The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1824-03-15
MEMORIAL,


Of Rehrss-ntafives offhc United States
ofHmerice in Congress assembled:
The memorial of the subscribers, inha bitauts Of
the town and county Of Alexandria, i'm the
District of Columbia,
RESPECTFULLY REPRE- ENTs
Thatthey have seen a memorial which
has been circulated among the inhabi
tan,s of the town and county Of Alsxan.
dris, praying that the same may be re-
ceded TO tbs commonwe alth of Virgins {:
That they have viewed this measure with
deep concern. as tending to disturb the
peace and harmony Of society, and to
produce that state of doub; and uncer-
'ain'y in the government, of The place,
which cannot fail to reader its inhabitants
disconnected and unhappy.
Nany OF your memofialists were inhsbi
'ants Of the town of Alexandria at the DE
fiod OF the assumption of jurisdiction
over the dislric, OF Columbia by the con.
gress of the Uoited S,atess and thcy
know, that thar event vas hailed as one
most propltious to The happiness and
prosperity OF the place. They well re
member, that at the time when this mes
sure was adopted, no idea was entertain
ed that the people OF the district were
surrendcring any portion Of their liber-
ties. on the contrary, they viewed the
legislature of the Union as their lie pal and
Constitutional representative, who were
bound, at All times, TO attend to the ex.
preston OF their wants, and disposed, as
they believed. to promote their happiness
and prosperity.
These impressions, in those days, and
tor many successive years, were so strong
that the inhabitants resisted, almost unapi.
meusiy, every effor, that was made in
congress to recede 10 Virginia this part
OF the district, and so uniform and deci
ded has this sentiment always been, that
your memorialists had supposed that ihi.
question had been put 10 rest, and tba,
he good people Of the County would be
no longer disturbed by it.
You: memorial ISIS do not behave thu,
congress has the power 10 rece6e this,or
any other part of the district but il they
had, your memorialists would be deci.
dediy opposed to such measure. They
have suffered DO oppression from the
geBerai g"Vernmeni-oD the contrary,
they have lived happily under it. They
have found the legislature of the Union
always, upon proper representation, dis.
posed 10 further their interests. Your
memorIsllsts are duly sensible OF the be-.
nehfs and advantages that have been
granted to them. They see ,bs, they en-.
Joy Judiciary, the best in the union, ana
respected throughout the world that al.
most every valuable institution now ex.
IsfiDg IN the district, has been the gift of
The national legislature aud they see
that these, IS well ss many other benefits !,
emanaiiDg from the same source, are ali
enjoyed by yeur TnemorIalists without
any taxetion or burthen whatsoever.
1t The people Of the district do suffer
any Inconvenience IN not being able IN
sue in the Rderal courts or in not having
the privilege Of appealing to the supreme
court upon . less sum than one thousand
dollars or in not having their record,
respected in the state courts or do sui.
fer any other inconvenience stated in the
memorial now in circulation, these in.
conveBienees may be remedied by an
act OF congress and would, 10 donbt, he
remedies upon proper application to
that body.
Your memoriaIists do, therefore, hope
That the proposition for retrocessjon
VIII meet the fate which it has always
heretofore experienced iu your honora
BILE body and that yeur Dsmorialis,s
may continue in tho enjoyment of those
advantages, which they and their prede
cessors we're so anxious to obtain, and
which ihnzL haNa OF. L. ...:-.--a. -