Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-12-17
By JOHN SlyFDERSO.N,
TO THE PURI.IC

When we consider the personal ou,E,;,.
OF the statesmen whose names are atfysd -
the Declaration of independence, the n.,
lous occasion which demanded the eyer,ion
OF their wisdom and deliberation, and Tho
influence OF their councils on the interests nj
mankind, we must acknowledge that yerv
rarely more imposing spectacle has BEEN
offered to the world, and We shall Seek IN
vain IN the annals OF nations, for an even,
more worthy OF commemoration, and ofhe;ns
cherished forever in The hearts of grateful
and generous people. The love of inGenen.
dence is interviewer with the frame and con.
stItuilon OF &c human mind. II is almor
the trst sentiment that animates the infant,
features in the cradle and amongs. ali ,be
actions and enterprises of man, none has
aWaied into activity greater exertion olhs
vlrtuous energies OF his nature, none has e,.
cited greater warmth OF veneratjop. and
has more inperious claims upon our gra,
llidt, Than resistance 10 tyranny and pollllcay
aggression.
In all republican states the first tribute q
genius has been paid to the patriot or the he.
TO who has promoted the cause of liberty and
maintained the independence and dignity Of
man. The animated canvas and breathing
marble have rescued his features from be
grasp oil death, and the pen Of the hisloria.
has Inscribed The achievements 10 The impe.
rishabIe records OF fame. 1t would indeed
be no favor bile prognoslic of The perpetuily
OF our republican institutions to discover an
insensibilily to the obligations we owe The
memory OF the illuslrioLs patrons Of Az ericar
freedom. They have raised us, ty tb rir
tnagnanlmity, from the arbitrary dominion of
a foreign power, to the distinguished elevation
of sovereign and independent people they
have asserted and maintained the impresclip-
tiole rights of humanity by the mutual
pledge OF their pledge OF their lives, theirfor.
tunes and their sacred honorS y and as long
as virtue holds her empire in the hearts OF
their successors, the example of these gene.
rous benefactors will not be lost TO the world.
their names will hot pass away nor be forgot.
ten, or their glorious deeds be COMPOUNDED in
he common and casual transaction of life -
lngralitude is vice that in nations, as vel
as individuals, indicates the last degree Of
degeneracy and corruption il is vice that
implies the absence Of every virtue il was
in the age of CaIigula that the name OF the
Scipios was prescribed, that the state Of
Brutus brought death on lis possessor.
" The glory of our ancestors is the light Of
posterily," and the Tonnage of the living can.
not be offered to the merits of the austroB
dead with all effectual or sterile admiration.
Great and splendid actions will seldom be
achieved by men who have hum Die or ord
nary objects in prospect. 1t is By conlempls.
ting the life and character OF those who ale
marked out from the multitude by their emf.
nent qualities, that we become enulous g!
theirvirtues and their renoWn. The trophies
of Aliltiades interrupted the sleeps Of Themis.
tocles and / heseus, hearing the exploits Of
Hercules, was fired with his spirit, and be-
came the successful rival of bis fame The
rude savage OF the desert listens with rapture
to the deeds of bis ancestors, and hangs a
round his hui the embiems 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 TO the patronage Of our
fellow citizens. with hope, that from the
liberality OF their encouragement, we shall
be able 10 present it to the public worthy oil
their appreciation. We must depend for the
illustration oil many Of the characters OF our
biography, upon The generosity Of their sur
vI.ing relatives and friends, to furnish us with
whatever interesting materials may be in theH
possession; for which, with our grateful &C
acknowledgements, we promise copy OF the
entire Work as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will be publiihed in numbers o.,
half volumes of 200 pages, octave, snd
contained in ten numbers. To the his'
will be pre6xed an appropriate fronts,
piece-and the work will be commenced
with the declaration of independence, wI'3
engraved fac SMILES Of the signatures, ant.
compendiou,detail Of the proceedings
congress, during the passage OF the law
Each OF the lives, unless when ii is I'M
practicable, will be- preceded by Ike.
ness of The person, engraved by the bes'
artists 10 the Unite d States. ;,
II. 1t will be printed on fine paper, mace
expressly for the purpose, and seWeie!
TO subscribers al tao dollars and Efty ceh'
pernumber, payable on delivery
IN Cubs iypd sf fins OIlCSs