Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-06-29

ferson was out Of Off e, he was regularly consulted
by his SUCCESSORS in the Presidency; and he gave his
opinions with his usual fullness and freedom, and with
consummate ability. We are pleased 10 see that MI
Randall has kept mp the narrative OF contemporary
politics, which he very properly deemed necessary TO-
correct view Of the j .Gersonisn policy, and has name
his book a very full aud fair history OF the period
ended by the life OF his hero. We have not room 10
20 into detail of the innumerable topics introduced by
our biograpber in hs last chapters; all Oh Whicn tehu
to portray the opinions and the character OF Jener
son. Indeed. until this work appeared the Wor'd al
large had not the means of forming an accurate no.
of what Jefferson was in private life, in the midst
Of his friends, and in the dispensation Of a hospitality
without a precedent among the eminent men Of 'h''
country. More than $40 pages, including the sppen
dix, which will be read by intelligent men WIN 'he
interest of a novel, are devoted to tne l"s' II SeHfs u
Jefsrson's life; but our limits to-day 90 NOT sio" us
n glance even at the topics Included in ms oroao eur
vev-apd il must be kept in mind, thar Mr. handal
was aided in his task, not only by all the printed ma
..,;.,. hearing pnon Il. and BY every friend OF Jefferson
.u,o,, ,o oboss n consult, but by the surviving men,
bers of Mr.. Jefferson's family who contributed not on
~ all the private letters addressed by Inc STATESMAN 10
his children, none Of which had been puonshen' OUT
by authoritative explanations when not only set'e
dopb,fu! points but throw a tender radiance over the
character of their ancestor. We would single out
Tho ,ranhlc delipeation of the character OF Jefferson
nv his eldest grandson, with q most minute account
of the closing scene, and the charming 'e''e's
GRAND daughter residing in New England, which DIS
plsy the wsrmeet affection and the most discrim'na'
ting appreciation of her %iIlustrious relative, as well as
a ski in composition rarely equalied by the most es'
teemed female writers Of the age.
We have said that the appendix was a most V"Iua-
bls part of these volumes, and we cannot foroear
from abiding 10 it more at length. 1t contains many
important letters and disquh itions which could not
have been inserted in the text without q breach ID
the narrative, and separate discussionsot controVert'
cd points. Among it's contents are Elk letters OF Jei'
ferson to biz brolherin law, Francis Eppes, written
in IT'S; a historical summary Of the facts in relation
to the spurious Mecklenburg declaration of the 2oih
May, l775; three additional letters of Jefferson ad
dressed to his brother-in-law written prior to l''o;
synopsis OF Jsherson's draft Of Instructions to our
foreign ministers in 1884; the memorable letter OF
Jefferson TO Madison in I7S9 on the question whether
one generation can bind another, and the conclusive
letter of Madison in reply; the explanation OF Madi.
son in reference TO the speeches OF Morris and HamIl-
ton in the Federal Conventions; a remarkable letter
of John Adams to Gerry, in which Monroe is handled
most severely and uGiustly, a statement of Madlsons
letter to Jefferson returned by the latter; the Mazzel
letter and chickering's charges, with the full history oil
the affair in Jeffsrson's own letter to Van Buren,;
r.,o.,. i-ou - tho Kaptunku roanlutiOn Of lIyS,
and many other valuable papers, political and popu-
lar. necessary to elucidate the life and opinions OF
Jefferson, or 10 defend him from the charges OF hs
enemies, who, though contemplate in numbers, grew
more viperous and virulent in proportion to their in
significance and utter restitution Of principle. The
present volumes closes with a copious index prepared
with unusual care and fullness, and invaluable for re-
ference to a work 30 various in contents and 30 vo.
luminous as the Life Of Jefferson.
There are many topics touched upon in these vol.
umes which We feel inclined to discuss, but we have
thought it our duty to our readers rather to let them
know something of the nature Of the feast get before
them, than to venture upon any opinions or disquisl'
lions of our own. As in our fret article upon this
subject, so we say now, that We owe the deepest obi
cations to Mr. Randall for the admirable work which
bis talents and industry have prepared for the public,
and We sincerely hope that il will coon be found in
the hands of every honest man Of every party, and
more especially in the hands Of every Virglnlan. We
have known old and able Democrats who have looked
forward with confidence to the day when the fame OF
their great chief should be- deliberately vlndicsted TO
the world, and his virtues portrayed by an able and
faithful, as we'll as friendly pen. To all such, we say,
that long looked for day has come at last, and the
book of Mr.. Randall. lie the very book which they have
sought 80 long. That 1t was not written by q VirElnian
imparts to il an additional value. Il i'd as If It Was writ.
ten by posterityi for difference Of place and nation are
very like a difference Of time; and while we peruse the
book, we feel as if we were reading the verdict OF
future times on the life and services of Thomas JEFF
ferson. We have not thought it worth while TO
slluds TO traces OF haste and trivial errors OF fact or
of composition, which must appear in 30 extended a
work, because we know from tie fine execution Of
MANY parts, and the regearch exhibited by all, that
when Mr.. Randall shall have leisure TO revise his
labors carefully, hs will sec all his errors and om's'
sions quite as readily as we can, and hasten to re-
move them. His readiness in correcting a mistake
into which be had fallen respecting the conduct OF
Patrick Henry on the subject Of independence,
affords Us the assurance that he will take pleasure 10
being Informed OF any serious error, and hasten 10
correct or explain his views. Nor should we omit to
say that the Typographical execution of these vo'
lurnes is worthy of their theme. and reflects the
highest credit on the entcrprising publishers, Messrs.
Derby and jackson, Of New York.
For sale by G. NJ. WEST, Richmond, Va.