I have a loaded pistol by me on the counter, which keeps them out of the shop in the day time; for they have attempted, even in the day time, to drag me out; and as I am unavoidably alone sometimes, my friends persuade me to protect myself in the best manner I can. Two youths came in and began to use the most dreadful language. I took up my pistol and very coolly asked them if they should like it fired at them; if they did not, they had better go on; I certainly would let it off. They did not stay, but scampered off. Though I am getting rather worse from wear after all this ill-treatment, my spirit is as good as ever. I never saw anything like it in London. The scenes here are not be described; it must be a more able pen than mine. However, amidst all, it is pleasing to find that those whose duty it is to protect me have shewn the most willing disposition to do it, The Magistrates and the officers on duty acted with the greatest honour, for which I here publicly tender them my thanks. reda 1mgdYours respectfully,ow sobs a S.. WRIGHT. Printed and Published by R. CARLILE, 62, Fleet Street.-All Correspoddences for "The Republican," to be left at the place of publication. The Republican. No. 9. VOL.-14.] LONDON, Friday, Sept. 8, 1826. [Price 6d. DEATH OF THOMAS JEFFERSON, LATE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF NORTH AMERICA. THIS was a good and useful man. His age rendered his death a matter not to be regretted, he died in the fulness of time and what is pleasing in the circumstance, he died on the fiftieth anniversary of the declaration of the independence of America and near the hour at which he, as one of the deputies, had fifty years before signed that document. Mr. Jefferson was the sincere and constant friend of Thomas Paine, and a valuable correspondence between them is likely soon to be in print. Would that Paine had lived to this year, to have witnessed the triumph of his political principles throughout America, and of his theological principles throughout a large portion of Europe and America. Had he lived, he would have outlived the calumny of the religious world, and also of the present political world. The deaths of men in general are of no more importance than the deaths of other animals; when they are vicious, it is well for the remainder to be rid of them; but such a man as Thomas Jefferson is worthy of notice; the particulars of his life are worthy of record, as an example to other men. In political and theological principle, he was a republican and deist, confined in some measure by American prejudices; but, like Franklin, he was constantly writing of saying something that acted powerfully against the reigning superstition. Mr. Jefferson was among the first American Revolutionists, and one of the first advocates of independence. After the establishiment of that independence, he made the instruction of his countrymen his peculiar study. In his controversial discussions, he was particularly mild, and the writer of this has not escaped his reprobation for harshness and severity of writing. The only excuse he has is, that Mr. Jefferson did not establish the right of free discussion in the free and public sale of Anti-Christian books in that part of America; he did not establish the encouragement to such men as himself freely to publish their conclusions. There is a further singularity in the case, which is, that John Printed and Published by R. Carlile, 62, Fleet-street. Adams, another survivor of the signers of the declaration of the independence of the United States, should die on the same day. Though a letter exchanging acquaintance existed between Jefferson and Adams, there was a difference between them in their views both of political and theological principles. John Adams was a little of the Aristocrat in politics, and of the Presbyterian order in religion. He would, if he could, have established a he-. reditary presidency, which would have been scarcely a shade from monarchy. He had been President, and lived to see his son President, a son, who has retained his father's virtues while he has thrown off his foibles; and the father might have learned, that, where virtue is hereditary, the honours done or due to the family are sure to follow. Of the character of Jefferson and of the esteem felt for him by the Americans, some account may be gathered from the following articles. His memoir will doubtless come from some able pen in America, where the author can collect facts which are not to be collected in Europe. Here we can say for him, that he lived to a good and great accomplishment, in assisting to procure the independence of his country; for without that independence the Americans would have in time become what the Irish and East Indians now are, and republican freedom would not have existed, nor would there have been any promise of its speedy existence. And we can further say for him, that as he lived honourably in the eyes of his countrymen, so he died amidst their respectful congratulations on his well-spent life, and at a moment when they were festive for the return of that day on which fifty years before their character as a nation had been established. He died as he should have died, not amidst their sorrows; but amidst their joy and cheerings. RICHARD CARLILE. The following Letter, addressed by Mr. Jefferson to the Mayor of Washington, is the last Letter, on a public subject, written by that immortal sage and patriot : "Monticello, June 24, 1826. 