Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-11-01
By JOHN S4.NDERS0yN.
TO THE PIJRJJC ,

TO THE PUBLIC
When We consider The personal qualities
OF The statesmen whose names are affixed to
the Declaration of Independence, the peri
lOus occasion which demanded the exercise
oil ihe,r wisdom and deiitrration, and The
influence OF their councils OH the Interests of
mankiiri, we must acknowledge tha very
rarely more I'M! osIng spectacle has reen
offered 10 The wU'ld, and We shall seek IA
vain IA the hnna's OF DatIUns, iur an event
more worthy u commemorative, and at icing
cherished forever in lie hearts of a gr.,-tul
AMI &, nerou, peupIe. he love of indepen.
dtnCe is infeiwoycn with the frame amt con.
sttulion "i The human mind. l. is almost
the first sentiment that anrmares the infants
features III the cru!ie ana amongst all the (
actions md enterprises of man, none has
awa6rd into activity greater .xerllon of the
vIrtuous energies vi his nature, none has ex-
cited greater warmth ut vpneration, aud
has more I'm erIOus claims upon Oui graft
tnit, than resistance % tyranny and political
aggression.
In All republican states the first tribute Of
genius has been paid 10 lbr patriot or The he
:" who has promoted The Cause OF liberty and
Maintained the independence and dIgnii, Of
m n. The animated canvas and lreaihing
marble have rescued his features from the
crap OF death. ahh the pen of the hist, RAN
'Ir> Inscribed tn. achievements to thu iupe-
isbdOle records fame. Ii would inti, ed
no favor bic prog nOstic nf he perp.tuity-
1 our :epuolIC N insIitu IONS H. disCo,e an
r'sfnaibIlIty to The Obligations We owe the
memory OF the iiluslrloLs patrons vi American
.edom. hey have raised us, 10y their
aagnanImiy, from the arbitrary dolninicn of
'!oreisn power, to The distinguished eli atIon
81 sovereign and indt pen lent people they
nave asserted and maintained the Imprsctip.
tlole rights OF humanity by tie =" mutual
pledge OF their pieGge OF their ives, their for
unes and their sacred nonOr> - and. as long
rs virtue holds her empire IN the hearts of
'heir successors, the example of these gene.
Tous beneiactors will not be los; TO the world;
their names will not pass away nor be t,rgot-
ten, or their glorious deeds be cunfountied in
he common and casual transactiun OF hi. -
ingratltude is vice that IN nations, as we'll
as individuals, indicates the last degree Of
uegeneracy and corruption il is Vie, that
| implies the ab.enCe of every yiru. it was
! IN the age OF Cdiigula tina. the name OF the
Scipios was prescribed, that The state Of
Brutus brought death on its possessor.
The glory of our ancestors is the light Of
not be offered to the merits of the iIu.triuus
dead with an effectua or sterile admiration.
Great and splendid actions will seldom be
achieved by men who have hum Die or ordi.
nary objects in prospect Il is by contempla-
ting the life and character OF those who are
marked out from the multitude by their emf
nent qua lies. that we become emuous Of
their virtues and their re nown. The trophies
&c int. 4 III. &c
tocles and fheseus, hearing the exploits of
Hercules. was fred it'll his sp,rs, and be-
came The successful rival of his fame. The
rude savage OF the desert listens with rapture
TO the deeds of his ancestors, and hang. az
round his hut the emblems Of his fathers va
lour.
More need not be said to enforce the Utility
Of the publication we have undertaken. and
which We now submit 10 the patronage of our
fellow citizens. with a hope, thai from the
liberality OF their encouragement, we shall
BIZ able TO prest mt il TO the public worthy OF
their appreciation We must Depend fr the
illustration oi many OF the characters Of our
biography, upon The generosity OF their sur
win: relatives and friends, I, furnish US with
whatever int. resting materials may te in their
possession; for which, with our grateful &C.
entire work as a compensation
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will be rubliihtd in numbers or
half volumes Of goo pages. oct 70. and
contained in ten numbers, To The first
will be- preixef an appropriate fronlis-
piece AMI the work will BE- CONNIE need
with the declaration OF independence, with
engraved lac similps of the signatures and
compendiou, detail OF the proceeding Of
congress, curing the passage OF the law.
Each 81 the lives. unless wi en- il is i'm
practicable. will b. preceded by ike
ness e the person, engraved by the best
artists m the Unh'd States,
II. L will be printed on = \ paper, made
expressly fr tie purW sod delivered
t" subscribers q 100 20. Witty etnts
~ Inscriptions Iss. IS Office
aaishar ~ - 49, ~ q