of his life the author found ample materials in the public records of the country, and in his own personal knowledge of Mr. Jefferson, which had continued through a period of twenty-seven years; during the last fifteen months of which their intercourse was frequent and familiar.
The author has, in the execution of his task, studiously aimed at accuracy, and he trusts he has essentially attained it. He has also aimed at impartiality; but, for the reasons already stated, he fears that this merit will be denied to him by but too many of those whose favour he would gladly have obtained. With a yet larger class, however, and especially those who have lately come, or are yet coming on the stage, he hopes to be more successful. To them he takes the liberty of suggesting, that from his close connexion and frequent intercourse with individuals of both parties, he has had the best opportunity to see the merits and the faults of which all sects, at once numerous and zealous, always have their full share; that he trusts they will find he has profited by his position, and has shown neither undue deference to one party, nor illiberality to the other; that he has neither withheld censure from those with whom he was politically associated, nor been niggardly in his praise of their opponents; and lastly, that in his review of Mr. Jefferson's opinions-no unimportant part of his life-while he has