The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1856-12-11
The Webster Correspondence,


correspondence of Daniel Webster, the par
ticuiars OF visit made by him 10 Mr.. JEFF
ferson many years ago. This week we give
Jefferson's opinions of Patrick Henry and
Gen. jackson. If our memory serves us,
Mr.. Jefferson entertained n prejudice against
jackson, growing out Of the Burr fillibus.
tering expedition, though he could not fas
ten charge upon him. AS to Henry,-
being nnletterej, hut highly talented-a
natural sentiment Of contempt was enter
taineo for him by one who was exceeding
ly vain of his requirements and whose self
lore had been immeasurat,y pampered by
by the enthusiasm with which his draft of
the Declaration of Independence had been
received by his coun,rymen. These weak
points in the otherwise noble character Of
Mr.. Jefferson will explain the harshness
apparent in his opinion OF his illustrious
contemporaries:
Mr.. JEFFERSON OPINION OF PATRICK
HENRY.-Pa,rick Henry was originally a
bar keeper. lie married very yonng, and
going into same business. on his own ac-
count, was bankrupt before the year WAS
out. When WAS about the age of fifteen.
left the school here, 10 90 10 the college
at Williamsburg. ] stopped Il few days AT
friends in the county of Louisa. There
| first saw and became acquainted with
Patrick Henry. Having spent the Christ.
mas holidays there, ! proceeded TO Viii
lamshurg. Some questions arose abou,
my admission, as my preparatory studies
had not been pursued at the school connect
ell with that institution. This DELAYED my
admission about a fortnight, at which time
Henry appeared in Williamsburg, and ap
piled for license to practice law. having
| commenced the study of it at or subsequent.
y to the time Of my meeting him in Loui.
81. There were four examiners, Wvthe,
Pendle,on, Peyton Randolph and John
Randolph. Wythe aud Pendlcton mt once
rejected his application. The two Ran
dUlphs, by his importunitr, were prevailed
upon TO sign the license; and having ob
tained their signatures. lie applied again to
Pendleton, and afer much entreaty and
many promises of future study, succeeded
in obtaining his. lie then turned out for
II practicing lawyer. The first case which
brought him into notice WAS contested
election. in which lie appeared rs counsel be.
foIe committee OF the House of Burgcsses
His second was the Parsons cause, already
well known. These and similar efforts
soon obtained for him so much reputation.
that he wa9 elected member Of the Legis.
lature. lie was as well suited to the times
as any man ever was, and i, is not now
i,,t shn 4 b, -
out Patrick Henry. He was far before all
in maintaining the spirit of the Revolution.
His influence WAS most extensive with the
members from the upper counties, and his
boldneSs and their votes overawed and con.
troled the more cool or the more liinid ar.
Istocratic gentlemen Of the lower part OF the
State. His eIoquence was peculiar, if in
deed it should be called eloquence for it
WAS impressive and sublime. beyond what
can be imagined. Although it was difficult
when he had spoken to tell what he had
said, yet, while he was speaking, it always
seemed directly to the point. When he
had SPOKEN in opposition to my opinion,
had produced a great effect, and myself
been highly delighted and moved, | have
| asked myself when he ceased: "What the
devil has he saidi" | could never answer
the inquiry His person was of full size.
| and his manner and voice free and manly.
His utterance neither very fast nor very
slow. His speeches generally short. f ON
| quarter to n half an hour. His pronun.
citation was vulgar and vicious, but it was
forgotten while he was speaking
He was man of very little knowledge
of any sort; he read nothing. and had no
books. Returning one November from Al.
bemarle court, he borrowed of me Hume's
Essays, in two volumes, saving he should
have leisure in the winter for reading. I'm
the spring he returned them, and declared he
had not been able TO 60 further than TWEEN.
~ or thirty pages in the FIRST volume. lie
wrote almost noihing-hc could not write.
The resolutions Of rs, which have been as.
cribed TO him. have by many been suppos
ed 10 have been written by Mr.. johnson.
who acted rs his second on that occasion;
but it they were written by Henry himself,
they are not such as to prove any power of
composition. Neither in politics nor in his
profession was h0 man of business; he
was n man for debate only. His biographer
says that he read Plutarch every wear. |
doubt whether he ever read volume of il
in his life. His temper was excellent. and
he generally observed decorum in debate
On one or two occasions | have seen him
angry, and his anger was terrible; those
who witnessed it were no, disposed to rouse
j, again. In his opinions he was yielding
and practicable, and not disposed to differ
from his friends. In private conversation
he was agreeable and facetious. and, while
in genleel society, he appeared to under
stand all the decancies aud prophecies Of
it; but, in his heart, he preferred low soce
ty, and sought it rs often as possible. lie
would hunt in the pine woods Of Fluvanna.
with oVerseers, aud people of that descrip
ton, living in n camp Tor fortnight at u
time without a change of raiment. | have
often been astonished at his command of