dent, in opposition to John Adams. Mr. Adams succeeded, and Mr. Jefferson was elected Vice-President. In 1800 he was again nominated for President, and received a majority of votes over Mr. Adams. Two of Aaron Burr's friends withdrew, and Mr. Jefferson was elected. Mr. Jefferson's administration continued eight years, he having been elected for a second term. The most prominent measures of his administration, were the purchase of Louisiana from France; the embargo on the commerce and ocean-navigation of the United States; the non-intercourse and non-importation system; the gunboat experiment; the suppression of Burr's expedition down the Mississippi River; and the sending of an exploring company to the regions of the Rocky Mountains, westward to the Pacific Ocean. Mr. Jefferson also introduced the practice of communicating with Congress by message, instead of by a personal address; a practice followed by all the Presi dents since his time. At the close of his second Presidential term, Mr. Jefferson retired to private life, and amid the quiet scenes of Monticello, he spent the remaining seventeen years of his being, in philosophical and agricultural pursuits. Through his instrumentality, a University was founded in 1818, at Charlottesville, near Monticello, of which he was Rector until his death, and a liberal patron as far as his means would allow. Toward the close of his life his pecuniary affairs became embarrassed and he was obliged to sell his library, which Congress purchased for thirty thousand dollars. A short time previous to his death he received permission from the Legislature of Virginia to dispose of his estate by lottery, to pre vent it being sacrificed to pay his debts. He did not live to see it consummated. In the spring of 1826 his bodily infirmities greatly increased, and in June he was confined wholly to his bed. About the first of July he seemed free from disease, and his friends had hopes of his recovery; but it was his own conviction that he should die, and he gave directions accordingly. On the 3d he expressed an ardent desire to live until the next day, to breathe the air of the 50th anniversary of his country's independence. His wish was granted, and on the morning of the 4th, after having expressed his gratitude to his friends and servants for their care, he said, with a distinct voice, “I resign myself to my God, and my child to my country." These were his last words, and about noon on that glorious day he expired. It was a most remarkable coincidence, that two of the committee (Mr. Adams and Mr. Jefferson) who drew up the Declaration of Independence—who signed it— who successively held the office of Chief Magistrate— should have died at nearly the same hour, on the 50th anniversary of that solemn act. He was a little over eighty-three years of age at the time of his death. Mr. * Mrs. Randolph, whom he tenderly loved. Just before he died he handed her a morocco case, with a request that she would not open it until after his decease. It contained a poetical tribute to her virtues, and an epitaph for his tomb, if any should be placed upon it. He wished his monument to be a small granite obelisk, with this inscription: Here was buried THOMAS JEfferson. Author of the Declaration of Independence; Of the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom: Jefferson's manner was simple but dignified, and his conversational powers were of the rarest value. He was exceedingly kind and benevolent, an indulgent master to his servants, liberal and friendly to his neighbors. He possessed remarkable equanimity of temper, and it is said he was never seen in a passion. His friendship was lasting and ardent and he was confiding and never distrustful. Such is a brief outline of the history and character of this remarkable man. Politicians looked upon him as a most thoroughly qualified teacher of political science, and every way worthy to be regarded as authority on all points of governmental policy. Even at the present day the principles promulgated by him are regarded as the basis of correct political economy, by many distinguished patriots, and would be productive of great · service to the progress of our institutions, were they not distorted and abused by interested individuals for sinister motives and personal aggrandizement. CHAPTER XIII. 66 RICHARD STOCKTON. Integra mens augustissima possessio.” A mind fraught with integrity is the noblest possession. ALTHOUGH one of the most prominent and influential characters who figured in the Colonial struggles of our country, the portrait of RICHARD STOCKTON is not among those representing his distinguished colleagues, which grace the Hall of and add to the hallowed associations connected with the "Old State House." There are many endearing recollections clustering around the history of this interesting building which have no pictorial representation to please the inspection of strangers, or impress the lover of freedom and national honor with thoughts of patriotism. And among these is the memory of brave, bold patriots, who signed the Declaration, whose portraits have not been placed in this holy edifice-but whose biographies teem with valorous and undying fame. Such is the case with reference to Richard Stockton. As a signer of that great instrument which led to the emancipation of the United Colonies from the oppressive control of Great Britain; as a jurist, a statesman, and a man of talent; as a soldier and sufferer in the cause of his country, he should have the same deference extended to his memory, by placing his por trait among the glorious galaxy of heroes, whose likenesses illustrate the walls of Independence Hall. Reminiscences of such men come up before us while contemplating the scenes of our country's exaltation, and we feel that the shrines where such relics ought to be preserved are incomplete without them. It is true, history will keep their memories bright, but their forms should be preserved on living canvas, or made immortal in sculptured marble. We feel a holy reverence come over us while meditating on the places where deeds of valor have been performed by chivalrous and noble men, and although their achievements. glow brilliantly on the scroll of Fame, and forbid their names to die, yet there is something needed to intensify our thoughts and keep them more vividly concentrated on the history of the past. In no way can this be done more effectually than by painting in hues of glory, or representing in sculptured figures life-like portraitures of such patriots. Every signer of the "Declaration of Independence" belongs to Independence Hall. Their faces should glow within its sacred precincts with as much brightness as their fame graces and glorifies the pages of history. The City Councils could confer no greater blessing to posterity and to the archives of the country than by placing such representations there, together with all interesting relics which may be associated with their names. Upon such, future generations, as they visit this Mecca of our nation, can look with rapt admiration, and realize that they behold the actual representations of those who periled their "lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor" for the cause of Freedom, and nobly discharged their duties with a price set upon |