Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-01-24

endear ITS guardians t. men VINO "d' '''' ~,
title to its benefits. While therefore the peru
seems fancifui, and the remedy insufficient your
memorlaists cannot apprehend that sucn con,
sideration will deprive their petition OF the h'uu
and deliberate attention OF Congress.
All which is respectfully submitted.
Mr.. Snouden-l attended at the Market
Square, on Saturday. to hear the subject DISCUSS
ed which now engrosses our attention, VIZ. The
iuterrogatories proposed by Mr.. Doddr'dge' as
Chairman of the Committee on the District OF
Columbia in the House of Representatives, to
the People Of this County through our Mayor
on which we are called, this day, candidly aud
honestly to answer went with the assemblage
from the public square to the Theatre, and paid
much attention to the arguments advanced
shall say nothing here as regards the course pur-
sued by the Committee Of Vigilance appointed
by the Common Council, nor as to whose parti-
cular duty it was to convene the Council on re-
ceipt of Mr.. Doddridge's letter, IN the absence
of the Mayor, or while he is incapscitated. by
indispositon, from attending to his official duties;
but content myself with knowing (no matter by
what means) that we are at last to have an op.
portunty of speaking for ourselves. And hope,
Sir, that the People will, to a man, attend at the
Polls aud speak in language that cannot be mis-
understood-that although we have submitted.
and remained quietly for thirty years in our ab-
iect. dsbased, degraded, disfrauchised condition,
without, Of our own accord, having agitated the
Question of Retrocession to our parent State
let US, now that the question is proposed to US,
answer. as becomes US. honestly and fairly; let
US answer like men worthy of our ancestors
like men who would be freemen-like men who
are willing to earn aud pay, If necessary, few
dollars per annum more taxes than we now pay,
that our children may enjoy the privileges COM
mon with the freemen of these United States:
that we desire no longer to be represented, as
these States (when Colonies) were, without
voice in such representation; but desire to 60
back to our Observation-Disclosures would never
have relinquished US, if she had forescen the in
jurv that has resulted to US from it. No! she
would have retained US and, as healthy, vigor-
Gus and growing member Of her family, have che
rshed US and have done for US what we have
sought for else where in vain. We should have
participated in her every enjoyment; her litera-
ry fund would have saved US the modification Of
having our memorial, asking the "p"or boon"
Of section or smaller portion of the Western
wilderness, thrown under the tabIe-(for if it
did not 60 there, it is believed that nobody here
knows what did become of it.) Animated aud in.
fuenced by that spirit Of patriotism which has ever
characterised her, she came forward and coded a
portion Of her territory, in conjunction with her
sister State Maryland, to the General Govern
ment, that they might have under their special
control and command force to protect, II ne
cessary, the deliberations of Congress. She did
not cede US bsggars to them-no: she at the same
time generously opened her Golfers and presented
them with $50, 900 dollars towards erecting their
public buildings; and in doing SO she supposed
that, although she was relinquishiDg then thriv-
was certainly to her loss, that she was doing
that portion Of her dominion no injustice Or nju-
ry. She thought she was cofdng US to a strong,
powerful. mighty and able protector, who would,
in return for the sacrifices that must necessarily
be made ON our part, afford US that aid and as
sistance which our interests might require, and
which it was proper should be extended to US, or
at least that we should be placed in no worse
condtion-save disfranchisement. Now, what
have they done for us? They received US, and
forgot, or neglected to say to the States that We
were still Citizens of the United States.-And
WHIST was the consee, uence? will tell you.-
Several of our townsmen. who have been 80 un-
fortunate as to be under the necessity OF sueing
in the Federal Courts, have been compelled to
leave their homes, and incur the expense Of hav.
ing residence in one Of the States for year,
that they might be upon an equality with citizens
of the States. and | believe with aliens, in the
prosecution of such suits for the recovery Of
their just rights. x
I" The course of argument, atD 'd,y, by
way of showing Il, how I'M { il would now