Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-02-28

to who shall be spokesnnan.-.who take the
lion by the beard ill al length lieutenant
colonel Heath observed, I'll go my lads,
fear no MANI Never was there dignity
conferred about which there was so little r.
valship so on they went, HEATH at their
head. When arrived at the generals quar-
tiers. they find him alone, and buried in tho't,
no doubt revolving in his mind the desperate
fortunes of his country. lie lslens win
calmness TO the affecting relation OF their ma
nifold evils and distress, and then observes,
no doubt. all you have said, and much more
that you might say, is strictly true uod grant
that could alleviate the slightest OF your
Inisfortunes but, gentlemen, is TINS time
to talk of resignlng your commissions, now
that your poor country, bleeding at every
pore, so much needs your services, and turn
ing toward the spokesman, and you, my gal
| liant Heath, At this Interesting moment
tear started into the veterans eye! Heath
| The undaunted Heath, the man who 10 march
| ing through the northern wilderness, each
morn would rise from his snowy bed, and a.
| lert and gay, cry, on, on, comrades, this IS
the road to Quebec Heath, the intrepid
| Heath, who, as he gnawed his mocasons tor
subsistence, cried, never mind boys. there is
plenty of provisions in Quebec; Heath, the
daring Heath, as by the side OF Morgan he
climbed the icy ramparts oil the lower town,
| rushed through the embrasure, shouting VIC
tory or death; this heroic, this une2amped
man, tet the sublime preseuce OF tear
Hastily bundling up his papers he leaves the
tent, and returning to his expecting comrades,
observes, Gentlemen, carry your own com
missions | go no more. | thought that |
was man. and pretty good one tool
thought after the hardships which have SUIT
fered, that could bear anything, and so i
can aye, every thing, but a tear 10 my ge-
neral's eye. Hear my resolve; am pre-
pared to encounter toll and misfortune, ia
mine and the sword but will never desert
the cause Of my country and the Comman-
der in-chief. Such Virginia was thy noble
son
The war continued with various success
till its contamination, by the glorious events
of York Town. But altho' the sword was
now sheathed, much still remained to be
done. The dilipidated state OF our imam.
ces, made il impossible TO discharge, and
recompense the soldiery, for their merito-
rious services and suferings. lncendiary
publications were put forth, exciting!the ar
my to take redress into its own hands-oh
blacker than his ink, must have been The
heart OF that man, who could urge veteran
sodiery, to turn their bayonets against tneIr
cou try's bosom What had been his SER
vices, where were his wounds, that he should
doubt his country's justice. Washington,
the ever watchful guardian repairs TO the
breach the A ak lebanon OF liber'y-he raj
ses the sevenfold shield ofhis influence; Y IN
its mighty shade, protects the destlnies OF an
l. bro
arms Fellow Soldiers pause and hear !.
oh will you unmindiul OF your noble tame,
stain your laures, with your country's blood.
She is poor, but will in due time, acknow-
ledge and amply reconpense your manifold
services and sufferags. Lay down your
arms, and retire even to your cherries
homes. Trust TO her justice, believe m her
gratitude, and shew 10 the world, that the
soldiers of freedom, will never act unworthy
of her sacred cause. They listen to the
Pa;rlarch's counsel, they listen and obey
and where is he whose bane'ul pen, would
seek to destroy work reared by the tolls
OF heroes, and GENE nted by the blood OF
martyrs. Does he remain for the finger of
scorn to point at. He remains, but, Oh! de-
generate age, TO be raised to posts OF high
dignity and power, and that too, in the very
TepuUliCs WHUSe Fitdl iHtticotS> bio doooooih
band would have stabbed! May we not ex-
claim with tine poet,
Can such things be, and overcome US like
a summer cloud,
Without our special fear and wonder"
Turning from this hateful subject, an au
gust scene opens to our view. The general
of the armies OF liberty prepares to resign
his sword. The congress of the United
States determine TO receive it with all the So
IDENTITIES behtting so interesting an event.
The conscrpt fathers of the nation are as
sembled; the Halls of the government are
crowded TO excess. A pause ensues, when
the doors are thrown open, and the patriot
heroe comes not in the idle parade OF va
nifty, but in the native grandeur the magnltl-
cence of his superior self. He comes, not
like Pompey to demand three triumphs: he
comes, not to settle tor the amount OF DIS
unpriced services. He comes 10 resign the
power which he had SO Doby used tor his
coun,ry's welfare The assembly admire.
Taey behold the man who but few short
wears before encompassed by dangers, with
misery pressing on his rear, misfcr une stalk
ing in his front, still struggled for liberty land
never despaired of the republic. They
behold the man, whom congress in the full
ness of their confidence, vested with dictate
ria powers dignity rarely gil en- by Rome,
and only to the choicest of her citizens, and
in times Of greatest extremity 10 the state.
He approa ches the tribunal. bows his lau 4
relied head before the authorities OF the ma
lion, and ,esgning all the empioyinents OF
Duhhc life retires TO the walks Of domestic