Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1816-08-21
Philadelphia, March, 1916.
Plan and Terms Of Subscription.

cedine notice of his intention to under
take this national publication, although it
aad long occupied his reflections. he was
not fully aware of its Importance, for ne
lad never suspected what the fact really
IS. that there is 40 where extant an au-
thentic published copy ofthe most inpor-
tant State Paper in the annals OF the
world.
The Original Declaration of Indepen-
dence, as deposited in the Secretary OF
States Office, was happily preserved
when so many valuable papers were con-
sumed by the enemy. Without dwelling
ansn slight differences, inaccuracies, Or
omissions, the first words which present
themselves in our printed copies, and
even as they are Of record on the Journals
of the Old Congress, are as follow:
"a Declaration by the Representatives
Of the United States Of America in Con-
,sress assembled, "-whereas in the origi-
nal the Declaration is thus headed -
q. The Unanimous Declaration of the
vhirteen United States OF America"
This is not mere verbal distinction;
ia involves difference in principle. Does
IL become Americans to be careless on
this subject, or ought interpolation or al
teration of any kind to be permitted in a
public document SO sacred? Ought il not
to be faithfully preserved and transmit
ted to posterity word for word, letter foe
letter, and point for point !? The Anne
rican public will unhesitatipgIV answer
Yes and the publisher stands pledged
to have 1t so engraved, and to accompa-
ny it with the requisite proofs Of authen-
ITCHY.
The size of the Paper will be Sc inches
by "a. 1t will be manufactured by MIR.
imies, in his best manner and OF the very
best materials.
The Design, which is from the pencil
Of MIR. Bridport, will be executed in Uni
tation of Bas Relief; and will encircle]
the Declaration as Gordon of honor, sur
by the Arms of the United
States. Immediately underneath the
arms will be large medallion portrait OF
General George Washington, supported
hy cornucopiae, and embellishsd with
Spears, Flags, and other Military trophies
md enbIems. On one side of this me-
,la!:on portrait, will be similar portrait
6 John Hancock, President OF Congress,
4ly 4, 1875 and on the other, pof-
ait Of Thomas Jefferson, author of the
Declaration Of independence.
The Arms g OF the Thirteen United
5tates,' in medalIions, united by wreathsI
f Olive Leaves, will form the remainder
{ the Gordon, which will be further en-
riched by some of the Characteristic pro-
lactions Of the United States; such as|
the Tobacco and Indigo Plants, the Cot
son Shrub, Rice, &c.
Z e whole Of the design, excepting thel
portraits, will be engraved by Mr.. Muir
ray, of Philadelphia, who has for scmeI
weeks been at work on the plate.
Mr.. Leney, of New-fork, will en-
grave the portraits.
By the advice OF all the artists engag
ed, the publisher has abandoned the ideal
Of p1iating the Declaration with TypesfI
and has determined to have the whole O.
it Engraved. The ornamental disposi-|
ton and style of the engraving OF the De-
claration of independence. which will &C.
capy the interior of the Gordon. will be
designed and executed by MIR. Fairman.
The fac SMILES will be engraved by|
Mr.. Valance, who will execute this i'm
portant part of the publication at the city
of Washington, where, BY permission OIL
the Secretary of State, he will have the
Original Signatures constantly under his
eye.
The public are well apprized that the
gentlemen whose names have been men
|foned, as undertaking particular depart I!
nents in the proposed publication are the /
irst artists in the United States, and they