Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-02-26

respecting the intcrment OF the re,icts OF A.
merican seamen, soldiers and citizens who
persisted on board the JERSEY PRISON
SHIP during the revolutionary war, now
lying on the shores of the Wallahout, (Lone
lsland) beg leave to submit the subject OF
their appointment to the consideration of
the surviving relatives and friends oil those
unfortunate persons in every part of the u.
states, and OF their enlightened and patrio-
otto fellow citizens ut large.
Various attempts have been made to ac-
complish this important and interesting OBJ
Ject. But individual exertions have hither.
to proved incompetent and the public sem
si5ility, too much occupied by other consi-
deratiens, has not as yet been sufficiently
excited by the appeals that have been made
TO it.
This Indifference, so prevalent to the me-
mory OF those our country's brave Defend
ers, who fell victims to the unreienting cru
city nj her enemies, while it must fill every
ingenious mind with regret, IS calculated to
NIX upon the American nation charge,
"hici, while they a5hor, they at once pro-
yoke and justify by their conduct.
Perhaps, in the history of nations, there
Is no TRAIT ct human nature more strongly
and clearly telncated, than the impassion-
ca and dcvcut regard which is entertained
and exhibited for the survivor uf glorious
ana w2ril&e enterprises, towards the me
,aofy OK their companions in arms, who be-
ing engaged IN the same conflicts, sharing
tue same dangers, animated by the same
love ct country atchieving the same victory,
OF sustaining the. same defeat with them
selves, have found an honorable grave. In
some countries their bodies have been en-
2a!med; IN other monuments have been e.
rectr" IN commemoranon of their heroic
consistency ana valor, and their contempt of
aeath And in all, the memory of their
deeds has been perpetuated, their names
nave been earoled in the faithful volume
or h'story, and handed down 10 pusterity, and
they still live in their virtuous examples.
and the immortality of their fame.
Shall america furnish an exception to a
custom So firmly established, so rational, so
mer'torious Shall it be said-Americans
nave already forgotten their slaughtered
coun'rymen; that, as they behold the earth
stu strewed with their bones, they can pass
calmly and indifcrentlv by, and refuse them
the tribute of SIGH" and the common RI
SEES vi lnterment; and that, in the full en-
JoyWent OF Independence, they can shew
the most untelllng neglect TO the toll, the
u easure, and the blood of which it is the
purchase.
The society by which this committee is
appointed are encouraged to think that such
WIZ not be the else. But that their exer-
tons to recue from oblivion, and place on an
imperishabe basis, the memory of a large
portion OF those who persisted in the rcvo-
iutionaiy contest, will meet with suitable
counteRancc and support.
They have long INDUCED the hope, that
others to whom the task with equal if NOT
greater propriety belonged would undertake
IT'S execution. They nave been anxious TO
avoid the appearance of an ostenta tious dis
play before the public. and would cheerful
~ nave lent their humble aid to any mea-
Sures which, the general or their state 90
Verninent might have adopted on the occasi-
on. Being disappointed in their wishes, and
considering that the first and greatest object
o. their constitution is the promotion of the
'-''erests, the welfare and the honor of their
country, they have at length resolved to o.
rlginate measures OF this subject.
They have accordingly appointed this
committee and invested them with powers
TO form plan for the intcrment of,that
portion of the remains of their countrvmen
now lying on the shores Of Long Island
me committee have procured from JOHN
JANf.SON, Esq on whose farm they were
deposited, and where they now lie, a deed
OF a piece Of ground, conspicuously and ad-
vantageously situa ed being the head of the
Navy Yard, and which will not be affected
oy any regulations that NAV hereafter take
place. lie has already planted some trees
81 an appropriate description on the spot
selected and has given the society Dermis-
SION to inter the bones in such manner and
with such solemnities as they may think pro-
per
IL is considered by the society that no fur.
further delay ought to take place They
have accordingly sanctioned the plan re-
ported to them, which it is intended shall
be Carried into effect as soon as the season
will admit.
IN the mean time, the relatives and friends
OF those unfortunate persons, and also our
fellow citizens at large, are requested to
forward immediately, either TO BFNIAmIN
RoMAiNE, Esq. Grand Sachem of Tam
many Society, JOHN JACKSON, ESD or the
Chairman of this committee, by nail or O.
ther safe conveyance, such information as
may be IN their possession or knowledge Of
the names, places of birth, age, rank and
fcmiiies ct those pefson together with
such Circumstances respecting each as NAV
be int esting, particularly such as relate
TO their situation and suferngs on board
the sad ship. This information is indis-
pensibly necessary, as tits contemplated to
erect monument, emblematcal in its de-
sign aud execution, and descriptive of the
events about to be commemorated. It is
also important IN an historical point of view,
and, VIII be useful TO the present generation
and % posterity.