Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-07-14
A Pen-and-Ink Sketch Of Thomas
Jefferson.

Inc American centInet, weekly paper
published at Albion, Edwards county,
Illinois, has commenced the publication
of the history of the English Settle
ment" at Edwards county in 1S17-1S.
This history is by the late George Flow
er, who, in conjunction with Morris Bir-
beck, founded the colony. Flower and
BIrbeck were marked men in their day.
The latter particularly has left his inn
press upon the State for the active and
efficient part he took in resisting the ne
farious attempt to fasten slavery upon
the State in 1924 He was an accom-
plished scholar and thinker, and the
State has scarcely to this day had an
ADLER writer. The paper of Mr.. Flower,
so far as published by the Sentinel, is
very interesting, and a most valuable
contribution to the early history of the
State.
Mr.. Flower was an English gentleman
of education, intelligence and wealth,
and had large acquaintance with dis
tinguished men both in Europe aud the
United States. In the fall of 1916 he
made an extraordinary trip ON horseback
through Tennessee, Kentucky and Vir-
ginia, and in the winter of 1S16-17 he
became the guest of Mr.. Jefferson at
Monticello. The following is the de-
scrlption of Mr.. Jefferson and Month
cello given by Mr.. Flower. We do not
recollect having seen anything connected
with Mr.. Jefferson more interesting than
the sketch of Mr. Flower:
eve entered the State of Virginia at
Arlington. / found Mr.. Jefferson at his
Poplar Forest estate, in the western part
of Virginia. His house was built after
the fashion of chateau. Octagon
rooms, floors of polished oak, lofty cell
ings and large mirrors betokened his
French taste, acquired by his long resi-
dence in France. Mr.. Jefferson's figure
was rather majestic. Tall-over six feet
thin, and rather high shOuldered; man
ners simple, kind and courteous. His
dress in form and color was quaint and
old-faShioDed, plain and neat-a dark
pepper and salt coat, cut in the old
Quaker fashion, with single row of
large metal buttons, knee breeches.
gray worsted stockings, shoes fastened
by large metal buckles-such was the
appearance of Jefferson when first
made his acquaintance in 1916. His
two granddaughters- Misses Ran
dolph-Well educated and accomplished
young ladies, were staying with him at
the time After staying brief time at
Poplar Forest, | went to the house of
Captain John Coles, in Albemarle
county. Mr.. Isaac and Mr.. Walter
Coles, his brothers, lived with him. Mr..
Edward Coles, the youngest brother, was
then in England forming an acquaint-
ance with Mr.. Birbeck. The sister,
Miss Coles, had just been married. Her
husband, Mr.. Stephenson, then a young
lawyer, afterwards Minister to England,
was then on bridal visit
1.-THE greater part of the winter passed
at Monticello, the permanent residence
of Mr.. jefferson, 10 Charlotte county.
The chief charm of the visit was in the
evening conversations with Mr.. Jeffer-
son, who gave me the inside history of
events, before only known to me as to
the world generally, in the published re-
cord, or outside history, which is all that
the public is generally allowed to see. |
was much attracted by the features of
the country, and by the climate of West
ern Virginia. But the brand of slavery
was upon the land. Dilapidated fences,
decaying hOmesteads, wornout land
everywhere met the eye, giving an unin-
viting aspect to country perhaps more
favored by nature than any other por-
ton of the Union. In the spring l was
at Washington, and present at the in
auguration of James Monroe as President
of the United States.
cat the house of Mr.. Madison l saw for
the first time Mr.. Edward Coles, who
had just returned from England.
"This Mr.. Edward Coles was sub
sequently Governor of the State of
Illinois, and to his energy and ability the
State is indebted for the defeat of the
scheme to make Illinois slave State. A
biographical memoir of the great ser
vices of Governor Coles is now in pre-
paralion by the Hon. E. 3. Washburne. "