Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-07-10
EOURTH OLE lily

PETERSBURG, July T.-DDe AnniVer-
sary ofAMERiCAN INDEPENDENCE,
was celebrated in this town on SATURDAY.
last, III the usual enthusiastic manner.
Although on this occasion, we were less
prompt in making the customary ar
rangements for the festival of freedom /:
yet, when the day arrived. the manner in
which 1t was greeted, sufficiently evinced,
that the citizens of Petersburg had LOST
none of their attachment 10 the princi-
pies Of the revolution, none of their ara-
tiiude TO those immortal patriots who at
clneved our independence, and none of
their veneraiion for the memory of those.
who yielded up their lives in The ranks of
Liberty.
The recomm endations of the commit
tee of arrangement, contained i'm the err
der OF the day published on Friday, were
observed by the military and citizens -
The dawn OF morning was announced by
the hring of cannon, &c. At half past
nine O'Clock, the different v@lunteer com
panies ofthe town, having bees previous
~ paraded at Their respective places Of
rendezvous, formed on Tue Market Square /:
from whence, under the command of
Major Joseph Bragg, Marshal of the
Day, they were marched TO ihe Presbyte-
riaH Church. AT the Church had assem-
bied one of the most numerous audien-
ces we have ever seen in Petersburg. All
the beauty and fashion of the town were
there and there were likewise to be seen,
many OF lis most aged and respectable
inhabitants, some of whom had been con-
spicnous actors III the perilous scene of
l776 The atmosphere was remarkably
dense and cloudy and the heat very op-
pressive. The crowd was great; il is sup
posed the Church contained a!ouia thou
sand persons yet many, very many
were there, who pressed in vain for admit
lance.
Three discharges of cannon were the
signal for the proceedings al the Church !;
which were commenced by the singing
the following Anthem of praise 10 The
Deity
ANTHEM. IHundredth Psalm.
To God who rolls tile nrbs of light,
Who rides upon the tempests wings;
Saves ihro' the pe.ils of tie fight;
In humble gratitude we sing
He taught orr sages VISIONS page,
He gave our soldiers daring, brave
To quell the naughty tyrant's rage /;
lie babe our sailors sweep the wave.
When dangers thicken'd tIIro' the land
Aud all around was bloody strife,
jehovah, helper raised his hand
And gave US liberty and life.
Then LET the anthem loud rcsound,
And up TO Heaven hoSannss ring:
1brO God we Independence found,
To him i'll gratitude we sing.
JAMES S. GILLIAN, ESQ. read The De-
claraiion of Independence. i'm solemn.
Impressive and empaihatic manner. Mir.
Gillian made no comments on the in
siTument and as soon as he sat down.
Tive iaYoriie national tune 4" Hull CoIunn-
Jia," vas given in elegant style by the
Band of Amateurs.
WILLIAM NJ. ATKINSON. Esur. then
rose and delivered the Grafton which was
received with the most general, loud and
long continued plaudits. The proceed
ing5 at the Church were concluded By
singing new patriotic Ode, composed for
The occasion by Mr. John M'Creery =
Ih5S Ode Oa oar iast pre-.
a Twelve o'clock precisely grand .fe-
derat suite was fired from Centre Hill.
In tie evening, there were several din
ing parties. The largest one assembled
at balII springs. At This place. the com
pauy, consisting Of $50 gentlemen sat
dUwn about o'clock 10 dinner prepar-
cd by Mr.. WARMER. Major EDWARD
PEscUD Uhe Mayor presided, assisted
by DR.. RICHARD FIELD, and GEO. II.
JONES, esq. After lie cloth Was reno
we'd, the following Toasis, accompanied
by soags and cheers, were drank.
|. The ABnirersry If our IadopendeRce-A DAY
which bnmDled a yyraut, anu exalted Man.
q guns, Hail Col
2. Jhe Declaration of TaGeperdeace-I am a
CIIlIEN--The proud title Of distinction,
which guarantees to all. equal laws aud equal
rights. > guns, Ymiee DOodfe.
3. The Congress Of Serenity SIG" a pillar of
iiIe guided man TO he free" g,us, lHarseiHes
Hymn
:. Memoryof Wasdiagion ~ onsscratcd by The
most last.ag monument peoples love. Hush.
Narch.
=. TIE msE2ry Of Frapl'ia-- Who was alike