Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-06-24


than perhaps, any other measure, 20 cement
the Union; and, in cementing il, perpetuale lis
existence and extend its blessings 10 the widest
and most remote posteri,y; they cannot resist
the qualification uf expressing the happiness
they feel, in common, they are sure, with all
the stockholders, on the arrival OF day which
will increase the bright epuchs in our annals.
s. H. SMITH,
A. e. CAZENOVE,
l.. SMITH, )
Commissioners on the part ofhe United States
J. L HUNTER
r. II. HENDERSON,
WIN kLZEY,
Commissioners on the part of the Stute of Virginiu.
SAML. SPkIGG,
F. TILGHMAN,
Commissioner, on the part IF the State Of Maryland
JUNE ~, 1928
The Ch.ir stated tina, the first preliminary
question, previous to proceeding to the election
Of officers, was The term Tor which they should
serve, the charter leaving il 10 be liked for any
tenn not exceeding three years.
On motion Of Mr.. Rush, the term of one year
was agreed 10.
The question next in order being tie amount
of the salary Of the President, various sans
were mentioned, from 5000 10 500 dollars.
On this subject, considerable discussion oc-
CURED, when the sum Of 1000 dollars being
finally acouiesced in BY the different movers,
the question was put on that sum, and Carried.
Considerable conversation took place III re
la,ion TO the manner in which the votes OF the
meeting should be taken, and, also, on the sub
iect Of he compensation 10 he given to the Dl>
reSrors On the latter, several motions were
put AND rejected, when the subject was post
poned, On motion of Mr.. r. S. SQxe,Auntil The
election of President and Direc tsrs should have
been made.
On motion Of Mr.. Samuel Harrison Smith,
the meeting then came to the following rcso.
luton:
Resolved, That the election Of a Presiden,
and six Directors be now made, that It be
made by ballot, aud under The direction OF five
Judges Of election, 10 be appointed ny the
Chairman; the certificate Of which Judges, o:
majority Of them shall be conclusive
Mr. Rush rose, and said that ii was in virtue
Of the large pecuniary interest which the United
States had embarked in the Company, as well
as for the interest which they took IN 1t on all
other accounts, that he desired to offer himself
for few moments to the notice OF he chair.
His objcc, in doing so, was barely 10 present
10 tue consideration IF the meeting portion
o. the names who must constitute the officers
nowt be- called to immediate and active
participation ir the business of the company;
and he was glad 10 say, thai, 10 The names he
intended 10 present, he should have exclusive
reference to III. jus, claims which, as il ap-
pearrd to him, they possessed 10 the confidence
and SURFACES Of the s,ot kholdels. He was
ware, that in putting any persons IN nomina-
ton, he exercised notbing more than priv
lege common 10 every siockholder, and he
should ask assent 10 The names he would pro-
pose. only as they might be thought 10 deserve
il. The officers TO be chosen being President
and six Directors he would beg leave to name
for the first Of these situations CHARLEs FENToN
MERCER, citizen of Virginia, tue State under
the authority Of which The Charter Of the CONS
pany was held. Loud plaudi's following this
nomination Mr.. r. continued, that he had,
indeed, 1att, red himself hat, in proposing the
name of Mr. Mercer, he would but forerun the
wishes and the judgments Of those who heard
him-of aKhe would hope, Of preponderallng
uumber he ventured 10 feel sure. He would
not, however dilate upon what seemed 10 him
his many qualifications for the post; he would
abstain from oouble motive: for, frs, he would
not allow himself to encroach upon the lime
that ought 10 sc devoted 10 the ffcieni bust
ness Of the meeting, by consuming it in re.
marks, which, il he wen into them al all, upon
such topic, might be in danger OF run
n,ng into length; and next, he would es
pccally abstain, from the fear he lelt lest
he should mix up he feelings OF private
friendship with the discharge of a pub
lie duty. For, sale. Mr.. Rush i, was my
lot to know this gentleman at an early period
Of life, and 10 witness The germ of those talents
in him that had since been developed in ways
so useful to his country. He would, therefore,
waive all consideration of his other merits, un-
der the many aspects that they might be made
to present, con6ning himself to the proper
objects of the day. /, was sufhcieDt that a}
present knew Mr.. Nj. er as the zeaous, intel
ligenr, and uEiiring advocate Of The claims OF
the Company 10 the counienance and support
OF the Nation. All had seen him, day after
day, and session after session, mastering, with
patient industry, all the details of this subject
aud, with The enlargement Of mind for which
he was also remarkable, presenting them in
combination with these great principles of pub
lie policy in relation to Internal Impi ovemen,,
that were ultimately to constitute, in SO large