Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-05-29

| Never was reception more cordial, or more de-
mons,rative of respect and affection, than was
| given 10 these beloved personages. But amidst
the display of addresses and OF entertainments
which were produced by the occasion, the great
business of promoting the internal improve
ments then in contemplation, was not iorgotten;
and The ardour of the moment was seized TO
conquer those objections 10 the plan, which yet
fingered in the bosoms of those who could per-
ceive in il no future advantages to compensate
| for the present expense"
Gan exact conformity between the acts of
Virginia and Maryland, being indispensable 10
the improvement Of the Potomac, the friends Of
the measure deemed it advisable to avail them
selves Of the same influence with the latter State,
which had been successfully employed with the
former, and resolution was passed, soon after
the, return of General Washington to Mount
Vernon, requesting him to attend the Leglsla-
ture OF Mar, land, in order to agree ON bill
which might receive The sanction OF both States.
This agreement being happily completed, the
bills were enacted, under which, works capable
oil being rendered the most extensively benei-
cial OF any thing YET attempted in tie United
States, have been nearly &C emphasized.
"Ihese ac:s were succeeded by one, which
conveys the liberia wishes OF the legislature,
with dehcacy scarcely less honorable to LIS
trainers, than TO HIM who was Its object. The
Treasurer had Deen instructed to subscribe in
behalf Of the STATE, for a specified number Of
shares In each company. Just at the close OF
the Session, when no refusal OF their offer could
be communicated TO them, bill was suddenly
brought IN, which received the unanimous as
sent OF both Houses, authorising the Treasurer
to subscribe, for the benefit OF General w ash
ington, the same number Of shares in each COM
pany as were to be taken for the Stale, / o the
enacting clause OF this bill was prehXed pre-
amble, IN which its gratest value consisted -
" i;h simple eleganceii manifested to the world,
that in seizing this occasion, to make a dona.
ZION, which would in some degree testify their
sense Of the merits of their most favored and il
lustrious cilizen, the donors would themselves
be the obliged. However delightful might be
the SENSATIONS produced by this delicate and
hatlering testimony Of the affection OF his tel-
low Citizens, it was not without its embarrass-
ments. From his early resolution 10 receive no
pecuniary compensation for his services, he
could not be persuaded TO depart; and yet this
mark of the gratitude and attachment Of his
country could not easily be re ecled, without fur
nishing occasion for sentiments he was unwli-
ling 10 excite 10 the friend who conveyed to
him the first intelligence OF this bill, his Difficult
ties we're thus expressed:"
at is not easy for me to decide by which
my mind was most affected, upon the receipt Of
your letter oil the 9th instant, surprise or gra-
titude Both were greater than had words TO
express.
"rhe attention and good wishes which the
Assembly has evinced, by their act for vesting
in me one hundred and fifty shares in the navi-
cation Of the rivers Potomac and James, is more
than mere compliment. There is an uneqIl-
vocal and substantial meaning Annexed. But,
believe me, sir, no circumstance has happened
since left the walks of public life, which has
so much embarrassed me. On the one hand,
consider this act, as have already observed as
:. noble and pnequivoca proof of the good OPT
Mon, the affection, and disposition of my coun
try to serve me, and should be hurt, if, by de-
cling the acceptance Of it, my refusal should be
construed into dsrespect, or the smallest slight
upon the generous intention of the Legislature;
or that an ostentatious display OF disinterested
ness, or public virtue, was the source OF refusal
"On the other hand, it is really my wish TO
have my mind, and my actions which are the
result Of reflection, as free and independent as
the air, that may be more at liberty Gin things
which my opportunities and experience have
brought TO the knowledge of to express my
sentiments; and, if necessary to suggest what
may occur 10 me, under thefullest conviction
that, although my judgment may be arraigned,
there will be no suspicion that sinister motives
had the smallest influence in the suggestion
Not content, then, with the bare consciousness
of MY having, in all this navigation business,
acted upon The clearest conviction Of the poll
tical importance of the measure, l would wish
that every individual who may hear that it was
favorite plan of mine, may know, also, that l
had no other motive for promoting 1t than the
advantage of which conceived ii would be pro-
ductive to the Union at large, and to this State
in particular, by cementng the eastern and
western territory together,at the same time that
it will give vigor & increase to our commerce,
and be convenience to our citizens"
On the 22d of December, in the same year,
1884, General Washington presided at Annapo.
lis, al convention of delegates, consisting OF
the most distinguished patriots of the revolu-
ton, from Virginia and Maryland, at which it
was resolved, among other things, "That it is
the opinion of this conference that the removing
the distractions in the Potomac river, and max
hight navigable, will increase the commerce OF
Virginia and MARYLAND, and greatly promote
the interest OF the United States, by forming
free and easy communication and conn,c tion
with the people settled on the western waters,
already considerable in numbers, and rapidly