Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-05-26

the agents of subscribers"-that thus, IT Is sug-
gested, each may sanctify the other. From the
proposed exhumation and re.entombment in the
Presbyterian Church, we beg leave to dissent for
the following reasons. First, it is desirable that
a public monument ifrom the very principles Of
its establishment should occupy some conspicu-
Gus and public place; that it should not only be
accessible to all, but accessible by an equal and
common propriety. This requisition, it will be
seen, concludes, with the same force, against all
the churches of our land:-and rightly, we con-
ceive, whilst they are not national or ,n,cerSai'
but professedly sectarian. Secondly, IN mat
ter Of this kind. common decency demands that
we should consult the surviving relatives Of the
deceased, and shrinks from show OF violence 10
that sacred and delicate sensiblty which reia-
tionshp inspires, IN all things that concern the
unforgotten dead Of the removal proposed 1t
is we'll ascertained that the relatives OF MIS-
Washington, resident IN this town and vicinage,
decidedly, but calmly, disapprove. oothers OF
them. though apparently quescent, we have
ground to believe this proposal not altogether
congenial. Its repugnance. in a greater or less
degree. to the parties related, is founded upon
the most natural reasons: namely, and finally,
that the SPOT where she is buried was the tdvOrie
haunt of their amented ancestor-taat she care
fully selected it as the site Of her grave. and left
her dying iniunctions to that effect. One, well
acquainted with the circumstances under consi-
deration, thus writcs-:' am strongly impressed
with the idea, but am not positive OF the tact,
that IL was ut the particular request of Ms.
Washington her remains ,cere deposited where
Meu no,o are, or her daughter toould hare placed
then. ia the church yard Of The to,cn. remem-
Der it was favorite spot-nature has seldom
formed one more beautiful. She frequently Vi
sited it with her only daughter and grand. chill
dren 1t was here she impressed upon their in
fant minds the wonderful works OF the great
Creator of all things-His goodness-His mercy
to all who love and obey him." Who, that Sc
rously ponders the above. will not say that the
local sanctty of Mrs. Washington's grave is,
and ought to be. in,ioable? Let then her re-
mains rest unwronged aud undisturbed II will
be pleasing incidental reflection, to be awaken
ed bv the monument of that exalted Mother,
that it combines with a noble testimony of public
gratitude, Difference, in its location, to her
choice, which pos terity was proud to pay. AN
these things being duly considered, we. the cltl-
zens of Fredericksbu Falmouth and their VI
cinity, composing this meeting, are anxious to
perpetuate the memory Of the Mother OF Cen
George Washington by some suitable monument
and, whereas, we believe it to be inexpcdlent
NOT to say improper-to remove her remains
leyen were it possible to identify them. which is
not absolutely certain from their present resting
place.
Resoice9, That we view with deep regret, the
intention manifested by portion of our fellow
citizens, to search for and remove the remains OF
our once loved and respected citizen, Ms. Mary
Washin gton, from their present place OF repose.
and To re-entOmb them within the walls OF a
Church.
I'd PesoIrea, That we do most heartily ap.
prove the plan and purpose of erecting monu-
ment in memory of the Mother OF Washington,
on or near the spot where her unhOn0red ashes
now repose, in decided preference to every 9TH
er scite.
Sd. Resolred, That this is, and ought to be a
National measure, and that we will pursue it as
such.
4th. Resolved, That the citizens generally.
especially, of Fredericksburg, Falmouth and their
vicinity as well as those throughout the U. States,
lie, and they are hereby, invited to cooperate i'll
this laudable and meritorous design.
5th. Resoired, That Committee, consisting
Of fifteen members, be appointed, to be entitled
the 'iMonumenral Committee" to correspond
with other committees, which may be elsewhere
appointed, concurring in our views, to obtain
subscriptions, and to take such other measures as
they may deem necessarily proper to effect our OBJ
ject. That the said committee be composed of 9
residents of Fredericksburg, three residents of
Spotsylvania county, and three residents of Far
mouth & of Stafford county. That the said com
mittee shall have the power to fill all vacancies
which may occur in their body by death, reno
val or otherwise: that majority OF the members
shall be requisite to form quorum: and the fol-
lowing gentlemen are hereby appointed To form
the said committee: viz. George w. Basset.
Geo. Hamilton and Yeamans Smith, Of Spotstl-
vania, lohn VI allace, Henry L. Philips Samuel
HowIson. WIN, A. Knox, Reuben L. Thorn, VIM.
Jackson, jr. Edward II. Carmichael, John Cool
rick, and George Cox, of fredericksburg BAIL
Gordon, and James w. Ford, of Falmouth, and
John Moncure of Stafford
9th ResoiUed. That Mr.. William Allen, Of
Fredericksburg, be, and he is hereby appointed
Secretary and treasurer to the said committee.
9TH. ResoiUed, That the Editors of Newspa-
pers of this town, and throughout the United
States, be, and they are hereby respectfully re-
quested to publish without delay the foregoing
proceedings.
9Th, Resolred, That these proceedings Be Sign
ed by the Chairman aid Secretary of this meet