Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-04-22
From the Boston Post.
THE SAGE OF MONTICELLO.


On the I'd of April, l743, old style, sprang in
to the light of human existence that wise
and intrepid apostle Of American democracy
Thomas Jefferson. lie was one Of the signal
instruments moved by the hand of Providence
IN the germ and infancy of our republic, to
help secure its freedom, TO make an asylum for
the starving and oppressed millions beyond the
Atlantic and the Pacific, TO establish stupen
dous model for other nations to study and copy,
and to aid in shaping its future course and des.
tiny by marking out and pursuing national
policy calculated to recommend itself to the
acceptance of its citizens, and therefore to be-
come permanent in its operation. 1t was he
who drew many Of the resolves and other docu-
ments which preceded the great charter Of our
liberty. 1t was he who sketched and with a
bold hand signed that immortal Declaration of
Independence.
Thomas Jefferson's birth place was in Abe
marie county, Virginia, a little eastward from
the Blue Ridge. When he was but fourteen
his father died, leaving widow, six sons and
two daughters. Ofthese sons Thomas was the
eldest, and had willed to him the homestead Of
his nativity, his life and his death. At the age
OF five he attended an English school, and at
nine began Lain studies. When his father
died he was placed under the tuition Of Rev.
Mr. Maury, and in 1850 he entered William
and Mary College, where he remained for two
years. There he had his foundation laid by
DR.. Small, of Scotland, comprehensive, scien-
tifc, and able teacher. Thence he went to
study law with the celebrated George Wythe,
one of the signers of the Declaration, and after
wards chancellor Of Virginia. When this pa
triot died, in 1906, he bequeathed to Jefferson
his valuable library and philosophical appa.
ratus. In 1857 he began to practice his pro-
fession, and soon attained a high emnence at
the bar. His business was extensive and his
labors arduous. In the midst of his legal &C.
equations he prepared an elaborate volume of
reports. In 1869 he was elected member of
the provincial legislature, and continued such
till the revolution. Here he met and took an
active part with the master spirits of the age
and on momentous questions. When the
famous resolutions against the odius stamp act
were proposed, he was law student; and he
listened TO the stirring oralory and the inspiring
sentiments of Patrick Henry. While Mr..
Jefferson was in the legislature, in 1869, pub
lie dissatisfaction reached its crisis.
On the first Of January, 1872, he married
the daughter Of Mr.. John Wayles of Virginia !;
but in about ten years afierward she died,
leaving TO his care and guardianship two little
daughters. However, in May of 1878 his wife's
father died, and she became possessor OF as
much property as Mr. Jefferson already owned
Public affairs soon became menacing. In
1872, it was considered deliberate blow at
the dearest rights of the citizen, when the order
was issued for persons who were charged with
the commission of offences here to be trans
ported to England for trial. Virginia bestowed
her attention on this momentous point. Her
legislature discussed the matter III the spring
session Of 1878. They formed committees of
correspondence. jefferson was foremost among
them, ready and able to perform his part, and
thinking the leading members not quite up to
the spirit of the times, he drew up some pithy
resolves, and sketched out the plan whereby
the colonies might eHectualy communicate
with each other an account Of their own pro
gression Thus they obtained a mutual under
standing and concert of action. He was
member of the first committee established. In
l774, came the Boston port bill This created
great excitement. Parliament ordered Boston
to be shut up on the first of June. At this
juncture he wrote his celebrated Summary
View of the Rights of British America
taking bold, but sound and digni6ed stand Of
resistance. Certain tories dssented from him.
They deemed it too plain for a kings perusal,
and feared an overthrow of all their hopes of
reconciliation. But his political associates Join
ed with him. They appointed the first Of June
for fast day. The royal governor was highly
exasperated at this movement. Jefferson open.
ly avowed himself the author of tho pamphlet,
and was threatened with prosecution for high
treason. The governor signed spirited state
ment and protest against the royal and arbitra
ry outrage upon their rights. England read
the defiant pamphlet bill of attainder, in
GLIDING Hancock, Randolph, Patrick Henry,
Samuel and John Adams, with Jefferson, was
started in parliament, but it fell through
In 1875, strenuous efforts ut reconciliation
were made in England. The Earl Of Chatham
rang forth his ma ;ter-piece of eloquence in our
favor. Lord Dunmore presented to the Vir-
ginia Legislature an important communication,
June /. The committee selected Jefferson to
answer it. This he did with great power. He
had been chosen, March 81, one of the mem
bers of Congress then assembled in Philadel-
pha; and thither he repaired to notify them
of what had been done. 1t met their approba-
ton. In August, he was again elected to the
third Congress. In May, 1916, the Convention
Of Virginia instructed her delegates in Con-
gress to propose declaration OF Independence
Of Great Britain. This was accordingly done,
and done promptly and efficiently. The ques-
sides. Many reasons pro. and con-, we're ad-
duced, and weighty reasons, too. 1t was q
matter of tremendous bearing, of momentous
importance, and needed their profoundest de-
alterations. On the one side were arrayed
Wilson, r. Livingston, Rutledge, Dickinson,
and others. On the opposite were John Adams,
Lee, Wythe, and their holder companions.
After a long and sitting debate during June
and 10, they concluded To postpone the public
declaration till July l.; but, q committee of
FIVE, j. Adams, Franklin, r. K. Livingston,
Roger Sherman, and Jefferson were appointed
to prepare the document in the interim. BY
request of the other members, Thomas Jeffer-
son sketched that immortal instrument. 1t
met their appreciation, and was reported to
the house, June %, when it was read and tabled
On the assigned July |, it was considered in
debate: and thenceforward daily till the even
ing of July A and somewhat amended, when
it was adopted and signed by the illustrious
ffty-six. Having been engrossed on parch-
ment, it was again signed, August 2. This
1y,l, he 81, 81,