Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1823-07-29
coI. PIcKERING's OBSERVATIONS.

Col. PICKERING . OboERF "A lONS.
The following are the observations
which were made by the honorable III.
mO.hy Pickering, PREDATORY to reading
the declaration of Independence, on the
4th inst. at the cele bration in Salem,
Mass)
II has been so common practice a.
mons nations 10 indul sc in anniversary
festivities to celebrate great national
events, that it must be viewed as ma.
,srallmpu!se oil the human heart. By
divine authority she teaYts Of the Pass.
over was instituted, to be observed an
nuaily by the IsIaelitss, in commence
ration OF the protection of their frst-
borp, in the dreadful night when all
the first born of their Egyptian oppres-
,Ors were slain, and when their deliver.
anes from Egyptian bondage commen-
ced. This was q religious festival at
which the recollection OF the Divine In.
,erposition would call forth the feel.
ings aud the expression of gratitude and
praise to their Great deliUersr. There
j, in like manner, an evident propriety
in uniting the solemnities of religion
with the festivities of the present ami.
ysr.sry. Rejecting minds have ac-
knowledged, in many occurrences in
our revolutionary struggle, and in its
happy result, the favor of that Divine
Providence, on whose protection the
special actors in the Declaration of In.
dependence expressly placed their firm
reliance.
Having been unexpectedly requested
10 read to my fsllow-ci,izens who
should assemble here this day thatgreat
act of the people of the Thirteen Uni.
tad Colonies BY which their Represen.
ta,ives IN Congress declared them to be
free aud independent states: l assented
10 the request. on the ground of its pre-
penting convenient opportunity to give
a concise history Of that transaction,
with a few remarks on the character of
the declaration itself, and on the spirit
and temper which should ever accom-
pauy It's public repetition.
Our ancestors, who migrated from
England. and here commenced their
statements ON "bare creation" left not
their best inheritance behind: they
brought with them the rights Of En-
VIishmen, and the knowledge to under
land them. In the maintenance and
EMO, msnt Of those rights.they flourish
ed increased and multiplied. until as
col Onist., becoming agreat people, they
,xclted the jealousy and cupidity oftha
parent state, whose government observ.
ed their rapid growth, yet wished to
keep them. Tor an indefinite period
and in degraded condition, as dspen-
aencles OF her empire. For this pur-
pose it was attempted to subject them
10 law, especially those imposing taxes,
enacted by her authority, without the
consent Of the colonists, whom, by one
sweeping declaration. that government
o.,imsd right bind, by laws of its
acting. 10 all cases whatsoever. In
this enormous claim, it was impossible
iar frsemen, enlightened as were the
eOlonists, quietly to scquiesce. In va
lious ways the execution Of the acts OF
parliament for raising revenue in the
colonies was resisted. The people of
thirteen colonies exhibited their claims,
founded on their birth rights, for ex-
smption from such taxation. and the
laws enacted to enforce it. They petit
toned and demonstrated: they repeat
ed these pesceable modes of obtaining
redress, while any hope of redress re-
manned. But ali these modes Of apPli-
cation aud the collateral means adopt
cd to render them effectual. though
wise and salutary IN their influence on
the minds of the colonists, made little
OF no impression on the government
which oppressed them.
Driven at length to the necessity OF
taking up srms In defence of their VIC.
lated rights-yet scsntily furnished
with the weapons and munitions OF war
without revenues--and destitute OF
native citizens instructed in military
scieuce or prsctsed in the art of war
the leaders in the conflict Immediately
resorted to the means of obtaining es.
seutiaI supplies, wherever there was a
prospect OF procuring them. They al
50 early perceived the prudence, it not
the absolute necessity of seeking for.
sign assistance in support of the great
entsrpriss IN which thew we're engaged
But such assistance was not to be ex-
pec'sd so long as we remained in CO.
louial state. No foreigo nation would
BY furnishing important aids, hazard
war with Great Britain, but with The
view, and in the we'll founded hope Of
ESSENTIALLY diminishing her power. by
SEPARATING from her so large portion