appeal to Governor Henry, urging the relinquishment of the proposed change, at great length. The governor and his council carefully deliberated on the arguments of Mr. Jefferson, and finally concluded to acquiesce in his views. His agency in this matter won for him the enthusiastic applause of the whole people in the neighborhood of Monticello, and especially were the officers of the British troops, who had derived so many advantages from the proximity of Mr. Jefferson, intensely grateful. Some of these were Hessians, and many years afterward, when Mr. Jefferson was traveling in Germany, he had the pleasure of meeting some of these officers again, and of receiving their demonstrations of gratitude and esteem. When the foreign officers eventually left Charlottesville, they addressed letters of acknowledgment to their benefactor, which indicated how greatly they considered themselves under obligations to him.

The communication addressed by Mr. Jefferson on this occasion to Governor Henry, is so peculiar in its style and spirit, that we will here introduce a portion of it. It is as follows:

"It is for the benefit of mankind to mitigate the horrors of war as much as possible. The practice, therefore, of modern nations of treating captive enemies with politeness and generosity, is not only

These houses, in most

They have repaired

delightful in contemplation, but really interesting to all the world, friends, foes, and neutrals. Let us apply this: the officers, after considerable hardships, have all procured quarters, comfortable and satisfactory to them. In order to do this, they were obliged, in many instances, to hire houses for a year, certain, and at such exorbitant rents, as were sufficient to tempt independent owners to go out of them, and shift as they could. cases, were much out of repair. them at a considerable expense. One of the general officers has taken a place for two years, advanced the rent for the whole time, and been obliged, moreover, to erect additional buildings, for the accommodation of a part of his family, for which there was not room in the house rented. Independent of the brickwork, for the carpentry of these additional buildings I know he is to pay fifteen hundred dollars. The same gentleman, to my knowledge, has paid to one person three thousand six hundred and seventy dollars, for different articles, to fix himself commodiously. They have, generally, laid in their stocks of grain, and other provisions; for it is well known that officers do not live on their rations. They have purchased cows, sheep, &c.; set into farming; prepared their gardens, and have a pros

pect of quiet and comfort before them. To turn to the soldiers-the environs of the barracks are delightful, the ground cleared, laid off in hundreds of gardens, each inclosed in its separate paling; these well prepared, and exhibiting a fine appearance. General Reidésel alone laid out upward of two hundred pounds in garden seeds for the German troops only. Judge what an extent of ground these seeds would cover. There is little doubt, that their own gardens will furnish them with a great abundance of vegetables through the year. Their poultry, pigeons, and other preparations of that kind, present to the m ad the idea of a company of farmers, rather than a camp of soldiers. In addition to the bar racks built for them by the public, and now very comfortable, they have built great numbers for themselves, in such messes as fancied each other; and the whole corps, both officers and men, seem now happy and satisfied with their situation. Having thus found the art of rendering captivity itself comfortable, and carried it into execution, at their own great expense and labor, their spirits sustained by the prospect of gratifications rising before their eyes, does not every sentiment of humanity revolt against the proposition of stripping them of all this, and removing them into new situations, where, from the

advanced season of the year, no preparations can be made for carrying themselves comfortably through the heats of summer; and when it is known that the necessary advances for the conveniences already provided, have exhausted their funds, and left them unable to make the like exertions anew ?”

CHAPTER VI.

OF

MR. JEFFERSON ELECTED GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA-HIS MEASURES OF RETALIATION UPON THE BRITISH-ARREST OF HENRY HAMILTON-WASHINGTON APPROVES OF JEFFERSON'S MEASURES-TARLTON'S INVASION VIRGINIA-JEFFERSON'S ACTIVITY-HIS LETTER TO WASHINGTON-ATTACK OF THE BRITISH ON RICHMOND-SCHEMES TO CAPTURE ARNOLD-THEIR FAILURE ATTEMPT OF THE BRITISH TO TAKE JEFFERSON AT MONTICELLO -HIS ESCAPE-EFFORTS MADE TO IMPEACH JEFFERSON IN THE LEGISLATURE—THEIR DEFEAT-JEFFERSON'S DEFENSE OF HIS OFFICIAL ACTS.

ON withdrawing from the legislature of Virginia, Mr. Jefferson was complimented with the highest trust within their gift. He was elected governor of the State. This event took place on the 1st of June, 1779.

One of the first steps which the new governor took was of a retributory nature toward the fierce and implacable foes who were then ravaging the land, laboring to crush the liberties of the people, and striving to destroy their military defenders. The generous example of their conduct toward the captive army of Burgoyne, was now totally lost upon them. The American officers and soldiers who had been taken prisoners were loaded with chains. They were confined in crowded and filthy dungeons and prison ships. Their food was pernicious and