CHAP. XII.]

DID HE ASSAIL CHRISTIANITY?

495

recollect the furious tempest which burst on his head, on this subject, from press and pulpit, pending both his elections to the Presidency. The Christian church of our country was declared to be in danger if he succeeded. It was popularly said at the time, that in parts of New England, timid females hid their Bibles in the clefts of rocks, and enthusiastic disciples girded up their loins to encounter terrible persecutions, when it was understood that he was elected.

What had he done to give rise to such impressions of his religious character? Had he published, or permitted the publication of anything which avowedly, or by fair implication, was intended as an attack on Christianity? All that was adduced to prove this was a sentence or two from the Notes on Virginia, declaratory of the fact that the religious beliefs of one man do not inflict on any other man that physical or other legal injury, which it is the province of law to punish; and by certain geological and ethnological speculations which do not, as we understand it, deny anything in the Scriptures, or require an interpretation of them different from that adopted by men whom Mr. Jefferson's assailants would be ready to concede of the most eminent ability and piety.'

Was Mr. Jefferson in the habit of arguing against, or sneering at, Christianity in conversation? We remember only to have seen a single remark of such a tenor attributed to him. (said to have been made to Mazzei-see Appendix 18), which was too manifestly ridiculous to call for a denial; yet Mr. Jefferson did, in his private correspondence, indignantly deny it. But whether one or twenty such stories got afloat, we feel perfectly authorized to say that they were false, and were not supported by any proof which really justified cool and rational men in giving them temporary credit.

We will give our reasons fully for so unhesitatingly declaring their falsity. We will attempt to show, by as satisfactory proof as the nature of the case admits of-as nearly as a negative can ever be shown-that Mr. Jefferson never, at any period of life, made himself an aggressive assailant of Christianity; that he

The most distinguished writer, perhaps-certainly the most distinguished ecclesi astical writer who found intentional attacks on Christianity in the Notes on Virginiawas the Rev. John M. Mason, D. D., of New York, and his pamphlet on the subject is republished in his collected writings by his son. Those who are desirous to see what were the Rev. gentleman's positions, and what was the character of his strictures, wil find them hereafter stated.

496

GROSS MISREPRESENTATIONS.

[CHAP. XII. never, in a solitary instance, sought directly or indirectly to proselyte a human being to unchristian views, or to shake his conviction in Christian ones. Looking at the naked facts now, it would seem a matter of astonishment that he could have been so misunderstood and misrepresented on this subject by a portion of his contemporaries, on the strength of evidence which, before a tribunal accustomed to pay any attention to sound and Just rules of evidence, would fail to command serious notice. But if we look into the surrounding circumstances impartially -with that spirit of liberality towards his opponents which it must be confessed they never showed to him, we believe some excuses can be found for the conduct of the great portion, and particularly the religious portion of them. We do not propose to defer this question-the religious issue between the living Jefferson and his antagonists-like the preceding one, to the conclusion of his history. The facts will be required to furnish contemporaneous explanations of several important circumstances in his public and private career. We shall probably enter upon their examination while narrating the events of the year 1800-when he was first publicly assaulted on this subject on an extensive and imposing scale.

CHAPTER XIII.

1788-1789.

First Official Acts in 1788-Paul Jones-Pecuniary Difficulties of United States Jefferson repairs to Holland-With Adams effects Loans-Tour up the Rhine-Mathematical Formula for shaping a Plow-State of Paris at his Return-Letter to General Washington-Proposes transferring French Debts to Holland-Gives Brissot Letters of Introduction-Outfit-New Consular Convention-Annoyed by French Creditors of United States-Repulses Impertinence of General Armand-Asks Leave of Absence-Nobody to grant it-Miscellaneous Correspondence of the Year-Questions a Theory of Newton-Disregard of mere Authority in Science-Newton, Buffon, and Lavoisier-Blunders of the Learned-Curtain drons on Poor Ledyard-His Warm Affection for JeffersonJefferson declines joining Society for Abolition of Slave Trade-English Judicial Decisions in America-Letter to General Washington-Ihside Views Opinion on Female Influence in French Politics-Further History of French Affairs-Famine in the Winter of 1788-9-Relief from America-Recall of French Minister in America asked-Gover neur Morris's Secret-Extracts from Letters and Diary of Morris-SpeculationsFrance on Morris's Shoulders--Jefferson's Views of Proper Objects of the PatriotsSack of Reveillon's House-Opening of States-General-Disputes between Orders— Lafayette's Instructions and Jefferson's Advice-Progress of Events-Jefferson's Letter to St. Etienne-Proposes a Charter of Rights-Patriots demand too much and lose all-Character of Necker-Jefferson and Mirabeau-Further Events-"Let the People eat Grass"-The Issue of Blood made up-Jefferson between the Military and the People-Different Accounts of the Fray-Attack on the Bastile-Another Chance for Compromise thrown away-Jefferson's Opinion of the King and Queen-He is invited to Assist in forming a Constitution-His Reasons for declining-Constitution Settled at his House The Parties in the National Assembly-Explanations between Jefferson and Montmorin-Personal Affairs-Jefferson neither Federalist nor AntiFederalist-Made LL.D. by Harvard University-His Answer-Family IncidentsMartha wishes to enter a Convent-Letter to General Washington-Views on Titles of Honor in United States-Views on Neutrality between France and England-Past and Present Course of these Nations towards the United States-English Sympathisers in United States-This Party existed before the French Revolution Jefferson averse to entering President's Cabinet-"Can one Generation of Men bind another?"-He receives Leave of Absence-Particulars of Journey until final Sailing-His Valedictory to France-Some Review of his Diplomatic Labors-Discharge of Minor DutiesAttentions to Americans Abroad-His Course towards Young Travellers-His Strong Partiality for Young Men-Other Unofficial Duties-Ability of his Dispatches-Political Prophesying-His Diplomatic Career commands Universal Applause-Mr. Jay's Testimony on the Subject-Judge Marshall's-Daniel Webster's-English ExpressionsMartha Jefferson's Narrative of Journey Home-Danger at Norfolk-Reception at Home-Old Wormley's Version of the Reception-An African Ovation.

