Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1851-08-14

Mountains. and westward to the Pacific
Ocean. Mr.. Jefferson also introduced the
practice of communicating with Congress by
message. instead OF By personal address a
practice followed by all the Presidents since
his time. I he foreign relations of the United
States during the whole time of his admins
tration were in very perplexing condition,
yet he managed with so much firmness, that
he kept other powers at bey, and highly ex-
alted our Republic among the family of ma
tions.
At the close Of his second Presidential term
Mr.. Jefferson retired TO private life, and amid
the quiet scenes of Monticello, he spent the
remaining seventeen years of his being, in
philosophical and agricultural pursuits
Through his instrumentality, "a university was
founded in 1918, at Charlottesville, near Mon
ticello, of which he was rector until his death,
and liberal patron as Far as his means would
allow.
Toward the close of his life. his pecuniary
affairs became embarrassed, and he was o5li-
ged to sell his library, which Congress
purchased for thirty thousand dollars. A
short time previous to his death, he received
permission from the Legislature of Virginia.
to dispose of his estate by lottery, to prevent
its being sacrificed TO pay his debts. He did
not live to see il consumated.
In the spring of 1926, his bodily infrma-
ties greatly increased, and in June he was
confined wholly to his bed. About the first
Of July he seemed free from disease, and his
friends had hopes of his recovery but it was
his own conviction that he should die, and he
gave directions accordingly. On the third,
he inquired the day of the month. On be-
ing told. ne expressed an ardent desire to live
until the next dav, to breathe the air Of the
fiftieth anniversary of his country's indepen-
dence. His wish was granted; and on the
morning of the fourth. after having expressed
his gratitude to his friends and servants for
their care. he said with a distinct voice, g
resign myself to ny God, and my child to
my County" These were his last words,
and about noon of that glorious day he expi-
red Il wat most remarkable coincidence
that two of the committee (Mr. Adams and
Mr.. Jefferson) who drew up the Declaration
of Independence who signed it ; who sue
cessively held the Office of Chief Magistrate.
should have died at nearly the same hour on
the ffteth anniversary of the same act.
/ He was a little over eighty-three years Of
ace at the time of his death. Mr.. J fferson's
manner was simple but dignihed, and his con
versational powers We're of the rarest value
lie was exceedingly kind and benevolent. al
indulgent m aster to his servants, liberal and
friendly to his neighbors. He possessed re-
markable equanimity of temper, and it is said
he was never seen in passion. His friend
ship was lasting and ardent; and he was con
fding and never distustful.
In religion he was freethinker; in morals
pure and unspotted; in politics, patriotic
honest, ardent and benevolent. Respecting
his political character, there was (and still
isl a great diversity of opinion, and we are
not yet far enough removed from the theatr,
of his acts to Judge of them dlsPassionately
and Justly. His life was devoted to his coun
try; the results of his acts whatever it may
be, is legacy to mankind.