Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-05-28
JEFFERSON'S LAST LETTER.
Interesting Relic Found in a Family
Bible.
RdLtinOre DIM.

DdtttWOF6 D0Y,
Hon. George Hawkins Williams, the
distinguished President of the MARYLAND
State Senate, opened an old family Bible
last night for the first time for many
years, and found therein the following
letter from Thomas Jefferson, which was
the last he ever wrote, 1t was addressed
to Mr.. r. c.. Weightman, the Mayor of
Washington, in reply to an invitation to
attend the celebration of the jubilee of
American independence in that city:
''MONTICELLO, June n, 1S26.-RE-
SPECIFIED SIR-The kind invitation / re
ceived from you on the part Of the citi-
zens of the city of Washington to be pres
ent with them at their celebration of the
tiftieth anniversary of American indie
pendence, as one Of the surviving signers
of an instrument pregnant with our own
and the fate of the world, is most fiatter-
ing to myself, and heightened by the hon
Orable accompaniment proposed for the
comfort of such journey. 1t adds sensi-
bly, to the sutferings of sickness to be de-
prived by it OF personal participation in
the reiOicingS of that day, but acquies-
cence is duty under circumstances not
placed among those we are permitted to
control. / should, indeed, with peculiar
delight, have met and exchanged
these congratulations REASONABLY with
the small band, the remnant of
that host of worthless who Joined
with us, on that day, in the bold and
doubtful election we were to make for our
country, between submission and the
sword; and to have enjoyed with them
the cOnsOlatOry fact that our fellOw-citi-
Zens, after half century of experience
and prosperity, continue to approve the
choice we made. May it be to the world,
what l believe it will be { to some parts
sooner, to others later, but finally to all J,
the signal of arOusing men to burst the
chains under which mOnkish ignorance
and superstition had persuaded them to
bind themselves, and to assume the bless
ings and security Of self-g0Vernment The
form which we have substituted restores
the free right to the unbounded exercise
of reason and freedom of opinion. All
eyes are opened or opening to the rights
of man. The general spread of the lights
of science has already laid open to every
view the palpable truth that the mass of
mankind has not been born with saddles
on their backs. nor Il favored few booted
and spuTed, ready to ride them legiti-
mately, by the Grace of God. These are
grounds of hope for Others-for ourselves
let the annual return of this day forever
refresh our recOllectiOns of their rights
and an undimInished devotion to them.
/ will ask permission here to express
the pleasure with which | should have
met my ancient neighbors of the city of
Washington and its yicInities, with whom
passed SO many years of a pleasing So
cial intercOurse-an intercourse which so
much relieved the anXieties of the public
cares and left impressions so deeply en-
graved on my affections as never to be
forgotten. With my regret that ill-health
fOrbids me the qualification of an accep-
lance, be pleased to receive for yourself
and those for whom you write the assur-
ance of my highest respect and friendly
attachment. TIL. JEFFERSON.