Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1831-01-20


th.t Their ancestor wss IN active agent in the
w"' OF the revelation, by which the Freedom and in
dep"ndence of the United States were achieved:
That from tho common cement to the clrse of that
glorious cortest he manif sed the most arlent zeal
IN asserting tho rights Of his country. and displayed
the most determined courage and patriotism in main
Ia nNnS item. ii, vas one Of that illustrous band
oi worthless. who ah ~ed their signatures to tho i'm
mortal Declaration of independence, by which they
Pledged their lives. their fortunes, and their sacred
honor, In defence ofthoso great principles therein
Proclaimed to the world. He often declared, that
no dd not consider the assertions made in that sacred
instrument, by thosc who signed it, as the emnty
men'ce nj excited feeling, but as the heartfelt
solemn pledge of hcnourabe men, determined on its
redemption and ful6lment occasion and the neces
sites of the country should demand. Tho sacred
truth ct his assertion. and his practical exposition Of
Inc obligation resulting from this pledge, will be
Tested and illustrated by the subsequent details Of
nus conduct in the war ofthe revolution. He enter
ed upon the revolutionary arena, as a champion to
maintain the rights Of America. possessed Of very
la ge estate IN lands and slaves, unncumbered with
deots' and holding by Inheritance from his fathers
ca success IN commerce, q capital Of Gao 900, in
oonds oil the mo6t sa,rest ssca of the country. All
these he may with truth be said to have offered
as' sacrifice on the altar of the public veal
For at the close # bis life. doubtless shortened by
lohrmFy and sickness, contracted by exposure during
tha' arJu"us conflict, and which occurred in very
10" years afler the end of the there remained
arcr ibe application of his property to tho payment
Of his debts, but pittance Of his immense estate
ior Tile support Of large and numerous family re-
generous
eSted sacr hccs Of heir ancestor, mnds to promote
the freedom and independence of his beloved coun-
Try. In the beginning of the revolution. he was ear
iy app u'ed by the Legislature Of the State to com
mand one of the first regiments which were to be
raised Tor the acfenc' of this Commonwealth but :,
atthe same session of The Legislature, being .elcc
ted as one Of those WHO should represent the Com
rnonw' alth in the Congress Of the States, 10 be
holden at PhIad lphia. aud i, being deemed moro
important that he should lend his aid IN tie delbers
tions of that body, than that he shouia take tho
he'd as the commander of Il regiment ne was in
duccd by public considera'ions, and the advice of
friends. to accept the CIVIL and decline tho military
appointment.
AT the second session of the Congress in which bs
served the imperishatlc act of procaiming to the
world, that these States were. g. of right ought to
pe fee and independent, was performed by the patr
os OF that llustrous body and sanctioned by the
PieuSe oil all, that high mi ded honorable men, hold
most dear, the cnmmilta of their lives their for
tunes. and their sacred honour, the issue of the
approaching contest. Hs continued to represen MT
the commonwealth in several successive sessions of
the continental Congress, until almost worn down
oy the unrem'tted exerion demanded by these per
ilous times, he was forced to retire for a time tn
private life, for the restoration of his health. But
ms ardent and generous spirit could long brook
the stlessness of retirement while all around wore
reused to action by the pressure Of foreipn fne
whilst regaining his health by short repose he
heard the din of war in the north, and the p,llant
Washington calling to the tented field his connt,y
men to rally around the banner of the Union in
squadrons Of Volunteers, to guard from inroad by
of hose
petitioners, heard from afar this pressing CALL and
ever ready with his aid, when needed by his country
he buckcd his armour and summoned To tho
hcid band of the gallant youth of his native State
amounting TO 10 in nber. and being chosen "a
their commander, he marched Them to Philadelpbia
the seat of the Continental Congress, and there
made tender of their services to that venerable bo
dy The occasion for using volunteer CORDS having
been but temporary, and hsvIng passed bv vvhen
this body of cavalry arrived, the Congress by reso
luton voted their thanks for this patriotic exer,on
anu recommended their return home, through the
commander IN chief. In this genorous effort 10 d.
lend their country, at their expense and with
out remuneration, the ancestor of the petitioners
was 'he ac've mover Very many of this ga liant band
distinguished by their ardour in their coun,rvs csns
were unable to provide their own horses and e.n;n
mH"'s' and not possessed Of funds 70 bear their az
penees III the expedition horses wero sunnl;eJ "a mn
ny OF those who could furnish them of tbe;, o,
oy the petitioners ancestor, and money 10 defI.v the
exrenses OF great portion of this pairiot;c CONS 90
their march 10 Philadelphia and back again ,,,s e.
1sheu n, ron The purse of their generous comman-
der TO ascertain the precise amount of d;sh,r,a
Inents made on this occasion, would have been nex,
10 impossible at the time of their occurrence To
present them now in form of an account, is beyond
the attainment OF human effort. gross amount NJ
one half the expense of marching equippnp and soo
porting such band Of troops as this with one f,nr,h
Oh the expense 81 mounting them. would not proba
oily exceed the full recompense of the Disbursements
made on this occasion This portion of the claim i.
supported by the certificate Of most re.necta HE
man, the late Captain George Dabney of Esnov.
VINO estimated the disbursement made by General Ne .
SON. at $4,000. Ats subsequent period in the hon
OF ms countrys need, when the exhausted resources
OF the public treasury compelled the Stoe TO look 10
Individual loans tor relief from her difficulties md
The sinking credit Of the State was to be upbejd
by the credit ofndivdaus, the ancestor of these M
tioners was designated with others 10 be the AEON,
for collecting Sa,ooOO0o by loan of the citizens e.,
tho use of the government. This employment was ac
cPpted by him with alacrity a letter to John pace
OF Roosevelt, late governor of this Comm onwealtb.
m"ng the papers herewith present ed. clearly shows
and executed with that fidelity and public spirit. with
winch he fulfilled every trust committed to bis care bv
ms country. His efforts to obtain money upon the
credt OF the State. proving wholly Intellectual his nm
peas TO every honourahle and patriotic motive entire
~ unavallng being told by the lenders hat thew woud
not trust the country but would lend to hin, on his
private responsibility, whatever money thew could
raise, he borrowed his own personal credit and