The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-07-14
THE s6TH ANNIVERSARY.
FROM THE NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE
FOURTH OF lUIY

Among the many pleasing events which \
have recently occurred in our infant Me
tropoGs, we notice with real pride and sat
isfaction the animated and brilliant cele-
bration ofthe late Anniversary of our coun-
try's Independence.
The day was ushered in by federal sa-
lates at sunrise, the national standard being
conspicuously displayed at various places in
the city. Detached corps of the Militia OF the
City & Georgetown Were soon after rendez-
vousing at different points At half past o.
clock A. I'd. the Secretary ofWar, accompa
MED by the Secretary OF State, was escorted
by Capt. Peters company of Dragons, from
his house to the Presidents /; from whence
the Chief Magistrate and his family, &C
companicd by the Heads of Departments,
proceeded under the same escort, to the
Capitol. Here, mt about 10 O'Clock, they
were met by Gen. Van Ness, (who, attended
by Maj. Cox, had been previously escorted
thither by Capt. Caldwelfs troops of Ca
valry.) and during a federal salute of 18
guns by a detachment of Lieut.. Perkins ar
tillery, conducted into the Representatives
Hall (the House having adjourned tn IA late
hour) where they we're received by the
Committee OF arrangement who had prev-
ously attended judge Duval and Mr.. Rush
to that splendid apartment and where
they found a brilliant assemblage of Ladies
drawn together by the occasion. The Hall
pen, was soon filed by pbblic and private
gentlemen: and the surrounding crowd of
citizens and strangers, and was Cheered
with some elegant music by the Marine
Band. In the course of few minutes; the
audience having become composed judge
Duvail occupied the Speakers chair, and,
soon rising, after few PREDATORY remarks,
read the Declaration of Independence with
solemn.ty and dignity due to the subject
and the occasion. After short interval
which was supplied by music. Judge Duvan
having left the chair, Mr.. Rush assembled
and delivered an Grafton, whose merit, both
IN matter and manner, is beyond orr eulogy.
AS we understand the Committee is about
to apply to Mr.. Rush for copy for publica-
tion. we shall now only express our parti
cipation with an an applaudDg audience in
the animated expression OF their approba-
tion.
9 Here indeed was 4 sublime spectacle On
the 36th Anniversary Of our political birth
the record of our freedom. containing an
inimitaole exposition Of the principles &
causes OF the revolution solemnly read by
venerable patrint of its time and an ele-
giant address, taking comparative view of
the present and the former crisis of our
country delivered by the son of another pa :
triot OK the revolution, in the presence of
our constitutional rulers, the sons and dis
cipies of Washington, Franklin, Adams,
Hancock, Mercer, and the other fathers of
the nation, TO an audience in fact composed,
as it were, of the United States. The pub
lie mind was irresistbly led to a restrospect
OF the heroic times of re. Every counte-
nance beamed with the most ioyful emotions
OF the freeman's heart, and indicated an
emulation TO rival, at the present day, the
exploits of our immortal ancestors.
The President and the heads OF depart
Inents and their families soon afterwards
CaldwelPs horse to the Presidents House,
where an unusually numerous assemblage
OF ladies AID gentlemen, including large
portion OF the members OF Congress, soon
collected to offer and to interchange their
persohal respects and congratulations upon
the highly interesting occasion. In the mean
time about 500 Of the military of the LIST
legion of the militia of the district, princi-
pally in uniform and all well armed, exhi-
biting very martial appearance, under the
command of Col. Smith, were formed in
line Immediately in front of the Presidents
house where they made a very handsome
display, and were reviewed at about one o.
clock BY Gen. Van Ness, a ceremony in
which they are thought to have acquitted
themselves IN an excellent style. They then
paid to the President, accompanied by the
heads Of departments, number of officers
of the Army and Navy and an immense
conoourse OF spectators, at his door, a
marching salute. The other troops having
returned to the field of parade, Captain
Stul's company Of hHemen performed i'm
Tnediately in front Of the Presidents Porch,
In a mastery manner. a few appropriate
nlanGuvrcs very much to the satisfaction of
all who beheld them. We cannot with
hold our tribute Of appreciation of the mar
tlai appearance and conduct of the troops
generally, both horse and foot !; and it gave
us real qualification TO witness the salts
faction universally felt and expressed in re-
laton to them, BY gentlemen from all parts
OF the country. The troops being dismissed,
the officers and others paid their respects to
the head Of tho nation, their constitutional
Commander in Chief. who received them
with his usual uibanity.
At about three o'clock, the company, af-
ter having been agreeably entertained & re-
treshed, left the Presidents house At a.
bout o'clock. It very numerous party Ia
bout 200 guests consisting Of the heads OF
Departments, members Of both Houses Of
Congress, citizens and Strangers, sat down
to an elegant dinner preparedby MIR Tom
iinson. Gen. Van Ness presided, supported
b. Commodore TtnecV. CHa,tes Carroll,
Jamss II. Biake and Waifer Jones, esqs.
as Vice Presidents--an elegant band Of mu-
sic attended and added mich to the gaiety
and giadness of the scene. The company
was, indeed, very numerous and respecta-
bic; but We have never seen more order.
dccorum and universal good humor and hi