Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-05-16

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God, that his country should be free; and disenthra
ed. should rank Republic among the nations ofthe
earth.
| But let trace INFINITELY The career of Jefer
son Elected, when scarce Of age, 10 the House of
Burgesses then sitting in Williamsburg, he became at
once prominent member, and by powerful appeals to
the people, ard forcble remonstrancps against the
claims of England, he fomented and forwarded The Re-
volution. Ii was owing TO The energetic measures
brought forward by him, that the Legislature
| rel times dissolved By the Governor. But nothing
could damp the ardor Of Jefferson and his associates
for, they dissolved. than find them
assembling in The old Raleigh Tavern, organizing
| sIstance, and still forwarding the Revolution
1t was the Boston Part bill which first lighted the
flame. Jefferson recommended re,aatory measures,
and urged them with so much force, that all the Co.
onles sided with Massachusetts, and resolved
longer TO use English impnrations; and to give more
force this resolve and to the people sense
Of their danger, be moved that general fast be held
throughout Virginia. which wns followed by the other
Coonies and carried into effect the day that Boston
por, closed
The lst of June, I77i, day OF mourning
throughout the land The bells throughout the day
tolled funeral knels Ministers of Religion, in their
long black gowns here raversed the country, and
poured forth inammatory appeals from their pulpit,
while orators in exciting straln3 addressed the people
wherever they could be gathered Terror was abroad
in the land excited by Jefferson, and he turned il to
the hottest OF purposes.
II is wonderful! 10 see what spirit was engendered,
and to what severe Inqulsion all cheerlully submit.
ted to prevent the of British tons-to see
commissioners going from house to house. and search
ing closely from cellar TO garre,o the daughters Of
Virginia, al cas-, aside their accustomed garments
and array themselves in the work Of their own looms
sec them exchange their instruments of music for
the spinning whee! and the weaver's shuttie.-This
was the spirit which made Us free.
These measures, together with the appointment Of
committees of correspondence, evenuated in the call
Of general Congress- which assembled in phladel.
pha in September, IVA. To this Jefferson was dele
gated for he had exercised leading agency in bring
ing it abont, and, TIE language of distn-
gushed writer, ''the Union had its birth place in
his distinguished mind, and first breshed from
his lips" The reputation Of his Revolutionary writ
ings, made him object Of great curiosity with the
MEMBERS which soon changed into admiration and, in
many instances, ripened into friendship.
Events had for years been tending toward the grand
act in the drama, which was now TO be coTsummated,
namely the severance Of the Colonies from the Bri.
tish Crown. July the 1h, 1916, this effected Oh.
what scene to dwell upon Come with me 10 the
hall where the sages Of the Revolution Congress
assembled. Listen TO the exciting debates, which for
three days urged with all the iervor of eoqnence
Mark The eager gaze the passing emotions the atten-
tive ear Of every member; and While each, with ardent
zeal to support his views rusheS to debate-mark the
youngest Of the body, YOUTH spare and tall, Of quiet
aspect who, throughout the time, has remained only
spectator of the scene-mark him well, for it is the
Offspring of his mind which has SO long stood the fiery
ordeal.
But hush It is after midday on The 4lh-the de.
bate has closed-no sound breaks upon the ear-the
hall is like the chamber of death, deep the silence
which reigns throughout-yet IS il filled with life-a
pause-and then the tracing Of name is heard-agan,
and again. with some Joeose remark on death until the
mighty deed is done. Then from Earth to Hea-
ven the glad shouts of Liberty-Then spread the It'd
ngs from Colony 10 Colony, until mountain ard forest
re echoed the story-Then sped winged messengers
hurrving err the Deep repeat the tale asonished
" of he of
ca while Tyrants, bursting with wrath, wicked the aid
Of the God of Battles, aud the red clouds of
vered our horizon.
But the limits of my discourse will not permit me
farther pursue this theme In September, 171G at
his own earnest solicitation, Jefferson permitted TO
resign his seat IN Congress, and return TO Virginia.
Yet scarcely did he 60 So before he received from Con-
gress the appointment OF Commissioner 10 France, in
company Franklln-the youth of thirty, with the
philosopher of seventy. But faterng this appoint
ment have been regarded by him, he declined il;
and for the reasons which had driven him from
the councils of Congress. And here pause and see,
that selfish ambition entered his breast. What
cause think you, could have driven him, in the flush
Of YOUTH covered with glory from the councils Of the
most august assembly the world ever saw:-What have
induced him to decline the mission 10 France? 1t is the
brightest page in his history 1t was, that he might
serve in the Virginia Legislature 10 which he had been
elected from his native county, and assist in the for
nation Of Government.
Here, he had taken his seat, than he
me need series of refornat,ons, without which all
our struggles for independence would have been vain
He abolished the Law of Entail, which accumulated
large Of property IN particular families, thereby
creating arsiocracy of wealth, while at the same
time The property thus accumulated exempt from
| the claims OF honest creditors.
! He abolished the Law Of Primngenitnre, which gave
to the eldest son the entire Inheritance, TO the excu
sion of every other member of the family.
! He asserted the Right Of REPATRIATION, before that
time denied, and explained the principles on which
aliens may become citlzens-or, citizens become aliens
He framed anc had passed, the Bill guaranteeing 10
all Religious freedom
He divided the State into countless and established
Courts of Justice.
He caused the Of Government TO be removed
from Williamsburg to Richmond
lie revised the Laws of his native State and abo-
shed capital punishment in all cases, except
and murder.
And he The first, throughout the world, to move
the abolition Of the African slave trade This s in
deed, but brief and very imperfect recital of OF
the labors of Jefferson, while member Of the Legs
laure. Yet turn The pages OF history, and tell
me around whose name cluster many deeds of pat.
rioc devotion, SO many acts of philanthropy so many
records of the purest Repub'canism, which ever
grnccd the annals Of nation. History, with swell
! ling voice, proclaIms not one.
| And follow me, feow-cl,izens, but moment, and
the same response shall be echoed back from every
heart within the reach OF my voice, Who was Jeffer-
son A descendant from one OF the first families in
the colony inheritiDg P'ihceiy toItunc-ne WAS an
aisiocral BY birth, arstocras by wealth. but Re-
publican in principle. What must have been the mo-
raj energy of That man. who, just entering on the thea
ire Of life, dared oppose himself to the aggregated
wealth, and to all the pride of birth of the colony
dared drag from their lofty heights the artificial dis
tincons Of society, and upon their ruins erect Re-
publican Government, where the great mass of the
people, soyeregns Of the land, should be entitled 10
equal rights, TO equal privileges (,
What The indomitsole sp'r't and philanthropy Of
that man. vino dared oppose himself to the concentra.
ted power Of the church, which had ruled this colony
| with rod Of iron ; A Church Government making
heresy, punishable with death, TO deny its tenets-
compelling persons TO pay heavy tax 10 support q
ministry, 10 which they might be opposed making it
penal TO refuse bnptsm-mprison,ng all Quakers
found within its lins-and ncapacltatIng from being
allie sue, take any gift, legacy act as guardian,
executor, or Administrator, and difqualifyIng from
every Office whether civil military, all those who
disbelieved in either God, the Trinity-said there
were more Gods thaa one, or denied the divine origin
of the scripures-ss if by human edicts, they could
fetler the mind, and force it TO think mere men
| might dictate.
| Such was the Church Government which had ruled
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