66 Respected Sir-The kind invitation I received from you, on the part of the city of Washington, to be present with them at their Fiftieth Anniversary of American Independence, as one of the surviving signers of an instrument pregnant with our own and the fate of the world, is most flattering to myself, and heightened by the honourable accompaniment proposed for the comfort of such a journey. It adds sensibly to the sufferings of sickness, to be deprived by it of a personal participation in the rejoicing of that day; but acquiescence is a duty under circumstances not placed among those we are permitted to control. I should, indeed, with peculiar delight, have met and exchanged their congratulations, personally, with the small band, the remnant of that host of worthies who joined with us, on that day, in the bold and doubtful election we were to make, for our coun 259 try, between submission and the sword; and to have enjoyed with them "I will ask permission here to express the pleasure with which I should have met my ancient neighbours of the city of Washington and its vicinities, with whom I passed so many years of a pleasing social intercourse, which so much relieved the anxiety of the public cares, and left impressions so deeply engraved in my affections, as never to be forgotten. With my regret that ill health forbids me the gratification of an acceptance, be pleased to receive for yourself, and those for whom you write, the assurance of my highest respect and friendly attachments. "TH. JEFFERSON." FURTHER PARTICULARS RESPECTING THE DEATHS OF THE AMERICAN PRESIDENTS. (From a Correspondent in "The Examiner.") THOSE great and good men, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, are dead! The circumstances attending their deaths are most affecting. Thomas Jefferson was rather more than 83 years of age; John Adams was 91. They with Charles Carrol, who still lives, were the only survivors amongst This important docuthe signers of the Declaration of Independence. ment was drawn up by Thomas Jefferson. The rough MS. draught is still preserved. It was signed and proclaimed on the 4th July, 1776. Thomas Jefferson read it in a room in the State House, in this city, which is still called the "Hall of Independence." The fiftieth anniversary, which returned on Tuesday last, was celebrated throughout the Union with uncommon splendour and rejoicings, as a Jubilee. Both Jefferson and Adams had been invited to attend some of the festivities, but declined on account of the infirmities of age. Neither of them had been what is usually termed sick. On the 3rd of July, Thomas Jefferson called his family and friends together at Monticello, in Georgia, and told them he was aware of his approaching end; he gave directions for his funeral, and then exclaimed, "Would to God, the day of my country's birth may be the day of my death!" The next day (the Anniversary) a little after noon, he said to those around him," About this time fifty years ago did I read the glorious Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia;' bring me some book in which it is; let me read it once more." A book was brought him, and he read aloud a few sentences; the book fell from his hand; he fell back, and gently expired. This was at ten minutes before one, the very moment, as near as can be calculated, on which, fifty years before, he read the important paper. The news of the death of John Adams arrived this morning, but few particulars have reached us; but those few are so remarkably similar to those respecting Thomas Jefferson, that they would hardly be believed on the relation. I shall therefore only add, that he expired very unexpectedly, after a free and lively conversation on the events which the day was calculated to revive the recollection of, at six o'clock in the afternoon of the 4th of July, at his house at Quincy, near Boston. Well might it be asked, "Who does not envy such deaths, after such lives?" Philadelphia, July 8, 1826. J. M. FUNERAL OF JEFFERSON. NEW YORK, July 19-(From the Richmond Enquirer, July 14.)—" The proceedings of Tuesday last furnished the strongest tribute which could have been offered to the memory of this illustrious Jefferson. The soldiers of the Revolution, the Ministers of Religion, the Officers of the Federal and State Governments, citizens, military and civil, the teachers and their pupils; all descriptions of people united in doing honour to the man who had filled up the measure of his country's honour.' The exhibition was the spontaneous offering of a free people to their distinguished benefactor. It was a brilliant illustration of the purity and beauty of our political institutions. There was no compulsion; no adulation; no sacrifice at the shrine of a deceased despot; no humiliating effort to propitiate his legitimate successor.' It was the unbought offering' of an independent people. The hearts of freemen poured themselves forth in paying the last tribute of respect to the ashes of their benefactor. The unbidden tear was shed in the fulness of gratitude to one of the most distinguished fathers of the Republic. Compare such an affecting and simple scene as this, with all the splendid pageantry, with all the mockery of woe' which surrounds the bier of a monarch or a conqueror, and how completely does the latter dwindle into insignificance! Notwithstanding the shortness of the period which had been allotted for the exhibition, all the arrangements were complete. The orator, and the ministers of religion, were prepared for their various exercises; and the awning, which had been commenced on the Capitol Square on Monday morning only, was completed by 10 o'clock on Tuesday. A canvass covering had been spread over the large Lafayette arch to the east of the Capitol, and wings thrown off to the right and left, and in front, sufficient to accommodate an immense multitude. In the rear of the arch a light platform was erected, canopied with crape, for the reception of the Orator and the ministers of religion. "The day was uncommonly pleasant. At half after 10 o'clock, the procession began to move from the Henrico Court-house, according to the order which had been published by the Committee of Arrangements. A detachment of the Light Infantry Blues with music-then the Members of the Executive Council-Ministers of Religion-the Soldiers of the Revolution-the Officers of Government--Judges and Officers of the Federal and State Judiciaries-Committee of Arrangement-Municipal Authorities of the City-Justices of Henrico County-Debating Societies-Teachers with their Schools-Citizens-Strangers, and Uniform Companies. The lengthened procession, four deep, extended from the Union Hotel to the |