Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-01-30

Justice in Congress, and not murmur was
heard among the people, who were then ground
to the earth by taxes and requisitions to sup
port the war.
The soldiers did not think their country
bountiful or hardly just to those men Tor such
important services.
Besides these honors, an ample page was gi-
ven 10 this incident in the annals Of our revo>
lutionary conflict; and the biographies and his
torians gave the names Of John Paulding, Isaac
Van Wart, and DAVID Williams, to future ages
as men, in the common walks Of life, who
were above the influence Of bribe-men who
maintained Spartan integrity in the midst Of
corruption, espionage, ireaohery, and treason.
The story was told on both sides OF the At
lantic in nearly the same words; and the ene>
my, while he deplored the loss he had sus>
tanned. never denied these men the virtue Of
stern honesty.
Two Of these men, Paulding and Van Wart,
resided in the county have the honor to re-
present, and can speak Of them from person.
al knowledge. They supported through life
an unsullied reputation. Their fame was never
furnished; they were respected by the whole
living neighborhood, and honored with civic
honors when dead; and the Corporation Of the
City Of New York reared monument to the
memory Of Paulding, in gratitude for his ser
vices.
And now, sir, what is it that the petitioners
ask! For il must be remembered that il is not
the petition Of the widow and orphans Of John
Paulding for large sum OF money 10 give
them affluence and ease. No; butt is the pc.
tition of the inhabitants Of "estches'er coun>
ty, their neighbors, who are acquainted with
their INDECENT circumstances, and also with the
merits Of the deceased, soliciting only an hum
bic pi,tance to save a sinking widow and be-
reaved family from penury and want.
1t may be said, that hundreds OF meriiorious
| officers and soldiers who faithfully discharged
their du,y, have died without just compensa>
ton for their services and suffeli ngs. This is
is a painful truth, which ! deplore, not deny;
bu, think it is no argument against the prayer
OF this petition
Shall we be hardened against humane and
generous acts TO one, bee ause justice cannot be
shown 10 all? Shall We deny justice to the iv.
ing, because we neglected 10 do it 70 some who
are no~ b. yon,l he reach Of il!
This argument wa, strongly urged last ses>
sion on the bill for making some compensation
to the surviving officers of the Re, ol",ion, who
come under certain clauses, yet. thank God, II
had but little feet On the good sense OF this
House--a great portion OF the original num-
Der Of those entitled 10 this compen salion we're
in their graves they had fallen like the au
tumnal leaves, AMI sunk in;o the bosom OF
their mother earth unuotic.d add unknown -
Some of them died while we were lingering On
with the debate upon the bill-yet was This a
| reason why the survivors should be neglected,
and fall into their graves in The same forlorn
slate OF their comrades in arms! This bill gave
more Satisfaction IN every pa't IT the country
that have heard from, ,han all the other do
cry Ming aSns ior III The bsnsf II he Old sol
diers. And even those re, oiu,ionsry worthless
TO whom none of the nations bounty, as we
call it, came, never were known TO repine at
the good fortune OF others, although they just.
ly in many cases complain Of their moi being
aiken care OF themselves.
So far as it relates 10 myself, I would not
only cheerfully vote for bill 10 provide for
those who yet remain to BE- provided for
mean the militia who served in the war, bu,
for the widows Of all our soldiers Of the reyo.
:s,ion.
Let US look for moment and see what has
been done for the other actors in this drama-
the Traitor and the Spy who figured largely in
this business. The traitor, although his plan
entirely failed Of success, received his promised
rewards to The very letter Of the contract. The
ten thousand pounds were paid down: The Com
mission or rank Of Brigadier General, was in
stantly given him; his family were at once put
under the protection and patronage of the Bri:-
ish government; and his children are at this
day men Of considerable standing and wealth
in the Canadas.
The British government fulfilled every par, !
OF this base contract. They done all they could |
to make him man ofconsequence; but there
were hearts among our enemies too noble to
yield their confidence to a traitor.
AS regards the spy, it is true that he was in
sensible 70 honors, for he slept under the tree
where he was executed; but his government
pensioned his mother and sisters, and sumo of
them survive TO enjoy the royal bounty until
this day, A Cenotaph was erected to his mem.
DRY iusWestminster Abbey, among the monu.
ments Of the great and wise Of his nation who
had gone 10 their long rest in honor and VIRUS
ous praise. This was not all: Ai,er the Iap.e
Of nearly forty>6ve years, his bones were even
lnearihed by Royal mandate, and carried to
he ativ ella nd nj al in