Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1816-08-20
Plan aud Terms Of Subscription.

rum UglU eCFHGS ~ oDOoOf tpeIoH'
When The Published submitted the pre- !
ceding notice of his intention to under
Ike this national publication, although it
rad long occupied his reflections. he was
lot fully aware of its Importance, for he
ad never suspected what the tact really
:. that there is no where extant an au-
thentic published copy oftiie most impor-
.aat State Paper in the annals OF the
world.
The Original Declaration of Indepen,
jence, as deposited in the Secretary OF
states Office. was happily preserved
phen SO many valuable papers were con-
umed by the enemy. Without dwelling
qpon 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:
g. Declaration by the Representatives
If the United States Of America in Con-
.ress assembled, "-whereas in the orisi-
hal the Declaration is thus headed -
8 The Unanimous Declaration of the
Thirteen United States OF America"
This is not mere verbal distinction ;
IL involves difference in principle. Does
it become Americans to be careless on
this subject, or ought Interpolation or al
teration of any kiad to be permitted in a
nublic documeat so sacred? Ought it not
to be faithfully preserved and transmit
ted to posterity word tor word, letter for
letter, and point for point? The Anne
rican n;hiic will unhesitatingl answer
Yes and the publisher stands pledged
20 have Il 80 engraVed, and to accompa-
ny it With the requisite proofs OF anthem
ticity.
by "a. 1t will be manufactured by Mr.
imies, in his best manner and Of the very
best materials.
The Design, which is fran the pencil
of Mr.. Bridport, will be executed in imi
tation of Bas Relief; and will encirclel
The Declaration as a Gordon of honor, sur
by the Arms CT the Unltedl
States. Immediately underneath theI
arms viii be large medallion portrait OF
General George Washington, supported
bv cornucopiae, and ennbellished WITH
Spears, Flags, and other Military trophiesl
and emblems. On one side OF this me-
lalion portrait, will be similar pertraltI
e John Hancock, President Of Congress,
+ iy 4, lT76; and on the other, por-
rait of Thomas Jefferson, author of the
Declaration Of independence.
The Arms : Of the Thirteen United
'tates," in medallions, united By wreathsI
II Olive Leaves, will form the remainder
# the Gordon, which will be further en-I
riched by some Of the characteristic pro
iuctiens of the United States such al
Inc Tobacco and Indigo Plants, the Cot
ton Shrub, Rice, &c.
The whole of the design. excepting thel
portraits, will be engraved by MIR. Muir
ray. of Philadelphia, who has for some
weeks been at work on the plate.
Mr.. Leney, of New-York, will en-
grave the portraits.
By the advice 0! all the artists engag
ed. the publisher has abandoned the ideal
OF printing the Declaration with TSpes'I
and has determined to have the whole o
Il Engraved. The ornamental DISPOSE
ton and style of the engraving Of the De-
claration Of independence. which will oc-
capy the interior of the Gordon, will be
designed and executed by MIR. Fairman.|
The fac SMILES will be engraved BY
Air. Valance, who will execute this in
oortant part of the publication at the cit,
Of Washington, where, by permission o.
the Secretary OF State. he will have the
original Signatures constantly under hi
eye.
The public are well apprized that toe
gentlemen whose names have been men
noned, as undertaking particular depar'
nents in the proposed publication are ii
tirst artists in the United States, and they l