Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1854-07-12
MARTINsBURG, Va, WEDNESDAY MORNING, JULY IL, 1854.
A FOURTH or JULY LETTER.


As apropos to the occasion We copy from
the 4th volume Of Mr.. Jeferson's correspon-
dence the following letter in response to an
Invitation to attend o celebration Of the
Fourth. in the city Of Washington. 1t was
the last letter ever penned by the immortal
author Of the Declaration Of Independence
and was written but ten days before bis death.
Mr.. Jefferson died on the 4th Of July, 1926.
about one o'clock, 7. Nj, just Fifty years at
ter, and within the very hour Of the day, it
ia believed, of the adoption ofthe Declaration
of independence by that Congress. The let
ter was greatly admired ct the time-was
copied by every paper in the Union, and by
many Of the liberal journals 10 England. The
sentiment we have italicised hos been quoted
very often-as often. perhaps, as any Of the
most admired sayings Of Shakespeare. Rich
mond Enquirer.
MONTICELLO. June "a, 1926.
RESPECTED SIR:--The kind invitation ]
received from you on the part Of the citizens
Of tae city of Washington. to be present with
then at their celebration of the iftieth an
niversary Of American independence, as one
Of the surviving signers of an instrument
pregnant With our own, and the fate of the
world, is most fatteriog to myself, and height
ened by the honorable accompaniment pro-
posed for the comfort Of such a journey. 1t
adds sensibly to the sufferings of sickness. to
be deprived by it of a personal participation
in the rejoicings Of that day. But acquies-
cence is a duty, under circumstance not
placed among those we are permitted to con-
troll. should indeed, With peculiar delight,
have met aud exchanged their ~congratula-
tions personally with the small band. the
remnant of that host Of worthless. who joined
with us on that day, in the bold and doubt.
full election we were to make for our country,
between a submission or the sword ; and to
have enjoyed with them the consolatory fact,
that or fellow. others, after half o century
Of experience and prosperity. continue to ap-
prove the choice we made. May it be to the
world. what l believe it will be, (to some
parts sooner, to others later. but finally TO
all, the signal Of arousing men to burst the
chains under which monkish ignorance and
superstitution had persuaded them to bind
themselves, and to assume the blessings and
security of self-government. That form which
we have substituted restores the free right to
the unbounded exercise Of reason and free.
dom Of opinion. All eyes are opened, or
opening. to the rights of man. The general
spread of the ligh. Of conscience has already
laid open to every view the palpable truth,
that the mass Of mankind has not been born
with saddles on their backs, nor a favored
feao booted and spurred. ready to ride them
l~egitimately, by the grace Of God. These
are grounds of hope for others. For our
selves, let the annual return of this day. for
ever refresh our recollections Of these rights,
and an undiminished devotion to them.
! will ask permission to exprcssth pleas
ure with which ] should have met my ancient
n~eighbors of the city of Washington and its
vicinity, with whom ! passed so many years
of a pleasing social intercourse an inter-
course which so much relieved the anxieties
r II. ..-ly.. - In -...-z
deeply engraved in my affections as never to
be forgotten. With my regret that i'll health
forbids me the qualification Of an acceptance,
be pleased to receive for yourself. and those
for whom you write, the assurance Of my
highest respect and friendly attachments.
THOMAS JEFFERSON.
To Roger c. Weightman. Mayor Of Wash
iDgton.