Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-12-07

which that state again renews u q paw " oA'
territory on the North.
Goth Of March last. was requested to procure
and fl. in this Department, as soon as practical
Bile. an authentic copy of record OF decision
made some time anterior to the American Revo'
luton, before his majesty George the ~, late
king Of Great Britain, France and Ireland IN
case which was brought before his majesty IN
Council, by the late proprietor OF the Northern
Neck Of Virginia and the late proprietor OF the
western domain OF Maryland. In dispute ana
controversy touching the limits and boundaries
Of the several letters patent granted ny their 'ate
majes,ies King Charles ii and King James H.
for land lying on both sides OF the river Our
rough or Potomac, and also copies OF such other
papers as might he thought necessary and pro-
per, and appoint an agent who might convene
and take afidavits Of such persons as should De
able TO testify to any facts or circumstances IN
relation to the settlement and adjustment OF the
western boundary Of Mary land, which IN his OPT
Mon, ought to be perpcluated.
In pur suance of this resolution, ! appointed
as agent or commissioner, Charles James Faux
ner, ESQ Of Berkeley county. to perform the
duty required by the latter clause of the reso-
luton; and after fully ascertaining that the docu-
ment referred to, in the resolution. was not to be
found in the archives of this Government, the
agent was requested to become the bearer OF a
letter from me to the President of the United
States, requesting him. If agreeable to him, to
direct his secretary of the department OF state to
instruct the United States minister plenipoten'
iary at the court of St. James, to request OF tina;
government an authenticated copy Of the docu-
ment desired This request however the PresI-
dent declined complying with, Tor reasons
assigned 10 that correspondence, herewith com
muncated
Under these circumstances, it was deemed
most prudent, before sending our commissioner to
London for the Record, which at one time it was
feared would become indispensably necessary.to
request him to make full and complete search
in MARYLAND and aud in the public offices of Ac
comack. Northampton, Norfolk, and York. where
many public documents of Importance were SAID
to have been carried during the Revolutionary
War, to secure them against the wanton destruc-
ton of the invading British forces.
That gentleman has performed the duty assign.
ed him, with great ability aud fidelity. as will
be seen from his luminous report OH that subject
herewith presented TO you, report which clear
y shows that our right TO the Territory in ques-
ton, can be sustained in satisfactory manner.
even if we finally fail to obtain the desired docu
ment.
In my message TO you at the opening OF your
last session. you were informed that numerous In.
cendiary papers anu pamphlets or tracts, printed
in Boston, New York and Pennsylvania. had
been circulated amongst US. for the purpose no
doubt, Of melting our slave popula,,on to rebel
lion and acts OF violence, and that had felt 1t
duty to open a correspondence with the Cover
nors of those States, demonstrating against the
conduct Of their cltIZens, and requesting that
the guilty might be punished.
A hope was long cherished that some comnu
nica,ion would be received from the chiefs OF
those governments, stating that either they had
granted request so reasonable in itself, Or as
signing some satisfactory reason why 1t was de.
clined. From the Governor Of Massachusetts
received reply, doubling the existence of any
remedy butthe enactment of some puice laws
and their rigid executions; but from the govern
ors of New York and Pennsylvania no reply has
been received We owe, il is true, allegiance
to the constitution of the United States, but none
to men OF to sister state, and our first duty is to
protect this commonwealth in the full enjoyment
of her s,ve eighty, and our citizens in their per.
sons and property. That those governments
have been careless of our complaints NAV be just.
" Inferred, anI that individuals interest them
selves in those States to disturb our reposc, and
destroy the value Of this property Of our cItzens,
the documents heretofore laid before yon suffi.
GENTLY PROVE nor is it without foundation beIi-v.
ed, that societies are formed to encourage deser.
ton; the recent attempts on the Chesapeake Bay,
and by sea, furnish some evidence Of the fact
These things call for energy and decision, or in
short space Of time, the propertyof our inha-
pirants on the sea.coast, will be worse than va
lueless.
In adverting to our Federal relations, am
sorry. that have it not in my power to commu.
nlcate to you something more cheering to ami
mate your hopes. and upon which you might
found Just expectation that the Federal Gov.
eminent, for which Virginia has sacrificed SO
much, would retrace its steps and once more
confine its legislation within the bounds prescri-
bed to it by the Constitution. and leave the. CHI.
zeus Of the different States TO reap the benefit Of
their own labor.
The late Tariff with its oppressive exactions,
has been replaced by another hardly less injur-
Gus, which only mocks our suferinss b! assn.
ming the shape of modification.
Heretofore Virginia has watched her liberty