Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-01-30
By PAUL ALLEN, ESQ.
TO TIE, PUBIC

4 seems a little surprising that amongst
Z so many subjects rs have been present
ed for American Biography. the lives Of
those who have AFFIXED their signatures to
the Declaration of independence have been
overlooked or disrcgarded. The eyes O,
thousands have dwell with rapture upon the
document that announced to the world that
these United Colonies were, and of right
ought 10 be, free, sovereign, md indepen-
dent states;" while we are better acaullnt-
ed with the handwriting than with the cha
racters of many OF those ilustrious men
who have added their s'snaiures to that in
sfrument. The founders of the only re-
naming republic ON the g'obe, have, with
a few splendid exceptions, gone to their
graves, and il behoves generous posterity,
sensible of their obligations, to preserve
their fame. The longer we neglect the
payment of so sacred debt, the more diff
cult does the payment become. Traits Of
individual character are tug. Tive and eva
nescent; and ii trey are not snatched by
the hand of the Geographic Muse, at an ear
ly season, from the coldgrasp of death, will
soon partake of the Oblivion of the body
1t is not the object OF the present attempt,
10 deal in that profusion Of indiscrimnate
and unsparing panegyric, so often and so
falsely digni6ei with the name OF Biogra-
ply: we wish to represent the characters
as they l're; they stand in need Of no pa
negyric and we earnestly solicit from the
surviving relations and friends of those re-
evolutionary patriots all the information that
will tend to Development OF character.
Man is the creature of circumstance, and
we wish TO show the progress of those pa
triots from their first resistance OF colonial
aggression, until they stood forth the noble
and undaunted champions of their Country's
independence. All this can only be done
by familiar acquaintance with the lives of
these men, and whoever of the surviving
friends or relatives will furnish facts and
circumstances il their possession TO unfold
and illustrate their characters, shall be en-
titled to copy Of the work as a recon-
pense. 1t is contemplated, wherever il is
practicable, further to enlbellish the medi-
tated work with correct Licensees of the
subjects of our biography, executed by the
most eminent artists in the county. For
this purpose we again solicit the assistance
of their surviving relatives and friends. Ii
they will transmit TO the publisher any en-
craving or portrait from which copy may
be taken, the original shall be faithfully re-
turned, and shall likewise be remunerated
with copy Of the work. In the first num-
Der it is proposed to give an account of the
Declaration of Independence, from the first
motion that was made OH the floor of con-
gress until its final passage into law, a pc
Rod embracing much curious and secret
history finally, we promise to add to our
last number the Declaration of fndepen-
dence itself, with fac-simile engravings OF
the signatures. We have now cOmpeDdi-
ously stated the objects of our present un-
dertaking, and we hope that it will be IN
necessary 10 mention that no exertions OF
our part shall be spared.
The public are now in possession Of our
project, which does indeed seem to be de-
manded, by the avidity so recently display
ed for the possession Of the Declaration OF
independence, since it is of very little i'm
port to become acquainted with a mans
hand writing without previous knowledge
Of the man The secret history OF our De-
claration of independence, the lives ofhose
who have affixed their signatures to tbatn-
strumenl, accompanied by their ikenesses,
and finally the Declaration itself with fac
smiles of the signatures, will bring into one
compact view the prominent facts Of that
interesting crisis.
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will be published in num-
bers, or half volumes, of $50 pages octave,
and will be contained in ten numbers.
II. twill be printed on fine paper made
expressly for the purpose, and delivered to
subscribers at two dollars and fifty cents per
half volume or number, payable on deliV-
cry.
NrSubscriptons will be received attic
Office OF the Alexandra Gazette.
December %