Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-01-03

I'll
although the offer was highly honorable ana
grateful to my feelings, was refused, d .n.o
sis,ent with a principle which mao saop.eu'
and had never departed from, namely no. -
receive pecuniary compensation LOT any sel.
ces could render my country 10 us a.uuo
struggle with Great Britain Tor us rig"'s, a"1
because l had evaded similar Propositions lr1u'
other States in the Union; adding 10 IN" ,.'u
sal, however, an intmation, that, II II Snouiu oe
the pleasure Of the legislature TO permit me 70
appropriate the said shares TO puohc uses,
would receive them on those terms win due
sensibility; and this it having consented 10, 10
catering terms, as will appear by subsequent
law, and sundry resolutions, in the most amP.e
and honorable manner. proceed, alter ms
recital. for the more correct understanding Oh
the case. TO declare, that as it has always been
source of serious regret with me, to see the
youth of these United States sent to foreign
countries for the purpose Of education, oi'en
before their minds were formed, or they had
imbibed any adequate ideas ofthe happiness oil
their own; contracting, too frequently, not only
habits of dissipation and extravaganza, Dut
principles untriendy TO republican government, ana
10 the true and genuine liberties Of mankind which,
thereafter, are rarely overcome. For these rea'
sons, il has been my ardent wish 10 see plan
devised, on a liberal scale, which would have
tendency TO spread systematic IDEAS, through
all parts OF this rising empire, thereby 10 DO a.
way local attachments and state preJudices, as
far as the nature Of things would, or indeed
OUGHT to admit, from our national councils
Looking anxiously forward TO the accomplish
mept of so desirable an object as this is, In my
estimation, my mind has not been able to con-
template any plan more likely to effect the meas
ure. than the establishment Of 4, University IN the
central part Of the United States, to which the
Youths of fortune * taleats from all parts there
of, might be sent for the completion oil their
education in all the branches Of polite literature,
in the arts and sciences, in acquiring knowledge
in the principles Of politics and good govern
men,; and, as matter of infinite'importance
in my judgment, by associating with each o.
Their. and forming friendships in juvenile years,
be enabled to free themselves, in proper de-
gree, from those local prejudices and habiluai
iealousies which have just been mentioned, and
which, when carried 10 excess, are ne yer falling
sources Of disquieiude to the public mind, and
pregnant OF mischievous consequences to this
country. Under these impressions, so fully
dilaled.
Item. give and bequeath, in perpetrity, the
fifty shares which hold in the Potomac Com
pany, under the aforesaid acts Of the Legisla-
ture Of Virginia, toward the endowment Of a
University, to be established within The limits
of the District Of Columbia, under the auspices
Of the General Government, if that Govern
ment should incline TO extend fostering hand
toward it; and until such seminary is establish
ed, and the funds arising on these shares shall
be required for It's support, my further will and
desire is, that the profit accruing theretron.
shall, whenever the dividends are made, be laid
| 90. 50 r---hnsins s.nrL in the Bank nfd.nln M
bia, or some other Bank, at the discretion Of
my executors, or by the Treasurer of the Unit
ed States for the time being, under the direc-
ton of Congress, provided that honorable body
should patronize the measure; and the divi-
dends proceeding from the purchase Of such
stock, are to be vested in more stock and so on
until sum adequae TO the accomplishment of
the object is obtained, Of which have not the
smallest doub, before many years pass away:
even If no aid or encouragement is given by
legislative authority, or from any other source.
What shall we think Of the sincerity Of those
gentlemen, who have been harping more than
twelve months, upon the extravaganza and un-
cons,itutionaity Of Mr.. Adams recommends
tioH VI I~a'ioho' pIo'ioCu,
and solemn deliberation," (these were the
words Of the first message) Congress should be
Of opinion, that "the enactment of laws for ef
fec,ing this object, would not transcend the
powers granted by that venerable instrument
which we are all bound to support"
We can compare such insincerity or child.
ishness, whichever it may be, to nothing better
than the "foly" Of the girl, who "cried on trifl-
ing OCCASIONS" and the consequence Of which
was, tina. when wolf actually came to deyour
her, nobody needed her cries. Fit should not
be so with the Constitution, il will not be ow-
ing to the wisdom or patriotism Of those who
are perpetually lifting up the voice OF lamenta
ton and alarm; which, however, is getting to
be as little regarded, as the cries of the silly
wench described in the spelling hook.
1t was our intention to have su5oined some
remarks on the subject OF appropriations for
Roads, Canals, &c. but are obliged to defer
what we intended to say on that subject, to
future occasion.
MRS. DECATUR.
Our readers are aware that the attention Of
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