The Litchfield County post., 1828-07-24

and their health may be precious in hs sight
 and that they may live to see the work Oi
 their hands contribute to the comforts and
 and enioyments of millions of their country men.
 Friends and Brethren: Permit me further
 to say, that deem the duty, now performed
 at the request of the President and Directors
 of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal company ] and of the Corporation of the District of Columbia, one of the most fortunate incl
 dents of my life. Though not among the functions of my official station, esteem it as
 privilege conferred upon me by my fellow citizens of the District. Called, in the perf0r-
 nance of my service heretofore, as one of
 my native Commonwealth in the Senate, and
 now as member of the Executive Depart
 ment of Government, my abode has been
 among the inhabitants of the District longer
 than at any other spot upon earth. In avail ing myself of this occasion to return to them
 my thanks for the numberless acts of kind-
 ness that have experienced at their hands,
 may be allowed to assign it as a motive operating on upon the heart, and superadded to my official obligations, for taking deep
 interest in their welfare and prosperity. A,
 mong the prospects of futurity which we may indulge the rational hope of seeing re- aIized by this junction of distant waters, that of the suspicious influence which it will exercise over the fortunes of every portion of the District, is one upon which my mind dwels with unqualified pleasure. It is my earnest prayer that they may not be disap- pointed.
 Itwas observed that the first step towards the accomplishment of the glorious desti- nies of our country was the Declaration of Independence. That the second was the union of these States under our Federative Government. The third is irrevocably fix ed by the act upon the commencement of which we are now engaged. What time more suitable for the operation could have been selected than the Anniversary of our great National Festival? What place more appropriate from whence to proceed. than that which bears the name of the Citizen Warrior who led our armies in that eventful contest to the field, and who first presided as the Chief Magistrate of our Union You know that. of this very undertaking, he was one of the first projectors and if in the world of Spirits, the affections of our mor- tai existence still retain their sway, may we not without presumption, imagine that he looks down with complacency and delight upon the scene before and around us?
 But, while induging sentiment of joyous eAultation, at the benefits to be derived from this labour of our friends and neighbors, let US not forget that the spirit of internal inn provement is catholic and liberal. We hope and believe that its practical advantages will be extended to every individual in our Un- ion. In praying for the blessing of Heaven upon our task. we ask it with equal zeal and sincerity upon every other similar work in this Confederation and particularly upon that which, on this same day, and perhaps at this very hour, is commencing from neigh boring city. It is one of the happiest charac- teristics in the principle of internal improve ment, that the success of one great enter prise, instead of counterac ting, gives assist ance to the execution of another. May they increase and multiply, till. in the sub timer language of inspiration every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low; the crooked strait; the rough places plain. Thus shall the pre- diction of Bishop Cloyne be converted from prophecy to history, and in the virtues and fortunes of prosperity, the last shall prove the n0blest Empire of Time"
 When the President had concluded, a na- tional salute was fired, and brief address was made by the chairman of the Commit tee of arrangements, and also an address by Mir. Steward one of the Directors of the Com pany from Pennsylvania.
 These addresses being concluded, the spade was taken, and sods of earth dug in success sion by the President of the Canal Compa- ny, the Mayors of Washington, Georgetown, and Alexandria, the Secretaries of the Trea- sury, War, and Navy, the Postmaster Gen. eral, the Commander of the Army, the Rev olutionary Officers present, the Directors of the Canal Company. and then by great number of other persons.
 In returning, a cold coIation was partaken of on board the boats, with relish sharp ened by exercise, and by the qualification, free from the least particle of alloy, which the whole excursion and the incidents of the day had afforded to all.
 Attending this action was an incident which pro- duced greater sensation than any other which oc- cured during the day. The spade which the Presi- dent held struck root, which prevented it's penetra- ting the earth. Not deterred by trifing obstacles from doing what he had deliberately resolved per- form, Mir. Adams tried it again with no better suc cess. Thus foed, he threw down the spade, hastily tipped of and laid aside his coat, and went serious ly to scork The multitude around and on the hills S trees who could not hear, because of their distance from the open space, but could see and understand observing this action, raised loud and unanimous
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