The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1823-07-09

" Viz PiSSSu'S anu hdS Sui passeu INC Ca
pectation, of the philosophers and states
men of ancient times.
Gentlemen Of The Periciean Society
Your kindness has deputed me 10 task
which Is beyond my ability to execute.
To render justice to this immortal state
paper-the sacred charter of our rights
and to the memory of those august pat>
riots who signed it, is utterly beyond
my power. Weak is that tongue, and
feeble that pen which attempts TO des.
cfibe the mighty spirit which is embodied
IN this Declaration of Independence
Had 1 the muses. art, or the eloquence of
Cicero or Domosthenes, | would still be
inadequate, to discharge, in proper
manner, the work you have assigned
me. 1t fail in the endeayour, you
must attribute il to the common weak.
ness of man, to undertake labours entire,
y above his reach. IshaIl venture, and
though success may not follow, l shall
be consoled by the reflection, that my
heaftis animated by the brilliant recol-
ieetIons, which this day presents to you,
and that the liberties OF this people have
ucen'ConscCrated by IT.
now invoke the attention of my res.
pected audience TO this Declafa,ioD,
couched in the sublime language Of he.
roick daring, and chivalrous patriotism.
It's calculated to FILL with emotions OF
the liveliest gratitude, the bosoms of all,
who admire the noble deeds Of our illus-
trious ancestors. 1t will, and it ought,
to inspire with msgpanimous feelings, all
who justly esteem virtue and iDdepen.
dehce, freedom from tyranny, and the
sway and empire of liberty and laws"
The proceedings at Mount Vernon on
the Fourth of July, in our next.
There was no mail received at the post
Office last evening north of Baltimore.
Errofa in Mr.. SSv0nn'S sfeeck.
In the 9Th column for "will now bend
her knee" sSc' read twill not now bend
her knee" sc.
In the 9th column for "triumphant,"
read "triumphal," for "Pyrenaus," read
ePyrenaus's." None typographical
AT Washington the Fourth ofJuly was
celebrated with less parade and show than
have sometimes marked il. Statutes were
fred, as usual, from the navy yard. An
grafton was delivered at the capitol by
col. Ii. Ashton,and the Declaration of In.
dependence read by r. Fl Lee, esq. An
grafton was delivered, in the early part
Of the day at the City Hall by MIR VIM.
Scott, one of the members of the Debat.
ing Society. Firing Of rockets,&c. con-
c'uded the day.
A quantity of gunpowder in a wagon
exploded in this town on the Goth inst. by
means of which two men were so badly
burnt as to die within twenty -four hours,
and another man and boy so much iniu-
red that theiriives are despsired OF. The
attending the acciden, we
understand to be as follows THE wag.
On contained twenty five kegs of powder
of 25 lbs. each, covered with straw for
more convenient transportasio a small |
luantity'not exceeding Q ounces had es.
;aped from the casks, and was carefully |
'wep'from the floor Of the wagon upon
he ground Whilst the owner of the
powder was in treaty with neighborng |
tore>keeper forthe sale Of the article an
inlucky boy conceived that it would be |
inc sport to fire the powder which was
scattered upoD the ground, and without |
urther reflection, procured coal OF fire |
md communicated it to the powder. The |
immediate consequence was, that the |
traw In the wagon which eDveIoped the
teg was in an instant blaze The horses
'f course took fright, and set off without
my certain direction. A more horrible
pectscle cannot we'll be conceived in the |
hickest part of populous town 4; wag.
IN containing this large quantity Of pow
Ter enVeloped in FIRE and aboIt to be ex.
'loded, no one could tell where. /
The first attempt Of the horses was to
each the stable whence they had issued,
md which was in sight; being driven
rom this course, they sought refuge in a !
corner, which was made by two stories,
md bad the explosion happened here,
10th would probable have been shattered |
o pieces but Mr.. Hall, OF STAFFORD |
n his Anxiety to preserve his own horse, |
hen in the immediate vicinity, drove the |
'orses OF the burning wagon into an open !
space few rods distant, and before he |
;ould escape the powder exploded -
Meantime, two men and boy, working
n batter's shop near, saw the wagon in |
lanes, and without knowing its contents,
\ nd Al.