Duke of Kent-present King of France-Sir A. Baring-foreign minis- ters-distinguished members of Congress-Philadelphia in 1797-Ro- Treatment of envoys in France-X Y Z affair-war with France-new missions to France-measures taken to impair Mr. Adams' popularity New judiciary law, February, 1801-pardon of Fries-end of the fede- Jefferson's Mazzei letter-speech as Vice-President-Jefferson's remarks on the Mazzei letter-Jefferson's personal appearance-his vice-presi- Mr. Jefferson's election to the presidency-his remarks on James A. Bayard-vindication by Mr. Bayard's sons-Mr. Jefferson's policy. - 201 Mr. Jefferson proposes to Congress to repeal all federal measures— diciary law—acts of Judge Chase, which led to his impeachment. How Mr. Jefferson found the United States in 1801-how he left it in 1809-Mr. Madison-his policy-continuation of Mr. Jefferson's. - 356 Measures in consequence of the Hartford Convention-conclusion of the 2. Evidence collected by the sons of James A. Bayard, on Jefferson's INTRODUCTION BY THE AUTHOR. TOWARDS the close of his life, Mr. JEFFERSON prepared statements, seriously affecting the motives and conduct of a numerous class of his fellow-citizens. He intended to have these statements published after his decease. He seems to have expected, that they would be received as HISTORICAL TRUTHS, proceeding from high authority. If Mr. Jefferson had stated truths only, all who know the value of sound historical information are under great obligations to him. If he has stated "false facts," (as he calls them,) without intending to do so, he has increased the well-known difficulty of arriving at certainty, as to the past; and his labors are worse than useless. If he has stated what he knew to be false, he has abused public confidence, and has dishonored his own fame. As most of those citizens, of whom he speaks reproachfully, have become, like himself, insensible to earthly commendation or censure, is it too soon to inquire, in which of the above-mentioned relations Mr. Jefferson should be viewed? It would be doing, it is hoped, great injustice to the American public to assume, that they are incompetent, or unwilling, to judge calmly and justly of historical truth, whatsoever it may prove to be, or whencesoever it may come. |