Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1816-08-22
Plan and Terms of Subscription.

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When he Publishe submitted the pre-
cling notice of his intention to under
AXE this national publication, although I'll
al long occupied his refiec tons. he was
1T fully aware Of its Importance. Tor he
al ne, er suspected what the TACT really
;. that theretis no where eXtant an au-
taentic Published copy ofthe most impor-
ant State Paper in the annals OF The
world.
The Original Declaration of Indepen
,encc. as deposited in the Secretary OF
.,,atc's Office. was happily preserved
when SO maay valuable papers we're con-
,uned by The enemy. Without dwelling
mon 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
lof the United States Of america IL Con
press assembled, whereas in the orisl-
nal the Declaration is thus headed -
). The Unanimous Declaration of the
Thirteen United states of Amefi a."
This Is not a mere verbal distinction ;
If involves difference in principle. Does
1t become Americans TO be careless on
his subject, or ought interpolation or al
teration of any kind to be permitted in a
oubIic document 50 sacred Ought it net
to be faithfully preserved and transmit
Ted to poste,ity word for word, letter for
Ater, and point Cor point ? 'he Anne
< an public will u1hesitatagl answer
yes and tie publisher stands pledged
to have It so engraved, and to accompa-
ny it with the requisite proofs OF authen
ITCHY.
The size of the Paper viii be 50 inches
by "a. IT will be manufactured by Mr..
Nmies, in his best manner and oi the very
best materials.
The Design. which is from the pencil
of Mr.. BriAport, will be executed in imi
tation Of Bias Relief; and will encircle
the Declaration as a Gordon of honor, sur
mouutcd by the Arms of the United
States. Immediately underneath the
arms viii be large meiaIlio,, portrait Of
General George Washington, supported
by cornucopiae, and ep'bellished with
Spears, Flags, and other Military trophies
aat emblems. On one SIDE of this NE.
e.ation portrait, will be similar portrait
{ John Hancock. President o. Congress,
d! "A, 1870 and on the other, poi
AIT of Thomas Jefferson, author OF the
declaration Of independence.
The Arms :. OF the Thirteen United
tates.'' in mcdallioDs, united by wreaths
i olive Leaves, will form the remainder
f the Gordon, which will be further en-
riched by some of the Characteristic pro-
,lactiens of the United states; such as
ehe Tobacco and Indigo Plants, the Cot
ION Shrub, Rice, &c.
The whole Of the design. excepting the
portraits, will be engraved by MIR. Muir
raw, of Philadelphia, who has Tor some
weeks been at work on the plate.
MIR. Leney, of New-Y York, will en-
grave the portraits.
Ry the advice OF all the artists ensag
ed, the publisher has abandoned the idea
OF printing the Declaration with Typesl
aud has determined to have the whole O.
it Engraved. The ornamental dfsposl-
ton and style OF the engraving Of the De-
claration Of independence. which Will oc-
cany 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
Of Washington, where, by permission OF
the Secretary of State, he will have tn
Signatures constantly under his
eye.
The public are well apprized that the
cntlemen whose names have been mer
toned. as undertaking particular depart
,entsit the proposed publication are tie
.lrst artists in the United States, and they