business, his embargo policy, and his policy or want of policy after the failure of the embargo, in these cases, and perhaps in these alone, his defects are exhibited. It is certain also that although at times frank and outspoken to a fault, he was at other times over-complaisant and insincere. To Aaron Burr, for example, he expressed himself in terms of friendship which he could hardly have felt; and, once, in writing to a minister of the gospel he implied, upon his own part, a belief in revelation which he did not really feel. It seems to be true also that Jefferson had an overweening desire to win the approbation of his fellow-countrymen ; and at times, though quite unconsciously to himself, this motive led him into courses which were rather selfish than patriotic. This was the case, perhaps, in his negotiations with the English minister after the failure of the embargo. It is charged against him, also, that he avoided unpleasant situations; and that he said or did nothing to ;. check the Republican slanders which were cast upon Washington and upon John

Adams. But when this much has been said, all has been said. As a citizen, husband, father, friend, and master, Jefferson was almost an ideal character. No man was ever more kind, more amiable, more tender, more just, more generous. To her children, Mrs. Randolph declared that never, never had she witnessed a particle of injustice in her father, never had she heard him say a word or seen him do an act which she at the time or afterward regretted. He was magnanimous, as when he frankly forgave John Adams for the injustice of his midnight appointments. Though easily provoked, he never bore malice. In matters of business and in matters of politics he was punctiliously honorable. How many times he paid his British debt has already been related. On one occasion he drew his cheque to pay the duties on certain imported wines which might have come in free, — yet made no merit of the action, for it never came to light until long after his death. In the presidential campaigns when he was a candidate, he never wrote a letter or made a sign

to influence the result. He would not say a word by way of promise in 1801, when a word would have given him the presidency, and when so honorable a man as John Adams thought that he did wrong to withhold it. There was no vanity or smallness in his character. It was he and not Dickinson who wrote the address to the King, set forth by the Continental Congress of 1775; but Dickinson enjoyed the fame of it throughout Jefferson's lifetime.

Above all, he was patriotic and conscientious. When he lapsed, it was in some subordinate matter, and because a little selfdeception clouded his sight. But in all important matters, in all emergencies, he stood firm as a rock for what he considered to be right, unmoved by the entreaties of his friends or by the jeers, threats, and taunts of his enemies. He shrank with almost feminine repugnance from censure and turmoil, but when the occasion demanded it, he faced even these with perfect courage and resolution. His course as Secretary of State, and his enforcement of the embargo, are examples.

Jefferson's political career was bottomed upon a great principle which he never, for one moment, lost sight of or doubted, no matter how difficult the present, or how dark the future. He believed in the people, in their capacity for self-government, and in their right to enjoy it. This belief shaped his course, and, in spite of minor inconsistencies, made it consistent. It was on account of this belief, and of the faith and courage with which he put it in practice, that he became the idol of his countrymen, and attained a unique position in the history of the world.