Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1843-08-18
From the Baltimore American.
Mr.. JEFFERSON AND THE AMER.
ICAN SYSTEM.

sOO~
Joined letter from Mr. Jefferson is pub
iisbsd. Il was copied from the Rhode
Island Literary Subalern, which states
that it was addressed to distinguished
manufacturer and capitalist of Massa.
chusetts. The sentiments expressed in
the letter relative TO the protective poll.
cy are in accordance with the views
maintained by Mr.. Jefferson in his ear
Dier life. II appears indeed from let
ter Of his written 10 1917, and referred
TO by the Register, that he was the au
thor Of the term american System" as
applied TO the policy OF sustaining do,
mesIic industry The annexed letter Is
from the Register OF July Sd, 1880;
"Mmticello, May 25, 1923.
Dear Sir--l have received your letter
oI the 10Th Of this month; and at the |
same time was delivered me by Captain
Barlow piece Of domestic fabric called
negro clo,h containing twenty six yards
for my acce ptance and inspection.
thank you for the kind and very hatter.
ing expressions contained 10 your letter;
and for the handsome present OF the
cloth, should be happy to return you
something more solid than empty
thanks.
! have examined the cloth, and al
though, am Of opinion that it is well cal
culaIed for The dress Of negro slaves.
who reside 10 South Carolina and the
more genial climates Of the South, am
fearful that ii would not be found ade-
quale 10 the wants o( the Virginia slave.
For the summer, it would be too warm
for The winter, too cold; still, if you
can improve the fabric by putting iItIe
more wool IN the filing, and mixing a
little with the warp, do not know but
it might be found adequate to all our
purposes.
You ask my opinion OF the American
system? Relative to that somewhat ab
sOrbiug question, should hope that The
whole Of my past life and policy had Civ
en- a satisfactory reply. | have always
been Of opinion that the people Of this
nation should manufacture all the IA
brics that their exigencies demand, il
they can do SO, and that they can do SC
without applying to the workshops OF
England, France and Germany, who will
doubI2 Collons and wOollens We make
in rare abundance, and OF quality quite
good enough 10 answer all our wants
and demands; why then should we trav
el to Europe Tor our suppies9 For oul
silks and fine linens, we must for some
time to come go 10 the workshops oI Eu
rope; but apprehend that the day is no
far distant when even they will bt
manufactured by native industry.
You ask my opinion Of the merits o
Mr.. Henry Clay and his policy for lht
projection OF domestic industry and man
ufactures. These are questions whicl
feel some deIiCacy about answering
first, because Mr.. Clay is now a candi
date for tho Presidency, and secondly,
never yet fully understood to what end
his policy extends and although vii
advance my opinions relative to tn
questions you put to me, must beg ths
YOU will not at this juncture give m
viewsl TO the public through the press
As for Mr.. ClaV, consider him to b
one Of the most talented and briIliar
men and statesmen that the country hB
ever produced, and should live man
years longer, hope to see him hold III
place of the chief executive of the Ame
lean republic. Ills career, thus far
life, has been a career of glory, and h
has achieved that for his country, Will
engaged IN her cause, which would o
nament the brightest place in the escut
cheon of the most favored statesman
any age or nation say thus much
reply to your inlerrogatories, but, as
said before, do not wish TO have my r
marks given 10 the press, for the sin
pie reason that this country is involve
ina political excitement, of which a
not disposed TO take part, as have loi
sInce resolved not TO take part in t
politics Of tho times Ny wrist, viii
10 quite lame admonishes me to disco
tlpue this hastv note. With assuran
of the most perfect respect.
lam your obliged fellow citizen,
THOMAS JEFFERSON" "
Thu manner in which M. letters
here speaks Of Mr.. Clay would Iced o
to suppose that the Kentucky statesm
was regarded as good democrat by /
head OF The democratic school 1t
true that Mr. Clay was so regarded;
was one OF the leaders Of The democFa
party, and the foremos, champion Of I
war under Madison. He was pror
nent leader Of the Democratic par
when he upheld the Tariff Of 1916