Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1823-07-29
Jefferson's doing it, and the latter yield


The draught being made, the sub
onu.itlce met, ''and conned the paper
over. 1 Was delighted tcontinu.s Me.
| Ad,lns) with its high tone, and the
| flights of oratory with whichit sbound-
| ed, especially that concerning Negro
Slavery, which, though. | knew his
| Southern brethren would never suffer
to pass in Congress, l certainly neves
| would oppose. There were other OK.
pressions which would not have in-
serted if had d, avn it up; particular
ly that which called the King a TyraDs.
l thought it too personal. for l never
believed George to be a Tyrant in dis.
position and in nature, always believ-
ed him to be deceived by his courtiers
on both sidas the Atlantic, and in his
official capacity only cruel. ! thought
the expression too passionate, and too
much like scolding torso grave and So
leuln document but as Franklin and
Sherman were TO inspect 1t afterwards
| thought it would not become nre to
strike it out.
| consented to report it, and do moi now
remember that | made or suggested sin
gle alteration We reported it TO the
committee of FIVE. Ii was read, and DO
no remember that Franklin OF Sherman
criticised any thing. We were all in haste;
Congress was impatient; and the inslru
ment was reported, as belleve, IN Jetfer-
sons handwriting, as be first drew it
Congress cut of about quarter part OF it,
as expected they would; but they oblite-
rated some of the best of it, and lett all
that was exceptionabIe, il any thing IN il
was" Then referring TO a remark Of
mine on the declaration, that ii did not
contain many new IDEAS" Mr.. Adams
says: las you justly observe, there is not
an idea i'll ii, but what had been hackney
ed IN Congress tor two years before The
substance of II is contained IN the declara-
ton OF rights, and the violation Of those
rights 10 The journals Of Congress in TIA.
Indeed the essence OF il is contained in
pamphlet voted and printed by the town
OF Boston before the FIRST congress mel
composed by James OH, as suppose, in
one Of bis lucid intervals. and pruned and
polished by Samuel Adams"
Thus it appears that this celebrated pa.
per was as in its nature it must IN sub.
stance have beenj compilation OF facts
and sentiments stated and expressed ID
some preceding years, by those who wrote
and vindicated The rights OF the colonies.
A compilation, however, may have great
merits 5y its lucid and torcible arrange
ment OF The matter. But great national
act particularly demanded precision, which
should exclude every minor idea and CON.
parativeIy feeble expression Whether
this, amoDg other considerations in Con-
gress, caused reduction Of the reported
draught 10 three-iourths OF its original
size, cannot now be known. In my hum
BILE opinion, (havlng had an opportunity Of
examining and Comparing) by the parts
expunged, and by the few passages intro,
dueed. aud otners aIlered IN Congress, the
instrument was manifestly improved. The
declaration, in the form in which it was Fl
naIly adopted and proclaimed, has ever
been received; not only as most impor.
lant, but dignlhed, State Paper,
These details, my fellow citizens, bsv-
ing occupied SO much more time than
had contemplated, | have room 10 offer
but very few additional remarks on the
character OF the Declaration OF lndepea
dence, and on the use 10 be made OF ITS
public repetition.
The high tone" of the Declaration,
then so pleasing to MIR. Adams, was IN u
nison with the warm feelings OF the time,
when ardent patriots were engaged in re-
sisnng oppression. The inspiring Ian
guage of LIBERTY is congepial TO the heart
of man. But on that great occasion, PUB.
Lie POLICY doubtless united with strong
sense of real injuries, IN describing these
in The most isrcibe and glowing style oil
excitement, to animate the citizens to
Jealous and invincble perseverance in the
cause The effect was such as was desi-
red and expected. I be declaration OF In
dependence was received in all The states
with demonstrations of joy and all good
citizens considered themselves bound by
the solem pledge which their representa-"
tives in Congtess had mutually given to
maintain it.
Having succeeded in the great and ar.
duons enterprise, every heart bounded
with joy at the annunciation OF peace, al
ter suffering the privations and calam'lies
OF eight years OF war. In the dehnllWe
treaty OF peace with Great Britain, the
contending parties acknowledge the band
of Divine Providence in disposing the
hearts OF both ito forget all pa't misun-
derstandines and differences, that have I'M
happily interrupted the good currespon'
dehce and friendship which they mutually
wish to restore; and to establish such a
beneficial and satisfactory intercourse be.
tween the two countries, upon the ground
Of reciprocal advantages and mutual con-
venience, as may promote snd secure to
both perpetual peace aud harmony" The
solemn profession here reeited regards our
best interests as we'll as our moral obligs.
tons and is in exact correspondence with
TIE fine sentiment happily expressed by
Jefferson in the Declaration OF indepen-
dence, concerning our then British Bre'h'