Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-07-28

luton and authorising "the deputies of said CO.
lony, or any three or more Of them TO concur
with the other United Colonies or majority
of them in declaring the United Colonies free
and independent, Sc" was read in Congress
on the second Of july the committee OF the
whole reported the resolution Of Independence,
and Oh the fourth the declaration was adopted.
After the declaration are the following words
in the Journal-"The foregoing declaration
was by order of Congress engrossed and signed
bv the following members, Sc" The names
OF Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone
and Charles Carroll of Carrollton, appeared
among those which are signed. 1t will be no.
ticed that ''three or more Of the deputies" of
MARYLAND only. were authorized to concur, &C.
Had two of the commissioners, Chase and
Carroll, been absent, the remaining two could
not have assented and Of course could not have
affixed their names on the 4th. The conclusion
is that both Carroll and Chase were present,
one Of them mus, have been, and as the Canada
Mission alone is stated TO have detained them,
as we have shewn that they returned from that
mission on the lth Of June, the inference TO be
drawn from the whole is that both were present.
But il is urged that the declaration was not
Congress, however, and.a as part OF the pro-
ceedings OF that day the signatures OF the mem
bers are stated TO have been afixed-Had this
no, been the case the signing would have been
mentioned in the proceedingsof the day on
which it actually took place. Besides We find
that the names Of the members who really did
no, sign are not upon the list contained in the
Journal of the fourth, as that of Robert r. Lii
,ingston and Thomas MtKean, and some 9th
ers as may be seen by comparing the fac smile
of the declaration with the last.above mentioned.
We hope that this comparison of dates will
forever set the matter at rrst We can readily
account for the Orator in New-York having
made the assertion, in order to render the death
of Adams and Jefferson more striking than it
was, Of such could have been done:) and The as
sertion once made, Of course it had TO be sup
ported We repeat our hopes thai the above
explanation will be satisfactory, and that no
further attempt will be made 10 prove that a
Younger OF Liter wreath adorns the brow Of
MIR. Carroll than those which hang above the
ton,bs of Adams and Jefferson.
THE LAST LETTER OF MR.. ADAMS.
Capt. Whitney, Chairman of the Committee
Heterogeneous for celebrating the late Jubilee
III tue lO"H VI ShiiiS soh lLC 81 Va SuuS ~
dressed letter of invitation to the la:e venera-
Die John Adams, to which he replied IN the
following manner:
Quincy, June z, 1926.
SIR-Your letter Of the Sd inst. written on
behalf Of the committee Of arrangements, for
the approaching celebration Of our National
Independence, inviting me to dine, IN the 9Th
of July next, with the citizens Of Quincy. at the
Town Hall, has been received with the kindest
emotions. The very respectful language with
which the wishes Of my fellowtownsmen have
been conveyed 10 me, by your committee, and
the terms Of affectionate regard towards me,
Individually, demand my grateful thanks, which
you viii please 30 accept and to communicate
10 your colleagues oil the committee.
The present feeble state of my health will not
permit me to indulge the hope oil participating
with more than my best wishes in the Joys and
festivities and the solemn services Of that day,
on which will be completed the .tfiieth year from
its birth, the Independence Of the Unitcd States.
A memorable epoch in the annals OF the human
race, destined, in future history, TO form the
brightest or the blacklist page, according 10 the
use or the abuse of those political institutions
by which they shall, in time to come, be shap-
ed by the humGB mind
pray you sir, TO tender, in my behalf, to our
fellow-citizens, my cordial thanks for their aticc.
tionate good wishes, and TO be assured that am
very truly and affectionately yours and their
friend and fellow-townsman.