Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-07-06
PROSPECTUS
ora Ne;o Journal, to be Published at the .Cify
Of Washington,
~ WAY s. GIDEON. ron THE EDITORS.
ENTITLED
THE AMERICAN MERCURY.


THE establishment of another new Journal at tIie
scat OF the national government, may, perhaps, be
considered by some, as premature and unnecessary
at tis time; while by others, il will be hailed With
pleasure as another source of intelligence, and auo-
Their medium of information from which much homo
1T may be derived. Means for diffusipp l;at,, and
truth and knowledge can never be too extensively
multiplied or too generally promoted. In all free
governments the press is empliatically the paladi-
am OF liberty, and it is only i'll despotisms that its
range Is circmnscr.bcd and its energies DESTROYED.
II Is by a free, unrcstraincd, and easy diffusion of
knowledgc, and especially political knowledge, that
INC liberties OF a nation can be preserved: this is
best effected by means of the press, therefore, can
rot be 100 widely or generally established.
Promises arc so frequently made in undertakings
Of this sort, and soso!ien violated, that we SHALL foY-
Dear to make more on this occasion than we intend
to iuihi. But, this we viii say, without the aprre-
hension of failure that every effort shall be made To
dii'use tue most correct Information; to support the
principles of republicanism IN their purity: to de-
lend the measures 81 government that arc bottomed
on these principles, and that arc calculated to pro-
mote the general good;- and to cndeayor to cherish
a spirit of union and harmony AIMING the coufede-
rated members of our great republic. And willie we
DO this, we shall net be inat.cntive to the claims OF
American literature and science, hitherto too much
neglected., but will, ut Ill favorable opportunities,
labor to contribute 10 their advancemnnt and to,
promote their success. ,Tiirough the medium of lit
erary and critical essays, inserted from time 10,
tihies we Sidi enueayOr. moreover, to beeet and fls-.
ter, rs Tar as we are able, a taste for letters audS,-
love of science. that will add 10 the cniornent; az.
well as the happiness of all WHO feel their Influence.
Established, as this journal will be, at the seat of
government, it win be in the power of the editors TO
put theti patrons III possession of whatever of inte-
rest may transpire, either in the cabinet or TIC conn
ellis OF the nation, and so Communicate the inforsla.
ton as it comes, Immediately from its source. Tho
proceedings OF Congress, and sketches of the de.
bates, with the most important Official commupica.A
tons, shall also, be regularly given, and in short, no
effort shall be omitted OH the part of the edi.ors ~,
render the Journal as interesting and useful as me-
sible.
AS we purpose to DC, on all occasions, perfectly
candid, we think it but proper to state, at this time.
that, as 1t respects the different candidates. for tho.
residential Chair, our choice is decidedly in favor
oil CLAY, whose talents and genius VIC
respect, and whose claims to the high Office to whicl,
so many arc aspiring, wc shall eideayor 70 support;
Dut, az the same tine. with that temperance and
c~ourtrsywhich we think due TO the character not
0uly OF HENRY CLAY, but TO that Of his rivals, and
which, we arc. sure, will be more agreeable to all,
than the rude ribaldry aud low S:urriIiiy in which,
some have INDUCED in pushing forward tie claims
Of their favorite candidate. The principles to wili2h.
Nr. CLAY I.as adhered, IN the wl1ole of his political
career, are precisely those we siall maintain. We
are advocatesfor whatever will conduee to the pros
'pcTi;y ard welfare of the nation; and the leading
traits Of AR. CLAY's political lie have been. hose of
deep attachment to his co,mtrys and to whatever
would promote its interests, and a strong desire to
adyauee the cause OF ~irecdon, and TO protect and
support tic uhaiieDable rights ofipau.
OF the course We shall pursue, therefore, and Tie
prinGiples VIC shall advocate, we think we have said
enough, and, with This b iefe&posc efour intentions,
in the establishment Of ibis journal. We throw our
selves upon the public, lis lie expoctation Of obtain-
ing a portion OF their patronage.
TERMS.
The .American Msrc'@y win sc published on an
imperial paper, three times a week, on ;he mornings
of Iiacsia@ JdHrsfry, and Saturday, during TIC ge-
ess OF Congress, ut six dollars per anputn, payable
n. " yearly; and every day during the session, at
an xtra charge of three dollars for each session.
Tbe' publication will probably be comns need
p5rlvi NAuggs, nest, by which time, persons folding
j5n papers, are requested to retuT II them.
An O., viaa4saticns addressed 10 thS editors :
,o post .,.!dl.
u EQtors Of Newspapers, IN United State
ire re nro-tsd so give the above y few iucy ions. M
eCt VIII nc checif9iiy feciPFooatad,
v ,SGnston, Jane 81