ONE of Mr. Jefferson's first official acts, in 1788, was to dispatch a special agent to Denmark to obtain reparation for prizes

VOL 1--32

497

499

COMMODORE PAUL JONES.

[CHAP. XIII. captured by Commodore John Paul Jones from the English, during the recent war; and which having put into Bergen in distress, were, by the orders of the Danish Court, taken from their captors and delivered back to the English. Congress having intrusted our Minister to France with the negotiation, and with the appointment of an agent, he very properly selected Jones himself. Jefferson always entertained a favorable opinion of this remarkable man, and had employed his services on several previous occasions. Thus, three years earlier, he had sent him to Brest to observe Laperouse's ill-fated expedition then fitting ont-as it had been reported that it was designed to plant a colony or trading factories on the west coast of North America.' Jefferson seems to have entertained these suspicions for a long time, and indeed until they were dispelled by a full knowledge of the facts He always spoke of Jones in his correspondence, and always treated him personally as a discreet and intelligent man, whose honor and whose patriotism to his adopted country were entirely above suspicion. Very soon after the mission of the latter to Denmark, a circumstance occurred which illustrated his character in these particulars. Received as a Vice-Admiral into the Russian service, he annexed as a condition of his acceptance, that he should be permitted to withdraw whenever the United States required his services.

Another subject now began "to press upon " Jefferson's "mind," to use his own words, "like a mountain." " The position of affairs between the United States and their European creditors had always been a source of great annoyance to our Ministers. Not even the interest of the French debt, so peculiarly one of honor, and the repayment of which was so pressingly needed, was met. And the Treasury Board had recently announced that they could not possibly make further remittances to Europe within a year-indeed, until the new Government established under the federal Constitution (of 1787) should go into operation and should make provisions for raising the money. In the meantime, the American Ministers in Europe were expected to sustain the credit of their country by meeting the demands against it, from the proceeds of a loan which had been opened in Holland, but which, after being but in small part filled, had ceased to be taken up. Two hundred and

Jefferson to Jay. August 14, 1785. 2 Letter to John Adams, March 2d, 1788.

CHAP. XIII.]

FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES.

499

seventy thousand florins would be requisite to meet interest, in the coming June. The holders of the former bonds offered to take all the remaining ones, provided they might receive out of them the interest of a part of the United States domestic debt, of which they were also the holders. Jefferson had no authority to accept this proposal.' He writes in his Memoir:

"Mr. Adams, while residing at the Hague, had a general authority to borrow what sums might be requisite for ordinary and necessary expenses. Interest on the public debt, and the maintenance of the diplomatic establishment in Europe, had been habitually provided in this way. He was now elected Vice-President of the United States, was soon to return to America, and had referred our bankers to me for future counsel, on our affairs in their hands. But I had no powers, no instructions, no means, and no familiarity with the subject. It had always been exclusively under his management, except as to occasional and partial deposits in the hands of Mr. Grand, banker in Paris, for special and local purposes

Mr. Adams had received his appointment to the court of London while engaged at Paris, with Dr. Franklin and myself, in the negotiations under our joint commissions. He had repaired thence to London, without returning to the Hague, to take leave of that government. He thought it necessary, however, to do so now, before he should leave Europe, and accordingly went there. I learned his departure from London, by a letter from Mrs. Adams, received on the very day on which he would arrive at the Hague. A consultation with him, and some provision for the future, was indispensable, while we could yet avail ourselves of his powers; for when they would be gone, we should be without resource. I was daily dunned by a company who had formerly made a small loan to the United States, the principal of which was now become due; and our bankers in Amsterdam had notified me that the interest on our general debt would be expected in June; that if we failed to pay it, it would be deemed an act of bankruptcy, and would effectually destroy the credit of the United States, and all future prospect of obtaining money there."

Two days after receiving Mrs. Adams's letter (March 4th), Jefferson set out for Amsterdam, travelling as usual in his own carriage by post horses. He went by the way of Valenciennes, Bruxelles, Antwerp, Rotterdam, and the Hague, where he found Mr. Adains, and they proceeded together to Amsterdam, which they reached on the 10th.

Both Ministers concurred in the belief that it would be better at once, by a new and sufficient loan, to provide for the demands against the government for the current and two succeeding years, for the purpose of placing the latter at its ease, and its credit in security, during what they foresaw would be a very trying period. Bonds for a new loan of a million of floring

'Jefferson to Jay, March 16th.