The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-03-21

Canaan aTees ia the newspapers in reference 10 the
Jss.rson works in the progress OF publication
der The Supervision OF the Congressional Library Commit
lee have induced Mr., Washington. who has the editorial
supsrnendence OF the publication, address letter Of
explanation 10 the editors Of the Richmond Enquirer 10
answer 10 The complaint that The fret three volumes do
NOT contain much matter MIR Washington says that
4 is 10 great degree true but for the that there
was not much new matter to publish. He adds;
Everything, therefore, comprised in The Jefferson man
uscrp which bad not been Published before, and which
was ali worthy o. publication. has been incorporated In
the present work The editor 10 free admit far the
hrt three volumes concerned that this does
to Any great deal Ia the four volumes OF Correspondence
published by Mr. Randolph bat prepared by Mr.. Jefferson
HIMSELF comprised nearly all his early letters which he
had preserved aud which possessed general interest The
editor been able make additions. bur many
II there other important Ieters written by Mr. Jser
son within the period embraced by the fret three voumes
las no doubt ~efe) they have pershed or least
is certain thar they have not been preserved ia The coec
lion his papers purchased by the government There ID
indeed large amount OF and Interesting for
publication, but belongs later PERIOD and other d
visions Of the work
In answer the suggestion, that the letters addressed
10 Mir Jefferson, well his replies. ought TO be pub
lished. Mr. Washington says thai i, was The object OF
Congress provide for the publication OF the writings OF
Mr. Jefferson, and not those OF his correspondents To
embrace the latter he says would extend the work
thirty forty volumes He proceeds this point as
follows
'In conformity with these views, the immense mass OF
the Jefferson manuscripts purchased by The government
placed in the editors hands, with instructions
make collection of Jeferson's works will exhibit
fairly his views all public questions. and display his
character and ayofDg the pos
sble, such volumes those OF Ham
ton The editor has proceeded in his work in
foniiy with hese just and reasonable views Of the
miee. He has, the hand, confined the publication,
in the main, the writings OF MIR Jefferson On the other
hand he has excluded the writings of other persons
when found necessary explain and interpret
ings. He has, however, inserted ioregs only in
where has considered essential purpose
for all The immense Of leers addressed Mr. Jetfer
might be considered In some degree, necessary
teIpret the letters written by him..
Ii was the wish of The committee that this work should
not exceed-seyen volumes, but Mr.. Washington says ii
cannot be compressed within less than len.
Mr. Washington concludes bis letter as follows:
Fer the information those feel partic ular in
in the Jefferson MSS, and may wish consult Them
for historical other purposes editor will state thar all
papers contained in the collection have any pre-
tension general interest," will be arapged, indered
bound, and deposited among the national archives lhe
State Department, where all who wish may access 10
them 1t is estimated that there viii be between
bred and twenty and hundred and thirty OF these
usenpt volumes Their preparation WILL without accident
be completed in The Of The present spmmer when
they will be bound and deposited together with the index
in the archve office The refuse mattel greater in bulk
probably the selected matler wii he came ne
be returned the STATE Department in The condition in
which it received.
"ln conclusion, have only that, under the in
sruetions Of the Library Committee and the view which
have taken Of my editorial duties, felt myself
liberty cucumber the pablicatios with my
own further Than necessary explain the text and
the which have been appended viii, therefore, be
found be purely explanatory aud historical in char
acter."