THE

LIFE

OF

THOMAS JEFFERSON.

VIRGINIA, the illustrious mother of the brightest gems of our revolutionary era, gave birth to THOMAS JEFFERSON. In the character of this extraordinary man, as well as in the events of his life, we are presented with a combination of philosophical attainments, and political talents, of benevolent feelings, and ambitious aspirations, rarely found united in the same individual, and still more rarely resulting in that brilliancy of renown, and extensive popular veneration, which covers his name with an immortality as bright as the truths of science, and as imperishable as the liberties of mankind.

There is something so peculiarly attractive in the biography of an obscure youth of the American forest, gradually rising on our view, and enlarging each day in his dimensions, until, with herculean vigour, he shook to fragments the mighty pillars of the British constitution, causing the throne to tremble, and the brightest jewel in the diadem of the British king to fall from his brow: there is something in the achievement, at once so simple in its progress and yet so sublime in its effects, as to cause an involuntary emotion of astonishment at the daring of the attempt, as well as the power required for its performance; and we feel tempted almost to doubt, as too romantic for belief, what we recognise as the truth of history, and bow to as the consecrated gift of inspired and creative genius. In proportion as our admiration is excited, by achievements so extraordinary and singular, do we feel our curiosity awakened, to enquire by what means deeds so vast were accomplished; and to be

come more intimately acquainted with the faculties and attributes of an intellect, which, stepping forward in advance of all other minds of his own age, should have the sagacity to conceive, and the moral courage to propose, a national revolution of magnitude so vast, consequences so fearful, and results so grand, so stupendous and so sublime!

He was born at a place called Shadwell, in Albemarle county, on the 2d day of April, 1743, old style. His ancestors were among the earliest settlers of the province; and are said to have arrived at the possession of respectability and affluence, by the perseverance of their industry and the vigour of their enterprize. His father, Peter Jefferson, was a man of integrity, science and reputation; and held responsible appointments under the government of the province. The family originally emigrated to Virginia, from Wales, near the mountain of Snowdon. Of his father, Jefferson relates that his education had been quite neglected; but being of a strong mind, sound judgment, and eager after information, he read much and improved himself, insomuch that he was chosen, with Joshua Fry, professor of mathematics in William and Mary College, to continue the boundary line between Virginia and North Carolina."

His father died on the 17th August, 1757, leaving a widow, with six daughters and two sons, Thomas being the elder. His father appears to have possessed considerable property, for he left an estate on James river, called 'Snowdon,' to his younger brother, and to Thomas the plantation of Shadwell, on which he was born. At the age of five, his father placed him at an English school; and when he was nine, he was put to acquire Latin and Greek, with a Mr. Douglass, a Scotch clergyman, who also instructed him in French. On the death of his father, his education was transferred to another clergyman, a Mr. Maury, eminent for his classical attainments, with whom he continued two years. In the spring of 1760, being qualified for further advancement, he was translated to William and Mary College, where he continued to pursue his studies for two years more. His own account of this period of his life at college is too impressive not to be quoted in this place. "It was my great good fortune, and what probably fixed the destinies of my life, that Dr. William Small, of Scotland, was then professor of mathematics, a man profound in most of the useful branches of science, with a happy

talent of communication, correct and gentlemanly manners, and an enlarged and liberal mind. He, most happily for me, became soon attached to me, and made me his daily companion when not engaged in the school; and from his conversation I got my first views of the expansion of science, and of the system of things in which we are placed. Fortunately, the philosophical chair became vacant soon after my arrival at college, and he was appointed to fill it, per interim; and he was the first who ever gave, in that college, regular lectures in ethics, rhetoric and belles lettres. He returned to Europe in 1762, having previously filled up the measure of his goodness to me, by procuring for me, from his most intimate friend, George Wythe, a reception as a student at law, under his direction, and introduced me to the acquaintance and familiar table of Governor Fauquier, the ablest man who had ever filled that office. With him, and at his table, Dr. Small and Mr. Wythe, his amici omnium horarum, and myself, formed a partie guarre, and to the habitual conversations on these occasions I owed much instruction. Mr. Wythe continued to be my faithful and beloved mentor in youth, and my most affectionate friend through life. In 1767, he led me into the practice of the law at the bar of the general court, at which I continued until the revolution shut up the courts of justice."

Soon after this, in 1769, he was chosen by the people of his county to represent them in the Legislature of the State; a station that he continued to fill up to the period of the revolution. Nothing remarkable appears to have emanated from him in that capacity, except his project for the EMANCIPATION OF SLAVES, a humane policy, to which he was at all times devoted, with more of the feelings of a philanthropist, than the policy of a statesman.

In the years 1768-9, he took an active part in the joint resolutions and address which were adopted against those of the Houses of Lords and Commons, together with an address to the King, in which the people of Virginia avowed their determination to make common cause with those of Massachusetts; upon which occasion they were dissolved by the Governor, when they proceeded to a public house, and drew up and signed articles of non-importation from Great Britain.

Whilst a student at Williamsburg, in 1765, he heard Patrick Henry declaim against the stamp act, and remarks, he appeared to me to speak as Homer wrote.'

In January, 1772, Mr. Jefferson was united in marriage to Martha Skelton, a young widow of twenty-three, the daughter of an opulent attorney of the name of Wayles, by whom he acquired a considerable fortune.

Possessed of a vivid imagination, ardent temperament and benevolent feelings, that held communion with the happiness of mankind, rather than the sympathies of individuals, it was scarcely possible that Mr. Jefferson, in the same State with Patrick Henry, and breathing daily an atmosphere imbued with the richest perfumes of eloquence, freedom and justce, could remain an indifferent spectator to the agitating questions of British outrages, provincial wrongs, and American rights. Animated with the purest love of liberty; fresh from the study of Roman patriots and Grecian sages, statesmen and warriors, to stimulate him in the love of country, and urge him to the vindication of the rights of man; he watched, with an eagle eye, every movement of despotism, and hung, with youthful rapture, on the exciting accents that fell from the eloquent lips of Henry, glowing with patriotism and burning with indignation. Quick to conceive, and prompt to act, to love liberty, and to perceive oppression, was sufficient to impel Jefferson, with the enthusiasm of a young mind, to embark in the vindication and defence of the injured and aggressed party. On every side he beheld men of his own age ready to greet the goddess Liberty, and throng to the rescue of their insulted country. The contagious ardour of youth quickly kindled the combustible material of southern minds into a flame of enthusiastic devotion to the common cause of liberty and independence. To doubt one power of the English crown over the colonies, was enough to ensure its denial and obstruct its exercise; to doubt allegiance, was to provoke rebellion; to think of rebellion was at once to fling open the door to revolution, and to pave the road that led to Independence.

In the spring of 1773, Mr. Jefferson was active, along with Patrick Henry and others, in forming a committee of correspondence, to produce unity of action among the colonies, in opposition to Great Britain, by devising and concerting measures for a general convention of the colonies at some central point. Payton Randolph, the speaker, was chosen chairman. Massachusetts, at the same time, and without any knowledge of similar proceedings having been adopted by Virginia, had taken the same course.