Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1843-07-31
NJ jefferson and he A~crican syrtcu,--rnd Mr..


NJ. jefferson and ihe Amerioan Sysfem--dnd Mr..
Clay.
In NILES Register for lS30-that most valuable
compendium of American Hstory--we find the an
nexcd letter from Mr.. jefferson. Ittclls tale new
To many, who are in the habit Of swearing by all
MIR. Jefierson's opinions--and who, nevertheless.
through ignorance. or some less excuSablc cause.
are accustomed To quote him as authority for their
denunciations OF Mr.. Clay and the American S,s-
tenn. " From previous letter, written in 1917. it
! appears that he was the man who first called the
Tariff the American System. and gloried in its
adoption.
From Nies' Register. Jniy Ord. 1880.
"ln early iein the ,igor Of his intellect Mr. jefferson
certainly warmly favor OF the protecting SYSTEM His
report ON the fisheries after he called the depart
rneni OF by president Washington and hundreds
other things ready proof OF it, Among them he sug
gesed high duties To induce manufacturers To into
these s,aes and in his si message congress he spoke
the protection OF manuiacmresin latter OF prohibit
tons to insure such proecon And what says his letters
to Messs Austin and Leper with that inserted below and
large number OF othorsl Yet would make him
To have been enemy OF the American System! by his
letter OF the Goth June 1917 published paper OF the
18th u,imo 1884, appears that he the author Of
this significant teruwheh fully recognized in the
letter below and Creates, extent that the most
among Us contend for lie appeals for his sentiments in ia
vo OF that system to the whoo of his past life and policy
Ho asks 'why should travel Europe for suppes-Mr
Clay himself never said any thing stronger than the third
paragraph of this letter. and yet Mr. Jefferson held up
douded people in the south enemy the protecting
principles all letters OF this character being suppressedand
Others o different tendency least that may bear
different construction, proclaimed and repeated.
Ills nane with the venerable OF Madison is also
used by the nulhers to support their unhoy purposes
which will equally bring shame upon those concerned
speei they have for the iustous author OF the Declaration
OF independence deceased the revercd father the Con-
sntuton still living.
MR. JEFFERSON AND MR. CLAY.
The Rhode Island Literary Subatcrn Of the 25th instant
contains interesting letter. which suboin from Mr.
Jefferson "to distinguished manufacturer and capitalist
Massachusetts"
"MOateellO, Nay -, 1923.
Dear Sir have received your letter Of the 10Th OF this
month; and at the time delivered by Captain
Barlow piece OF domestic fabric called negro cloth
ing twenty yards for my acceptance and inspection
thank You for the kind and very Siieng expressions
tanned IN your letter. and for the handsome present OF the
CLOTH should be hsppy you something solid
than empty thanks.
have examined the cloth and although am of opinion
that 1t is well calculated for the dress OF negro slaves who
reside IN South Carolina and the genial climates OF the
South, am fearful that would found adequate
the wants of the Virginia slave For the summer would
be too warm-or the winter too cold; STILL If you can i'm
prove the fabric by putting little wool in the filing
and mixing little with the warp, do not know but might
be found adequate 10 all our purposes.
lou ask my opinion OF the American system Relative
TO that somewhat absorbing question: should hope that
the whole OF past life and policy had given satisfactory
reply have always been ofopinon that the people OF this
nation should manufacture all the iabrcks that their eXgen
cles demand, they do and that they with
applying 10 the workshops Of England France and Ger
many who will doubt COttons and woolens make in
rare abundance and Of quality quite good enough
swer all wants and demands; why then should
TO Europe for supplies For silks and fine linens
we must Tor some time 20 the workshops OF Eu
rope; but hppehend that the day Is not tar distant when
even they will be manufactured by native industry.
gu ask my opinion OF the OF Mr.. Henry Clay and
ms policy tor tile protection OF domestic industry aud
nuiacures. These questions which feel some deca
cy about answering, first, because Mr. Clay cand
date Tor the Presidency and secondly never yet fully un
derstood to what ends his policy and although will
advance my opinions relative the questions you put
me, must beg that you will this Junciurc give my
views 10 the public through the press. As for Mr.. Clay
consider HIM 10 be OF the talented and brilliant
ana statesmen that the has produced and
should live many years longer hope him hold the
place OF chief executive of the American republic His ca
Tce thus tar in life has been glory and he has
achieved that for his Country whilst engaged in her cause
which would ornament the brightest place the escucheon
oi the most favored statesman Of any oge say
thus much IN reply TO your nteogatoes, but said be-
Tore do not wish TO have my remarks given the press
tor the simple that this involved in po
iical excitement, in which disposed To take
pat as have long since resolved To take part in
the politics OF the times. My wrist which is quite lnme
admonishes discontinue tins hasty note With as
surances of the most perfect respect.
am your obliged fellow citizen,
THOMAS JEFFERSON