Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-08-08
Communicated.

A Meeting OF the Citizens Of Prince William,
was held at the Court House of the County, on
the Sd day of July, 1896, to consider the pro-
priety of adopting measures TO procure contri-
buttons for the relief of Mr.. JEFFERsoNaand
the Hon. w. A. G. DADE being called to the
Chair, and P. d. DAVE appointed Secretary,
the following Preamble and Resolutions were
offered by John Macrae, Esq, and unanimously
adopted:
The people Of Prince William being appris-
ed of the pecuniary embarrassment OF THOMAS
JEFFERSON, and Of the efforts which are making
By his countrymen to raise fund for his relief,
avail themselves Of the occasion TO express
their high and grateful sense of his public SER
vices, their sympathy in his present difficulty,
and their concurrence in the general sentiment
of United America, that it would be unworthy
Of her 10 permit debt which is properly his
country's, and not MS own, TO snatch from one
of the most illustrious # the founders Of her
independence, and Of her Republics, his pat l.
nal inheritance, aud philosophical retreat, en-
deared to his fellow citizens as well as to him
by the most interesting associations, and 20 de-
prive him of those comforts which neces-
sary 10 impart peace and serenity 10 the twi-
light OF his age. Policy and justice alike for
bid that public benefactor should be deemed
less entitled 10 naturalization or reward than
a Monarch's minion, or private mans patron,
apd that he who by patriotic daring, or studi-
Gus skill has saved millions for his country
from the extcruon of illegitimate power, should
be suffered, in consequence OF his services or
even Of his misfortunes, to want an Obolus.
The citizens of this county have witnessed
with sincere satisfaction, the recognition OF
this sentiment by the people oil the United
States, and the manner IN which they have
chosen to express it; thus demonstrating the
gratitude, not ola government, Blu: OF nation,
and wipng off the last stigma Of Republics; IN
rewarding past, supplying incentives to future
heroic devotion, and patriotic sacrifices; sub
stituling for pernicious and degrading PEN
sionary dependence, retribution. which does
honor to the receiver as well as TO the giNer;
and uniting in the high award, the intelligence,
impartiality, and justice of historical Judgment
with the general sympathy of contemporary re-
gard Hcnceforward, let the charge Of ingra-
titude for public services apply only to tyrants,
who exercise power as right, and not as
trust-who live for themselves, and not for
their country; and may the story OF Beliss-
RUS aud ola Columbus, be found only IN the
annals of despotism.
Therefore, Rssolvsd, That, in the opinion OF
this meeting, the debt of Thomas Jefferson
ought 10 be considered and adopted as the debt
Of his country; and that Messrs. John Hooe,
John Gibson, John w. Tyler, Charles Hunton,
P. D. Dave, John Macrae, Robert Hamilton,
Henry A. Barron, Michael Cleary, Willoughby
w. Teb5s, John w. Williems, John Hulchin-
son. Moses Cockrpll. Remon Foster, Charles ). |
Carter, WIN A. G.. Dade and George w. Mac
rae, be Committee TO receive, and apply TO-
wards the discharge of that debt, in the manner
by them deemed BEST such contributions, not
exceeding FIVE dollars for each individual, as
may be offered by the people OF this county.
RssOIved, That the said Committee do make
report Of their proceedings in the premises, at
this place, on the first day Of the next August
Court of this County.
Resolved, That copy of the foregoing pre-
ambIe and resolutions be published in some
or newspapers of this state, and OF
he District of Columbia.