Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-03-17
By JOHN S.4.NDERSO.N.
TO THE PTTRIJC

TO THE PUBLIC.
When we consider the personal Qualities
OF the statesmen whose names are affixed n
the Declaration of independence. the psT,
lous occasion which demanded the exertior
OF thsr wisdom and deliberation, and tbs
influence OF their councils on the interests NJ
mankind, we must acknowledge that very
rarely more imposing spectacle has been
offered to the world, and we shall seek in
vain in the annals of nations, for an event
more worthy of commemoration. and ofbeing
cherished forever in the hearts of grateful
and generous people. Tue love of indepen.
dence IS interviewer with the frame and con.
stitutlon OF the human mind. II is almost
the hrst sentiment that animates the infants
features in the cradle and amongst all the
actions and enterprises of man, none has
aWaked into activity greater exertion of the
virtuous energies OF his nature, none has ex-
cited greater warmth of generation, and
has more imperious claims upon our graft.
tude, than resistance 10 tyranny and political
aggression.
In all republican states the first tribute Of
genius has been paid to The patriot or the he
70 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 the
grasp of death, and the pen of the historian
has inscribed the achievements TO the impe-
rishabIe records OF fame 1t would indeed
be no favor BILE prognostiC OF the perpetuiy
of our republican institutions TO discover an
insensibility to the obligations We owe the
memory of the ilustrious patrons of American
freedom. They have raised US, by their
foreign power, to the distinguished elevation
of sovereign and independent people they
have asserted and maintained the imprescnp-
-tiole rights of humanity by the mutual
pledge of their pledge OF their lives, their for"
tunes and their sacred honors )" 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 not pass away nor be forgot
ten, or their glorious deeds be COMPOUNDED in
the common and casual transaction of life
Ingratitude is a vice that in nations, as wei
as individuals, indicates the last degree Of
degeneracy and corruption it is vice that
implies the absence of every virtue ; il was
in the age of Caligula that the name OF the
Sepios was prescribed, that the state Of
Brutus brought death on its possessor.
The glory of our ancestors is the light 0!
posterity," and the homage OF the living can
not be offered to the merits OF the ilustrIous
dead with an effectual or sterile admiration
Great and splendid actions will seldom be
achieved by men who have hum Die or ordI'
nary objects in prospect. II Shy coniempia'
tinS The life and character OF those who are
marked out from the multitude by their COL:
nent qualities, that we become emuiouS Q.
their virtues and their renown. he trophies
of Miltiades interrupted the sleeps OF bemIs:
tocles: and Theseus. hearing the exploits o.
Hercules, was fired with his spirit, anc OF 1e'
came the successful rival OF his fame. lux
rude savage OF the desert listens with rapture
TO the deeds of his ancestors, and hangs a.
round his hut the emhlems OF his tathers' Va
lour. ma.
More need not be sa id to enforce the utlllI
of the publication we have undertaken, anu s
which we now submit 10 the patronage OF ou'
fellow. citizens. with hope, that from lDS
Iiberality of their encouragement, we snaI
be able 10 present it to the public worthy o.
their appreciation. We must depend fof lns
illustration OF many of the characters Of ou'
biography, upon The generosity OF then sG.
viying relatives and friends, to furnish US Em
whatever interesting materials may be 10 hsn
possession for which, WITH our gTalelui! a..
acknowledgements, we promise COPY o. 'N'
entire work as compensation.
CONDITIONS.
|. The work will be publiihsd IN DunoefS ~
half volumes of 200 pages, octave S S
contained in ten numbers. 10 me Ii
will be prefxed an appropriate iIo nnsd
piece-and the work will be commenI;a,b
with the declaration of independence, W." 'nd
engraved fac SMILES of the signatures, a. aD n
compendious detail of the pTocee,dl'Ei.. w
congress, during the passage OF me 10; ;D'
Each Of the lives, unless when IL j. ,bs.
practicable, will be preceded by ' To-;
ness of the person, engraved by Inc -
artists in the United States. ado
II. 1t will be printed on fine paper, ned mSdI
expressly for the purpose, al d neaesrt,
to subscribers at tao dollars al I'd W'y' ''''
pernumber, payable on delivery a,e
~ Subscriptions received at lhls onltt'