Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1818-12-14
For the Gazette.

For the Gazette.
Mr.. SEowDEN,
In your paper Of the llth inst. appeared
| the proceedings of the grand jury of Alex
andria county, upon the subject ofrestoins
/, il to the state Of Virginia. The subject on
which the citizens Of the county are called
! to decide, BY this respectable boiy. is of
/; too momentcus anatute to be hastily acted
on. II ought to be borne in mind, that if a
recession is made, it can never be-recalled.
| 1t behoves US, therefore, calmly and dis
passionately to look at file consequences Of
the measure.
It's with the view Of bringing the minds
of my fellow citizens to certain important
considerations, connected with this subject,
that trouble you now i; have thought
much Of it-and the few remarks mean to
make, are the result OF my most cool medi-
tation.
The following points merit the serious
consideration Of the people:
! /. Can congress constitutionally make
the recession EE
2. If it can be conslitutionally made,
what will be the effect OF a recession Of Al
exandria county upon the continuance of
the seat Of government at Washington?
8. Will il be expedieni for the people of
Alexandria county to be restored upon any
terms to The state ofViginia
a. II expedient, what are the terms on
which the people ought 10 consent TO be re-
coded to Virginia?
| Upon the first question il strikes me, that
congress being merely an ordinary ltgisla-
ture, have no power to recede the county Of
Alexandria to Virginia. The 9Th section Of
the Constitution Of the United States de-
clares, that" congress shall have power to
exercise exclusive legislation in all cases
whatever over such district Of country, mot
exceeding ten miles square) as may, by the
cession Of particular states, and the accept
ance OF congress, become the seat OF 60
vernment of the United States"
The legislature Of Virginia, by an act
passed the Sd day Of December, 1859, for
ever coded and relinquisEed that part OF
the state now called the county OF Alexan.
dria, to the congress and government Of the
United states, g in full and absolute right,
as well Of soil as OF persons residing, or 10
reside, thereon-pursuani to the tenor and
effect OF the 9th section of the Isl article of
the constitution Of the United States"
On the 18th fully, 1890, congress ac-
cepted the cession made by the states of
Maryland and Virginia, and passed law,
establishing the permanent seat Of the go.
vernment Of the United States.
In December, 1900, the government re-.
moved to Washington, and in February,
1901, provided for the government of the
District. The permanent seat having been
thus established by these solemn acts Of the
state legislatures and congress, in pursuance
OF the authority given by the constitution,
congress having executed the trust, by fix.
Ing on The seat Of government, can have no
other power left, relating to the seat of GO.
vernment, other than that Of legislating for
the District. The power given congress
was not merely to fix on the seat OF govern.
ment-but the wise and experienced fra.
mers Of the constitution, for reasons which,
no doubt, appeared 10 them TO be solid,
used the precaution Of requiring tbe states
to relihquish their right-and congress &C.
cepts Of the grant, for the permanent seat Of
The government.
The seat of the government is the whole
district, and not merely the city Of Wash
ington and il congress can recede a part
Of the territory selected for that purpose,
they have the same right to cede the uhole.
2. What will be the effect of receding a
part Of the district? 1t will cause at no dis
tant day removal Of the government from
Washington. II will be the commence
meBt Of that measure which many have
been anxiously looking for.
3. Will it be expedient for the people Of
Alexandria county TO go back TO Virginia,
and be attached again to Fairfax county?
This is what hope none will consent to.
To do this, would be removing the seat Of
justice from the town into the woods, and
subjecting the people Of the town 10 ex.
IRENE inconvenience. If Alexandria is
made distinct county, and courts estab.
lisbed and held in Alexandria, we will be