Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-07-24

AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE.


ed the Patriots spirit--no one can read it
now, without acknowledging that it was
written with all the prophets fire. How
admirably prophetic is this important do
cument y: Forty suns have passed AWAY !;
but how just is every prediction The
same demonstrations of joy are indulgesl-
the same love or country, the same tri-
umph OF principle yet slistens in the eyes
of the descendants OF 70
Venerable old man YOU have not under
rated the patriotism OF our countrymen.-
You did them justice in the character
which you have depicted. The event
which you have mentioned in such empha.
TIC strains, is yet commensurate to your
high born expectations; full of great e.
vents, as the intervening period has been,
1t produces no parallel to the act which
you have described. The history of the
world does not embrace its superior.
PHILADELPHIA, July S, 1916.
yesterday the greatest question decided
which was ever debated ia Amerca, and a greater
perhaps, never was. or will be, decided among
men. A resoutoa passed, without one dis
seating coepy, &c That these colonies are, and
e right ought TO be free and Independent
The day is passed. The fourth day of July.
i176, will be memorable epoch in the history of
America am apt TO b. iiere it .,iH BE- celebrated
ny succeeding generations the great anniversary
,'est;vG. H oMSht 10 De concentrated as the day
." Dnb, Eta nee, by solemn acts OF devotion
TO Almighty God. thought to be solemnizod with
pomp, shows, games. sports, guns, bells, boniires,
ahu Nominations, from one end of the continent to
the other, from this time forward, forever. You
VIII think me transported with enthusiasm but
am not am we'll aware OF the toll and biol and
treasure tina, ii viii cost IN maintain this de-
c'araton, and support aud defend these States
YET, through all the gloom, see the rays OF
light and glory. can that the end il more than
worth all the means, and that posterity viii tri-
nmph' St'oush vow and may rue, which hope
we shall not. am, SIC.
JOM0r ADAMS.
Is it generally known that the world are
indebted for this iilustrious event to the
Convention of Virginia that it was they
who first recommended tho Declaration of
Independence to the Congress of the Uni
ted States ?-The official acts of Congress
had not yet squinted at a separation-tle
most which they had done, was TO autho-
rize reprisals upon the British cruizers-
but no declaration had ever escaped. them,
which refused to recognize the constitute
onal authority of the British Parliament.
The bold idea had been whispered in pri-
waite circles--or suggested in anonymous
essays-but the Virginia Convention was
the first public body which rent the veil.
and openly pronounced the idea of indie
pendence. Nor did they do it in a corner,
or by divided and hesitating voice-but
by the unanimous concurrence of the as
sembled Convention. The following is the
state paper in which il is brought forward.
1t is document of great interest-seldom
seen but to what monentous Conseouen>
ces has 1t conducted AS soon as these
resolutions were received, they were pre-
sented by member of Congress from Vr-
ginia-a committee was appointed-and
on the 18th OF July the Declaration of InIe-
pendence was sealed
WiLLIAmsDUnGH, May.
IN Contention, present one hundred and ..pef,s
members, May IS. 1916.
Forssauch as all the endeavours of The limited
Colonies by the most decent representations and
petitions to the King and Parliament OF Great
britain, to restore peace and security to America
under the British government, and reunion with
that people upon just and liberal terms, Instead
OF redress OF grievances, have produced, from an
imperous and vinaictive administration, increased
insult, oppression, and vigorous attempt to eC-
feet our total destruction. By late act all these
colonies are declared to he in rebellion, end out of
The protection ola British crown, orr properties
subject to coatiScati0n, our peOple, when cqntiya.
ted, compelled to Join ia the murder and plnnder
OF their relations and countrymen, and all former
raHi.e and oppression of Americans, declared LEGAL
and ylst Fleets and armies are raised and the
aid OF foreign troops engages. to assist these de-
struciive purposes. The Kings representative in
this colony hath not only withheld all the powers
ct government from operating for our safety, bat
having retired Oh board an armed snip, is carry
ing on pn"tical and savage agsiGst us, tempt
ing our slaves by every srt6ce to resort to him.
and training and employing them against the ir
masters. Ia this state of extreme danger We
have no a'ternat We left but sbiect Submission IN
The WIZ o. those Over-hearing tyrants or q total
separation rom the crown and government of g.
Britain, uniting and exerting the strength of all
America for defence, and forming alliances with
foreign powers for commerce and aid i'm war
wherefore, appealing to the searcher Of hearts for
ue sincerity otformer declarations, expressing
our desire to preserve the connection with that
nation, and that we arcdriven from that incnation
by their wicked councils, and the eternal laws Of
self preservation
Rcsoiued 11ia,iimously, That the delegates an
pointed TO represent this colony in General Con-
gress DC instructed to propose to that respectable
body to declare TIE united colonies free and indie
pendent states, absolutely from all allegiance In
or dependence upon, the crown or parliament of
Great-Brit9in and that they give the assent of
THIS colony to such declaration, and to whatever
measures may be thought proper and necessary
by the Congress, for forming foreign alliances and
confederation of the colonies at such time. and
III the manner, as to them shall seem best Proyi-
seq, that the power OF forming government for,
aud the regulation ct the internal concerns of eaeh
colony, be left to the respective colonial leeisa-
lures
HesofUed unanimously, That n committee be
appointed TO prepare q declaration OF rights. and
such plan Of government as will be most Iksiy
to mnntaIn peace aud Orderin this colony and az.
cure substantial aud equal liberty 70 the people