tion; nor is the mode of arrangement the best adapted to its reception into ordinary use as a work of reference.

These considerations have suggested the plan of the present undertaking, which aspires to no higher claims than that of an analytic, and, it is hoped, a well assorted generalization of the original publication. It has been the leading object of the compilation, to condense the most valuable substance of the four, within the compass of one volume, and to supply what are presumed to be essential wants of the former, by interweaving a connected narrative of the Author's Life. The more important political papers of Mr Jefferson, contained in the original works, have been copied into this, or their substance faithfully stated; and many others of importance, that have been procured from other sources, are likewise introduced.

The selections from his private correspondence are dispersed through the volume with reference to the topic under consideration, more than to the order of time; and in making the quotations from this department, it has been the object to bring the greatest quantity of useful matter within the smallest space. Parts of letters, therefore, are usually introduced-rarely the whole of any one-but sufficient to give the full sense of the writer on any required point, avoiding all extraneous observations. The historical and biographical portions of the work have also been derived, in great part, from this pregnant source. In some cases the very language of the author has been adopted, without invariably noting it with the usual mark of credit. In all such cases, however, the style or the sentiment will be sufficiently

he arme nar umear werwingnut win ± degr— I s neon & lifeut natter o commemore ne feeds of a fistingushed 1 benefactor of te numan nee, withint eating in some terme o te fuence of passion uch they are o usty micatei unsure: and the *ter ines ante o imit, hat he has less endeavored a restrun is gue belings than to nfuse them to the minds of us readers.

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.

BY A FRIEND TO THE EDITOR.

It was the good fortune of Washington to finish his unexampled career of usefulness, with universal approbation. No such fate has attended any of his contemporaries, or successors. Mr Jefferson had many and powerful opponents to contend against, during the whole of his political career. Some of these were no doubt influenced by personal jealousies, and many by an honest difference of opinion.

Where these differences involved matters of local or of temporary importance, it could answer no useful purpose to bring them forward for renewed discussion at this late day; and in the volume before us every thing calculated to revive party animosities has been studiously avoided, without however suppressing any thing that was necessary for historical accuracy, or to elucidate deliberate opinions, and develop essential traits of cha

racter.

To such readers as have not been favored with the perusal of the valuable edition of Mr Jefferson's writings already alluded to, this unpretending volume may prove a safe guide to the true character and sentiments of that distinguished man.

The difference between Mr Jefferson and his honest opponents was this. The republicanism of Thomas Jefferson was too thorough, to radical, to be adopted even by a considerable portion of the best men of the Revolution. A disinterested sacrifice of personal safety to the welfare of the country was the same on the part of all, but Mr Jefferson had greater confidence in the wisdom and discretion of the people, than was entertained by a majority of his patriotic and devoted fellowlaborers. Upon the organization of the government under the federal constitution, this difference in opinion soon became apparent in the councils of the nation and Mr Jefferson stood forth the champion of Democracy. The more aristocratic party were inclined to restrain the people, under the apprehension that they were unqualified to govern themselves. This party was designated by the name of Federalists, and soon embodied a very large proportion of the wealth and intelligence of the nation. Deriving our literature, our laws, and our most respected usages from a nation where arbitrary institutions prevailed, it was quite natural that our intelligent citizens should desire an approximation to that form of government, and suppose it indispensable to tie up the hands of the people, in order to save them from working their own destruction.

There can be no reason to doubt that here was an

honest difference of opinion on the part of the Federal and of the Democratic leaders, whatever may have been the wicked animosity which grew up in the breasts of designing and ignorant men who afterwards arranged themselves under the banners of each party. Without pretending therefore to decide at this time to what extent either party might have erred, it is certainly to be desired that the prejudices which belonged to those times should now so far be overcome, as to qualify us to appreciate fairly the talents and services of the great men of the Revolution, and render a just tribute to their merit, besides aiding us in the more necessary duty of acquainting ourselves with the character of our government, of our existing institutions, and their effect upon the happiness of the people.

From the commencement of the Revolutionary struggle down to the period of his death, Mr Jefferson's predominating fear was, that the rights of the people would be disregarded. Neither was his love of liberty and of human happiness confined to one race of men. So early as 1769, upon his first taking a seat in the legislature of Virginia, he had the hardihood to rise amidst that body of inexorable planters,' and propose a bill for the 'permission of the Emancipation of Slaves."

Whilst a member of the Continental Congress, he made use of these remarkable words:

'It can never be too often repeated, that the time for fixing every essential right on a legal basis, is while our rulers are honest, and ourselves united. From the conclusion of this war we shall be going down hill. It will not then be necessary to resort every moment to the people for support. They will be forgotten, therefore, and their