Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-07-21
TIE JUBTLEE.
Communicated for the Enquirer.l
Ceieptation Of the 4th Of July 1926, at VA

Harrisburg and its vicinity assembled at the Church
"A band OF music played our national air, Hail Co
iumoia- Judge Semple. who had been requested L
read the Declaration OF Independence, before h
discharged that duty, noticed some OF the most i'm
portant circumstances, connected with that Deca-
ration, and pointed out the leading and prominen
part which Virginia acted in bringing about tina
event, aud IN establishing Our liberties on firm an,
lasting foundations. He took short and rapid view
OF the arbitrary measures OF the British King
commencing at very early period after the frs
settlement OF Virginia. He noticed the great ex-
Tent oil territory, and the important rights conferred
on inc coionsis by the first grant 10 the London
company, and the suspension of their powers by
the arbitrary edict of Royalty who assumed 10
itself The government OF the Colony. He insisted!
that these acts were the inception of that policy
winch persisted in, brought about the separation of
the colonies from The parent state. He traced the pro-
gress othe contest between the Crown s. the Parla-
ment on one side for absolute dominion and of the
colonies on the other hand for the defence of their
rights and liberties till the 9th of July '15 when
many OF the colonies had armed in their defence
ana Congress deemed IL necessary to publish TO the
!" GRID the earnest reasons for taking up arms in
their delence and TO declare that the arms which
~ their enemies they had been compelled TO as
sumo, they would in defiance of every hazard with
uhaoated hrmness and persev erance employ for the
preservation OF their liberties, being with one mnd
resolved 10 die ireemen rather than to live slaves
lie showed that o. Britain had appealed 10 arms, and
that the appeal had been met BY most OF the colonies
Win manly srmneSs. That in this state of things
on the 18th Of July I775, convention of dele
gates for Virginia which was held in Richmond,
provided Tor the election of another convention to
be held on the 9th OF May 20 at WILLIAMSBURG to
which iIil powers were given do whatever the
public good might require That on the 18th OF
May 20 that convention recommended it 10 Con-
SfeS- TO declare the colonies free aud independent
sta'es-and at the same time appointed a commit
tee TO prepare Declaration of Rights, and a Con-
sti'u'ion and crm OF Government for Virginia He
read these resolutions and the preamble thereto,
and called The attention of his hearers particularly
10 the time oil their adoption. He stated that Geo
Mason prepaie ed the Declaration of Rights and the
constitution, and that preamble written by the
author OF The Declaration of Independence was
PTehxed 10 IT. The first of these he stated was
adopted unanimously by the convention on the
l2ih and The second also unanimously on the 29th
OF June l776. He insisted that Virginia had there
by totally dissolved all connection with the British
rowD, and had become free and independent
state, and had taken her station among the nations
OF The Faith, as early at least The 10Th if not
on the 10Th of June I776. These he cont.uded
were the first instruments of the kind whose exs-
tence was recorded IN history, or ever known 10
the World; and that as they were the first. so he
improve upon them, they were the best of all ,he
Republican Institutions (for which they had served
as models) IN America, and had been productive of
The most important consequences TO advancing the
esuse OF liberty and humanity over the Earth. He
PAID just tribute TO the memory OF Geo. Mason
the great statesman, and the devoted patriot: He
reminded his hearers OF the debt fgratude so Justly
due 10 Tie sases who formed that INVENTION He
proceeded TO shew that they elected Governor and
{ md mt be ;,,t, r..tt
and having thus completed the objects of their an
poinilnent, the 9Th of July I176 adjourned sin
die. He hen read the Declaration of Rights and
The Preamble 10 the Constitution, and recomm ended
them as instTuu ents with which we should he A.
familiar with the Alphabet. He'insis,ed that if
Virginia the first TO recommend 10
Congress a Declaration OF Independence, bat that
North Carolina the first to do So ON which
subject he protested not TO be sufficiently in
formed 10 offer opinion, she had made the re-
commentator at very early period, the 10Th of
May 1916, and bad actually declared herself iree
and independent in June 10 before the Declare
tion OF Independence by Congress and bad taken
her station among the nations of the Earth; about
six months before North Carolina had declared the
connection between her and Great Britain dissol-
we'd, ana established, for herself, Constitution or
form OF Government.
lie hen read the Declaration of Independence.
that scarcely syllable escaped one of a large su-
dience. SO elevated MS feelings of patriotism
and gratitude, that you might hardly perceive in his
tone or manner any traces of an indispostion from
which he had suffered considerably for several
previous to that time.
The Rev. A. Foster then called upon the as
sembly to join in prayer of thank. giving TO the
Almighty Tor the blessings Of civil and religious
liberty, which be had so bonntifully bestowed up-
On us thru, insfrrtnpntatit., of ,I,o .
Hsoes OF the Revolution. After which follow ed
sacred music from the band. Beverly Il. Browne.
Esq then delivered a chaste and animated ora
lion, happily suited 10 the occasion, which was re-
cciv ed by The cheering plaudits OF the COMPANY
TIE ceremony closed win patriotic air from the
Baad, composed OF gentlemen of the city, who had
associated ios the purpose, and to whose civility
we were much indebted. During this period, our
old city resounded With The reveThera.ions OF can
ncn fred every fifteen minutes. At half past two
clock, ibe company repaired to Lieutenant Kan
dolph's Lot, where an extensive arbour and an
excellent dinner had been prepared for their accom-
| mediation. Unfortunately, several showers Ofrain
compelled removal into The house, which pro
duced some delay and arrangement Of things. at
| length lhe company sat down 10 the table, ovci
which Col. Bassett presided, assisted BY Vice Pres
idebts Rebt. MeCsndish, Judge Senple and Pro.
fessor Campbell; MIR Ro. Saunders if. had been ar.
| pointed President but his state Of health was 50
delicate and the weather so unfayorsbe, that not
withstsnding bis warm and earnest desire TO ION
in the celebration of the Jubilee Of Liberty, h
was unable TO attend.
The cloth having been removed, the fol.owin;
toasts were drank
The day we celebrate Dear 10 every tru
American heart, and glorious in the annals Of gu
history.
4 ? Our ustrious Washington His memor
is hsllowed by the love and blessings OF grsteft