Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1816-08-14
Philadelphia, March, 1916.
Pan and Terms Of Subscription.

cedipp notice of his intention to under
take this national publication, although II
had long occupied his reflections. he was
not fully aware of it's Importance, for he
had never suspected what the tact reall'
is that there IS no where extant an au,
thentic published copy ofthe most impor-
tant State Paper in the annals OF the
world.
The Original Declaration of Indepen-
tIence, as deposited in the Secretary OF
States Office, was happily preserved
when so many valuable papers were con-
|sumed by the enemy. Without dwelling
upon slight differences, inaccuracies, OF
omissions, the first words which present
themselves in cur printed copies, and
even as they are of record ON the Journals
|of the Old Congress, are as follow:
GA Declaration by the Representatives
|of the United States of America in Con-
eress assembled, "-whereas In the origi-
nal the Declaration is thus headed
"The Unanimous Declaration OF the
Thirteen United States of America"
This is not a mere verbal distinction ;
lit involves difference in principle. Does
lit become Americans to be careless on
this subject, or ought Interpolation or al
teraticn Of any kind to be permitted IN a
public document so sacred Ought it not
to be faithfully preserved and transmit
ted to posterity word for word, letter tor
letter, and point for point ? The Anne
rican public will .unhesitatiDgl answer
Yes ! and the publisher stands pledged
to have 1t so engraved, and t. accompa-
ay it with the requisite proofs OF aathen-
ITCHY.
The size of the Paper will be Sc inches
by "a. 1t will be manufactured by Mi.
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 iml-
tation of Bias Relief; and will encircle
,he Declaration as Gordon Of honor, sur
mounted by the Arms Of the United
states. Immediately underneath the
arms will be large medallion portrait OF
General George Washington, supported
By cornucopiae, and enbellished with
Spears. Flags, and othe, Military trophies
iand embIems. On Que side Of this me
|dallion portrait, will be similar portrait
Of John Hancock. President OF Congress
|july 4, 1875 and on the other, peF
trait of Thomas Jefferson, author OF the
declaration of independence.
The Arms s. of the Thirteen Unltee
States,'' in medallions, united by wreatH,
of Olive Leaves, will form the relnalnde'
Iof the Gordon, which will be further ell
|riched by some of the characteristic pro
luctiens of the United States /; such "a
the Tobacco and Indigo Plants, the Coz
ton Shrub, Rice, &c.
The whole Of the design, excepting the
portraits, will be engraved by MIR. Muir
raw, of Philadelphia, who has for some
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 idea
OF printing the Declaration with Iypesi
land has determined to have the whole o.
lit Engraved. The ornamental d,sposl-
| ton and style of the engraving OF the De-
Iclaration of independence. which will oc-
lcapy the interior of the GORDON, will be
designed and executed by Mr.. Fairman
The fac SMILES will be engraved by
Mr.. Valance, who will execute this i'm.
oortant part Of the publication at the cit:
# Washington, where, by permission OF
ne Secretary of State, he will have the
| original Signatures constantly under his
Ye.
| The public are we'll apprized that the
gentlemen whose names have been men
! oned, as undertaking particular depart
,,nts in the proposed publication are the
inst artists in the United States, and they