The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1823-12-15

| 'iHhSS, VINO can oble q us removal, by
| Introducing a better, specially on terms
which shall subject the District TO moi
| greater burthens than it now bears?
Ii is hoped, therefore, that the inhabi.
tanis OF the district will give to this sub.
Ject consideration due to Ks Impotence
and take some united step to bring il
under the serious view of congress.
Oognt not the corporate authorities OF
'br three towns in it, aud the l:vy courts
oil the two counties first move, md fake
The opinion of their constituents on this
important malter,and thereby give weight
and solemniiy TO the measures which may
be deemed necessary
10 refer every proposition II 4 proper
way 10 Tie people, having for It's object
The removal Of evil and the resicralio, of
Iloeriy, seems to be he bounten dutJ of
those thus distinguished over their feIl.w.
citizens
Taking this opinion by ward meetings
IN the towns, and county meetings iuthc
country, seems 10 be the most feasible
mode OF ascer'aining The temperate and
deliberate voice OF the people. The
people can be trusted, if they are III for
freedom (; and the subject is of vast i'm.
port to themselves, and their posteriy 10
The remotest generation. |; is h5ped,
then, that the mayors of the three owns
VIII summon their respective legislative
boards, for The purpose of deciding ON
the proprie,y OF submitting Tins subject TO
the people, and viii adopt the best
mode OF doing SO /: and that The levy
courts VIII so act IS 10 the country and
thus, that the district may be enabled to
Jay grievances, SO deeply affecting its
permanent welfare, liberty and character,
before lis rulers.
The restoration to the district of its
political rights, cannot fail TO increase its
'ollily 10 give more eficacious SUPPORT
o that great work now conlenplaied-so
important To lis particular interests, as
veil as those OF the nation-the Chesa.
'eake and Ohio canal, and 10 derive from
ali the possible advantages which COM
nerce, combined with liberty, can be.
tow. CIVlS.
MEMORIAL.
he undersigned inhabitants Of the Dis.
trIct ct Columbia, beg leave, respect
futiy, TO Call The attention of congress |
tothe present peculiar condition thereof |
J. StstGsi Was fOri!.uG, 1t Uas nor believed !
IS II could not be intended, that either
he general cen. entioD which prepared |
or the conventions of the states whicha. !
iopted u, possessed The power, by an in,
one OF the declared objects OF |
; hich was so secure the blessings Of |
liberty 10 ourselves and our posterity," to |
lisiranchise any portion Of the citisens
hereof. Therefore, that clause which |
,ran!s 10 congress power to exercise ex-
lusivc legislation in ali cases whatsoever !
'ver such district, not excre,!i,E zen |
niles square, as may, by cesaion oil par
ocular states, and the acceptance OF con-
,ress, become 'he seat OF government of |
he United States" or any other clause |
.ouId not have been intended TO confer a |
power 10 destroy that liberty which The |
constitution was framed 20 protect. YET
! construction has been given TO this con- |
'titutoD, by The supreme courl OF the u. |
states, and by the courts Of many, If not |
Ill the states, which places the inhabitants |
,f the district of Columbia, in some of
he most important particulars, in state |
If aiienage and yassalage, as TO the rest
Di the patton; while, for all The purposes OF
revenue and military service, they are
subject though unrepresentcd in congress
or III any state Legislature, TO every tax,
either direct or Indirect, and TO every
other burthen, which that body can i'm.
pose on their constituents. The under.
signed need not call 10 your recollection,
that the imposition Of taxes by the Bu.
fish Parliament, on these states, then Bril-
fish colonies, in which they were not rep
resented, was the cause OF their separa-
ton from the parent country--it being
held by the founders of our republic
that taxation and representation should
ever accompany each other this prlnci-
pie forming the fundamental and only
sure basis Of free government.
That, IL all these respects, the iDhsbi-
lants Of the district of Columbia have
been deprived of some of the most pre-
cious and essential rights appurtenaDt to
freedom, the undersigned need only re.
fer, 1st, 10 the tax laws of the United
States I'd, To the decision Of the So.
preme cour; Of the United States, that an
Dhabnaut Of the district IF Columbia can
not bring suit against a citizen of any
state, IN the circuit court Of the United
States for such s!a;e--wbile citizen of
every state can sue citizen OF the us
trict Of Columbia in the circuit court ol
the United STATES for said district; anu
Sd, TO the refusal by the courts of some,
if not all the States, to allow to the r.