Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-03-31
From the Baltimore american.

dying request Of Mr.. Somerville must have ex.
cited in the hear; Of the aged patriot those re-
sponsive echoes Of sympathy which attended
every footstep Of his journey from Ole extre-
nifty Of the United States to the other. Mr.
Somervile sleeps the sleep ofdeath in ground
rendered dear to the affections of every Ameri.
can citizen.
Say, in this spot with tears Of freedom wet,
| Destined TO De thy couch, beloved Fayetfe--
| Shall no best spirit from the skies repair
To guard the halowed Patriot slumbering therei-
Yes-Freedom shall that guardian angel be,
And cry, 'this very dust belongs to me-"
TRANSLATED FOR THE AMERICAN
From the Paris Constitutional of Esd Jan. 1926.
The Illumination of the corpse Of the late Mr..
SoMERvILLE, Charge d'Afiaires of the United
States to Sweden, took place last Thursday, 18th
inst at Courpalay, near La Grange, in presence
ofthe Mayor, Of Gen. LAFAYETTE, Of the Con-
sui of the United States, of the population of
the village, and ofmany citizens of Rosay, who,
| Notwithstanding the severity Of the weather,
came to attend at the ceremony.
The authorities of Auxerre having granted
10 Mr.. BARNETT, Consul ofth United States,
the removal of the corpse, it was Professionally
deposited at La Grange, and the place of recep-
ton was decorated with white tapestry Trim
med black, with the flag Of the United States,
(the flag of the Brandywine) under which Mr.
Someryiile had arrived in France.
Before the removal of the mortal remains of
that honorable citizen of the United Safes, to
the burying place, Mr.. GEORGE WASHINGTON
LAFAYETTE spoke thus:
"Gentlemen, we are here collected together
to pay our last duties to the remains of William
c. Somervlle, Charge d'Affaires of the United
States to Sweden.
GA virtuous man, distinguished writer,
worthy representative Of a great nation-Mr.
Somervile had the right to expect from us this
sad and respectful homage.
"a happy citizen Of the United States, who
had left them only to fulfil the honorable mis-
sion which had been confded to him, for some
time past foreseeing with tranquility the ap-
preaching end of his life, and wishing to give
to his country the last proof of his attachment,
had manifested his intention to be inferred III
American ground.
Gle thought that the blessings of whole ma
ton poured over their adopted son, that So re-
sently yet proclaimed him their friend, his chill
dren and grand children, had also consecrated
the place Of his residence; and the voice OF
the country and that of friendship, united to-
gether to inspire Mr.. Somervillc with the de-
sire to establish his last abode where already
repose two grand children of Gen LAFAYETTE
"That affecting desire is accomplished, and
the hand Of an American veteran is going to
shut up the tomb Of good citizen, of friend,
whose memory he will forever hold DEAR
The ceremony terminated, Mr.. Barnett, con-
sui of the United States, after having retraced
the relations OF the sweet remembrance which
unites his fellow citizens in the abode Of La
Grange, and that Of the sad occasion, rendered
his thanks to the assistants, in the name of his
country, for the respectful and honorable marks
Of interest which they manifested TO the me-
mory of MIR. Somerville.
1t appears by the following extract Of let.
ter from the venerated Mr.. JEFFERSON, that the |
expedient 10 which he has felt himself compel- |
ed to resort, 20 convert his property into the |
means Of satisfying the debts which his cele-
brity and hospitality have in great measure
caused him 10 incur, has been successful be-
You'd his expectation, and, TO use his own ex-
preston, "become source of felicity which
he should otherwise never have known" The
information contained in this letter, must be
highly gratifying to the numerous friends of
Mr.. Jefferson in this city, who had before its
publication manifested so decidedly their warm
attachment to him, and their readiness TO assis,
him: Baltimore GazeEe.
EItract. Of a letter. from Mr.. jefferson.
"I knew that my property, if fair market
could be obtained, was far beyond the amount
Of my debts, and sufficient after paying them,
to leave me at ease. | knew, al the same time,
that under the present AFFECT prostration of ag-
rtcultural industry in this country, no market
exists for that form Of property. A long sue
cession Of unfruitful years, long continued low
prices, heavy tariffs levied on this and other
branches to maintain that Of manufactures, Ca
lamitous fluctuations in the value Of our circu-
la,ing medium, and, in my case, want of skill
IN the management of our land and labor, these
circumstances had been long undermining the |
state Of agriculture, had been breaking up the
land holders, and land market here, while draw
ing off its bidders to people the western coun-
try Under such circumstances, agricultural
property had become no resource for the pay |
ment Of debts. To obtain fair market was
all wanted, and this the only means Of obtain
ing it. The idea was, perhaps, more familiar
to me than to younger people, because SO COM
monty practised before the revolution 1t had |
no connection with morality, although it had
with expediency. Instead of being suppressed,
r Il.