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kind, present to the mind the idea of a company of farmers, rather than a camp of soldiers. In addition to the barracks built for them by the publick, 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 labour, their spirit 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 exer tions anew? Again; review this matter as it may regard appearances. A body of troops, after staying a twelvemonth at Boston, are ordered to take a march of seven hundred miles to Virginia, where, it is said, they may be plentifully subsisted. As soon as they are there, they are ordered on some other march, because, in Virginia, it is said, they cannot be subsisted. Indif ferent nations will charge this either to ignorance or to-whim and caprice; the parties interested, to cruelty. They now view the proposition in that light, and it is said, there is a general and firm persuasion among them, that they were marched from Boston with no other purpose than to harass and destroy them with

eternal marches. Perseverance in object, though not by the most direct way, is often more laudable than perpetual changes, as often as the object shifts light. A character of steadiness in our councils is worth more than the subsistence of four thousand people.

came.

There could not have been a more unlucky concurrence of circumstances than when these troops first The barracks were unfinished for want of labourers, the spell of weather the worst ever known within the memory of man, no stores of bread laid in, the roads, by the weather and number of wagons, soon rendered impassable: not only the troops themselves were greatly disappointed, but the people in the neighbourhood were alarmed at the consequences which a total failure of provisions might produce. In this worst state of things, their situation was seen by many and disseminated through the country, so as to occasion a general dissatisfaction, which even seized the minds of reasonable men, who, if not infected with the contagion, must have foreseen that the prospect must brighten, and that great advantages to the people must necessarily arise. It has, accordingly, so happened. The planters, being more generally sellers than buyers, have felt the benefit of their presence in the most vital part about them, their purses, and are now sensible of its source. I have too good an opinion of their love of order, to believe that a removal of these troops would produce any irregular proofs of their disapprobation, but I am well assured it would be extremely odious to them.

To conclude. The separation of these troops would be a breach of publick faith; therefore I suppose it im

possible. If they are removed to another state, it is the fault of the commissaries; if they are removed to any other part of the state, it is the fault of the commissaries; and in both cases, the publick interest and publick security suffer, the comfortable and plentiful subsistence of our own army is lessened, the health of the troops neglected, their wishes crossed, and their comforts torn from them, the character of whim and caprice, or, what is worse, of cruelty, fixed on us as a nation, and, to crown the whole, our own people disgusted with such a proceeding.

I have thus taken the liberty of representing to you the facts and the reasons which seem to militate against the separation or removal of these troops. I am sensible, however, that the same subject may appear to different persons in very different lights.

What I have urged as reasons, may, to sounder minds, be apparent fallacies. I hope they will appear, at least, so -plausible, as to excuse the interposition of

your Excellency's

most obedient

and most humble servant,
TH: JEFFERSON.

It needs no assurance from us to our readers that this appeal was entirely successful; nor was it ever for gotten by those unfortunate captives from whom it averted tyranny, and for whose security and comfort it was penned. They duly appreciated his kindness and generosity, and their attachment and gratitude were lasting; and in his subsequent travels through Europe, when chance again threw him in their socie

ty, they loaded him with civility and kindness, and spoke to their countrymen in warm terms of the hos pitality of Virginia. When about to leave Charlottesville, the principal officers wrote to him, to renew their thanks, and to bid him adieu; the answer of Mr. Jefferson to one of them has been preserved. "The little attentions," he says, "you are pleased to magnify so much, never deserved a mention or a thought. Opposed as we happen, to be in our sentiments of duty and honour, and anxious for contrary events, I shall, nevertheless, sincerely rejoice in every circumstance of happiness and safety which may attend you personally."

To another of them he thus wrote:

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The very small amusements which it has been in my power to furnish, in order to lighten your heavy hours, by no means merited the acknowledgments you make. Their impression must be ascribed to your extreme sensibility, rather than to their own weight. When the course of events shall have removed you to distant scenes of action, where laurels not moistened with the blood of my country, may be gathered, I shall urge my sincere prayers for your obtaining every honour and preferment which may gladden the heart of a soldier. On the other hand, should your fondness for philosophy resume its merited ascendency, is it impossible to hope that this unexplored country may tempt your residence, by holding out materials wherewith to build a fame, founded on the happiness, and not on the calamities of human nature? Be this as it may, a philosopher or a soldier, I wish you personally many felicities."

CHAPTER III.

ON the first of June, 1779, Mr. Jefferson was appointed Governour of the commonwealth of Virginia, and retired from the legislature. Being elected also one of the Visiters of William and Mary College, a self-electing body, he effected during his residence in Williamsburgh that year, a change in the organization of that institution, by abolishing the grammar school, and the two professorships of Divinity and Oriental Languages, and substituting a professorship of Law and Police; one of Anatomy, Medicine, and Chymistry; and one of Modern Languages; and the charter being confined to six professorships, the Visiters added the Law of Nature and Nations and the Fine Arts to the duties of the Moral professor, and Natural History to those of the professor of Mathematicks and Natural Philosophy.

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Being now," says he, "as it were identified with the commonwealth itself, to write my own history, during the two years of my administration, would be to write the publick history of that portion of the revolution within this state." We must, therefore, rely upon cotemporary history, and his own letters, for a relation of those events in which he was more personally concerned, and which occurred during his administration of the government."

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