Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1835-05-07
Al THRII.LING sPEECu.

the associates, wilkinson and klgour,
were upon the bench.
THRILLING SPEECH
The Goth anniversary Of the memorable
battle Of Lexington, the beginning OF the
American Revolution, was celebrated nj Dan
vers, Massachusetts,, ~ we'll ~ al Lexington,
by public procession, attended by brilliant
escort, an Address, a. the laying Of corner
stone Of q monument 10 be erected by the en-
terprising citizens Of Danver to the memory
Of the seven citizens Of that town who fell al
the hattie Of Lexington. Al the place where
the Monument is 20 be erected, the assem-
bled people were addressed by thc venerable
Gideon Foster, the surviving commander Of
the Danvcn company who repaired To Lex
ington on the morning Of the battle, and fought
braveiy the glorious fight Of their country
What IN interesting spectacle IL must have
| been 70 witness that venerable man, whose
locks arc whitehead with the frost Of sigAiy-sir
| winters, coming from amidst the sires, the pa
| triots Of the Revolution, that worthy race Of
men who have now almost passed from among
u, and addressing his children, and the chill
dren Of his compatriots in arms, i'm the follow
Ing eloquent strains Bell. Pet.
FRHSps AND PILLOW CIrtIESs:
On the ever memorable 10Th day Of
April, l775, now sixty years past, it
was my fortune to meet in this place,
with numbers Of my fellow citizens,
to defend the rights and liberties of
my country. The alarm OF war was
sounded. The enemy was then n
mongst US. The first blood of Ameri-
cans was then shed. On the plains of
Lexington the roar Of arms was then
sounding-the strife Of war was then
raging.
On that morning more than one hun
dred Of my townsmen fastened to the
field Of battle-unused to the articles
Of war-unskilled in the arts Of slay-
ing their fellow men-their hearts
were flowing with zeal in their coun-
try's cause, and ready to offer their
lives on the altar Of their liberties
Serea Of those who thus started in the
prime Of life and vigor of manhood,
ere that days sun descended in the
west, were numbered with the dead.
Many others have marks Of the we'll
directed fire Of the enemy.
To perpeiuate the memory Of those
who then offered their lives for their
country's good, to pepetuatc the
principles with which they were actu-
ated, is the purpose Of this days meet
ing-is the purpose Of the monument,
the foundation OF which has now been
laid. May this purpose be attained
may these principles be remembered,
and made the rule Of action, in all
coming time; and may The names
which are here recorded endure until
the granite OF our own hills shall be
crumbled in the dust.
was then % years Of age. About
10 days before, | had been chosen to
command company Of minute men,
who were Of all times 10 be in readi-
ness at a moments warning. They
all assembled on the reTy spot where
We this day assemble they all went !;
and in about four hours from the time
Of meeting, they travelled on foot full
half the way upon the run) siBiesn
miles, and saluted the enemy. This
they did most cfectually; as the re-
cords Of that day most clearly prove.-
] discharged my musket at the enemy
number of times, Il think eleven
with two balls each time, and with
well directed aim. My comradc, (Mr.
Cleaves, Of Beverly who was then
standing by my side. had his finger and
ramrod cut away by shot from the
enemy.
Whether my sho. took effect, can
not say; but this ! can say. IL they did
not, il was not for want Of determined
purpose, in him who sent them. OF
those under my immediate command,
there is no one left alive. Three Of
them were slain on that day. alone
remain 10 tell their story. ], totter-
ing old man. through the goodness Of
God, am still permitted 10 be here.
arm permitted 20 see this days ascend
ing sun. and TO witness these interest
ing ceremonies. can truly say il is
one Of the happiest days, and most
pleasing events Of my life. A few
days more at most, and perhaps very
few, and I also shall be numbered
with the dead.
But while I see the spirit that moved
the Patriots Of 20, bright and vigorous
in the breasts Of their descendants
while see the nights OF my fellow-cit-
izens maintained, and the Constitution
Of my Country defended can say
with Simeon Of old, now Lord, lettest
thou thy servant depart in peace, for
mine eyes have seen the salvation OF
NV CoUNTRY.
Bank Of -Narykaad.-We understand
that the ChkaeeIior Of the State has
granted an injunction on . ball fled
By the creditors Of this Institution -
The injunction was issaed on the 2Jth
inst, and has been received, prohibit
ing the Trustees from receiving esrsi6-
Gates Of deposit. open e0oounts or notes
q he Bank N payment of debts doe
TIE Bsnk---Ash. Cas-,