered his abode in high degree attractive TO ms adj
hiring countrymen, while his high public and scien,
tfc character drew towards him every intelligent ana
educated traveller from abroad. Both Mr. Adams and
Mr. Jefferson had the pleasure of knowing that the
respect which they largely received, was not paid
to their official stations. They were not men made
great by office but great men, on whom the country
for its own benefit had conferred office There was
that in them which Office did not give and which tie
REIMBURSEMENT Of office did not and could not, take
away In their retirement in the midst of their fellow
citizens themselves private citizens they enjoyed as
high regard and esteem, when filling the most I'M
portant places Of public trust
There remained to Mr.. Jefferson yet one other
work OF patriotism and benefcence the establishment
of university in his native State. To this object ne
devoted years Of ncessant and anxious devotion, and
by the enlightened hberalty Of the Legislature Of
Virginia and the cooperation Of other able and zeal.
Gus friends he lived to il accomplished May all
success attend this infant seminary and may those
who enjoy its advantages often as their eyes shall
rest the neighbonng height recollect what they
to their disinterested and interchangeable benefae-
tor; and may letters honor him who thus labored in
the cause of letters.
Thus useful and thus respected, passed the old age
Of Thomas Jefferson. But time was on its ever
ceaseess wing, and was bringing the last hour of
this illustrious He its approach with I'M
disturbed serenity He counted the moments, as they
pa sed, and beheld that his last sands falling
That day, too, at hand which he had helped to
make immortal One wish, one hope-ifit were not
presumptuous--be in his fantng breast. Could il
be so-might it please God-he would desire--once
more to the sun-once to look abroad on
the scene around him, on the great day Of liberty
Heaven in its mercy, fulfilled that prayer. He saw
that sun-he enjoyed its sacred light-he thanked
God for this mercy and bowed his aged head to the
grave. Felir, rita tantum ciaritate sed etidm
opportunitdte morris"