The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1807-07-14
WASHINGTON JuIy g.

WASHINGTON July g.
The ANNIVERSARY of our Independence
was celebrated here with great and uncommon
zeal. An elevated fentiment of patriotifm per-
valed all ranks of fociety, who We'd with each
other in denominations of JOY on the return of
a day 70 erniuentiy calculated to npre noble
and generous feelings The young and the old,
the rich, and the poor, the republican and the
federalilt, all burned with indignat alton at the
wrongs of Britain, and avowed their unatera-
BILE purpofe to fled their lat drop of blood,
and fpend their laft farthne, fhoud the crihs
require il, in defence of their country. The
calm decition with which this determination
wa, expreded leaves us no room for doubt but
that in cafe of war what the heart prompts
the arm will execute.
The dawn of the day was announced by
grand faIute at the Navy Yard. at which in
ftant the colours of the various nations with
which we hold intercourse were RATED, all ex-
cept thofe of Britain, which was not feen here,
or in any other quarter of the city during the
day. Hitherto the flag of this nation had occu-
pied confpicuous place among thofe of the
powers in frendfhip with the United States.
On this occaiion it was juliy configaed to
marked obfcurity and neglect.
The volunteer companies of the militia Of
the diftritt of Columbia, commanded by eel.
M'Knny, alli0ed by major Young, paraded at
an early hour in front of the Prelident's houfe
competed of capt. Coxe's and capt. Danger
fields troops of cavalry, capt. Lynn's and capt.
Beatty's companies of light infantry, capt. Pat
terfon's artillery, capt. Bonialls riiiemeu, and
capt. Nourfe's infantry.
AT IL O'Clock the line was paffed in review
ny brigadier gen. Maion, attended By majors
Bcal, Jones, and Sprigg, and feveral ;her Off
GERS on hcrfeback-when various evolutons
and frings from the artillery, and mutketry
took place Thefe done, the troops formed in
an open column, and paid the marching falute
to the Prehdent fand'ng in the north portico of
his houfe, attended by the fectetaries of war
and of the navy, gen. Wilkinfon, gen. Maion,
col. Wharton, and a number of officers Of the
army, navy, and militia after returning to
their ground the troops were difmifed, and
their officers waited on the Pre6dent.
II gave us infinite pleafure to witncfs the zeal
difplayed on this location by our neighbouripg
citizen folders all feemed to have been routed
by the late act of violence, and to have Wed
with each other, 10 thew TO the chief Magif
trate the alacrity with which free people will
fly TO arms, when the intereft and honour Of
their country are at fake. Particular praife is
due 20 he fevc-.l corps froH Alexandria, who
marched up in the morning and back in the E.
vening, making diltancc of about 90 miles to
perform this fervce.
The evoutions and ceremonies were execut.
ed with fpirit and precilion, the variant uni
forms of the different corps had fine effef,
and the whole was very handfome military
difpay well worthy of the day and the occa-
fion.
The Prshlent's room were, as ufua, open
ed for the reception Of company On no an
tecedent location has the aifcmbage been 70
great aud party fprit, which heretofore had
withheld number of leading federailts from
offering any public mark Of refpt & to the chief
Magiftraie, to the honor of human nature, gave
way to the patriotic feelings and uranimity cal
led for by the times, and large number of the
moi Respectable federafts heretofore in oppo-
fiion to the adnnnr4tion, made their flrR APP
pearance at the Prchdent's levee, and mingled
in pert, Ct cordially with their republican bre-
thren. Among the citizens prefent, were gen.
WiIkiDfon and his fuite, who bad arrived the
preceding night. While the company partook
OF 4 mot liberal fupply of refrelhments, they
were entertained by The performance of patu-
otto airs played at regular intervals by the fine
band attached to the maride corps, which was
placed IN the large hall, aid w.;oie tones, tho
loud and imptefve, did so', from the inter-
veninF ditaute, IN the leaf interfere with con.
veflation. No ont, az the public may ven ma-
gne, feemed mote at home on this occslOn (if
criticifm wil allow TIE eXpref!orj than The
chief magiHrate. How prOu] tie conGcious-
neis, how elevated the thoughts, how iweet
tie feelings inlpired by this day in the heart of
him, who, gnlidit all the vc,litudca Of fortune,
10 wen in the tempeR Of the revolution as the
iunihine of peace, undif'Dayed by danger, and
what ia itill more rare (unintoxicated Oy prof
perity and power has purified THE undcviatiog
courfe Of pltriotfm aud phiianthropy and un-
remilirgly employed his great powers ~ MUD
IL promoting the happinels OF his own country,
~ahout impairing that even of hottie " or Id
let not this he called aduldton or fyCophaDcy.
The crihs requires that every Independent A.
merca1 fbould fpelk wha; he thiake, it requires
tor, confidence in the government not that
nuEriih confidence that cOIdIy enjoi0s ier-
Torrance Of duty, bu. that full aud hearty on
Hdeuce that upbolds thofc who adminiiter tie
public concerns on the irrsGNible tide of public
opinion. WHAT then we think, we dare - FAY,