Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-07-07

marks to the reading Of the Declaration Of
independence made BY capt. George 1ounsgs,
at the Theatre on the 4th inst. which have
been politely furnished, at the request OF the
Field and other @ icersof the LegaeE, tor.
publication.
Gemlemen Officers, and The Prioatese the
2dkeian Of the Militia OF the district q
Columbia, and Fellozu-C Citizens.
THIS day, which we have assembled
together to celebrate, bears in the annals or
CTR country most distinguished rank
each return is marked with some peculiar
honor, and its morn is hailed with delight
1ul enthusiasm-th enthusiasm OF freemen
ss-itis the birth day of@our liberty, the day
which gave to us existence as atfee asad IN
dependent nation. 81 recount to you the
periis, Shardships and dangers of our fore
fathers, the first .settlers OF a savage wilder
ness, 5000 miles removed from the mother
konntry, and frequently almost without the
means of subsistence Or to relate to you
the manner ia which they warded oft the
dangers flat ID every auarteresnrTounded
them, and savcrted the threatened famines
which a wilderness and a savage foe often
presented to their view, would be a task OF
too much leneth for the present occasion,
: ard unnecessary to a people who, itiis pre-
sumed, are not ignorant of the settlement,
rise and progress of their own country.
1t would be equally unnecessary to re-
issrate the many acts OF injustice, oppression
and cruelty inflicted upon our forefathers by
mother country, whose fostering hand
should have been extended to pasronlze
these hardy adventures, who had risked
all, encountered all, TO establish in a new
country All ASYLUM of freedom, where the
liberty of conscience might be exercised
without controul.
Yet strange to-tell, that ungratetai, sun-
feeling country, in violation OF Its most sa-
cred faith, no.sooner saw these hardy adj
sventurers, the settlers of distant wilder
ness, the creators of new world, as it
were, begin to reap the rewards Of labors,
hardships and dangers unparalleled, than
ITS rapacious hand was extended to the A
knerican settlements where wrongs and
vstosa deg fs s Sc often practised, that the
sfthese worthy patriots swell
s eu e. of indignation that burst the
chains cf ssprssslon, and released them
fromsthc bonds ofxslavery. !.
The Declaration of Independence made
-by our fore atfers on the memorable 18th OF
sJuly. 1875, best speaks their suferngs, and
best pourtfays the injuries and crueltles
practieed upon them. sit conveys TO you
the opinions, sentiments and patriotism OF
those our ancestors who gave Us liberty
&c those rnapranimous souls who knewtheir
RIGHTS, and felt their injuries--who, trust
inc: TO the Justice Of their cause, appealed
to that God to whose DEGREES they bowed
with reverence, and under whose protecting
arm theyshad so often been sheltered-bold
Ivaleclaring their rights, and rushing with
confidence to the contest which would de-
eide tine a., the strife of battle they encoun-
tered they conquered.
That Declaration of independence, thus
setting forth their rights, and thus declar.
ing their freedom, and afterwards purified
by.the blood of sacrifice (during tedious
warl .of many a noble soul. furnished the
basis of our excellent constitution, formed
in the council of patriots, whose virtue and
wisdom stood universally acknowledged, al
>the head Of which presided WASHING.
ToS.
Those patriots who had been led BY tina,
great and best of men, through long and
tedious war; to the conclusion OF happy
peace. which secured to America independ
ence and freedom, were called upon by
united people to form system OF govern
ment conpenial to the feelings and senti
ments of freemen--They obeyed, and II
a council where wisdom and pre-emlnen
virtue presided, that consultation undo