Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1839-02-28
Miscellaneous.
MEMORIAL OF

MARIA HELENA AMERICA VESPUCCL.
Praying a donation Of public land, and
that she may be admitted to the rights cf
citizenship.
Ordered, That 80 much thereof as re-
lates to public land be referred to the
committee on Publ" Lands; that SO much.
as relates to the rights OF Citizenship be
referred TO the Committee on the Judiciary;
and that it be printed in the original French
with an English translation.
To the Congress of the U. States:
Maria Helena America Vcspucci, des-
cendant Of the celebrated Americus Yes
pucius, of an iIlusirious family Of Florence,
is now in America-ln the United States.
She has been obliged 10 quit her country
on account Of her political opinions. She
has separated herself from her family. in
order to avoid drawing upon them The dis
pleasure of their Government. She is now
alone, without country, without family,
and without protection!
America Vespu cci quilted Florence on
the 4th of October, 1884, aud has been
travelling from country to country without
resting place, (appui,) without security,
sustained only by the internal conviction,
of having performed duty to her country.
Afler many difficulties she arrived in
France. There She found an asylum
The good Queen of the French restored
her to courage by granting her protection,
[even] so far as to permit her TO travel
under the auspices Of the French flag
But this generosity does not give her
country; this protection does not bestow
upon her the title of a citizen.
The details of the life ola young female,
out of her country, would be too long to
relate. Every person of delicate feelings
may imagine her sad and painful situation.
She is now in this quarter of the globe,
which has been baptised by her ancestor;
by him who has bequeahed to it his i'm
perlshable name, and who NAV be said to
have al the same time. blessed it from hea
ven; for this nation, though young, is al
ready one Of the first in the world. 1t is
prosperous and rich, it is his name that il
bears. And if, moreover, Americus Ves-
pucius be regarded only as one Of those
old father mariners (uieur peres murins.)
whom civilized nations take so much pleas
ure in rewarding for their former services
IN the persons oftheir descendants, 10 whom
should America Vespucci apply if no, to
America, which now possesses superiority,
and strength on the ocean
America Vespucci will make no demand
on the American Government. Those
who make demands,are Presumed to have
rights to be established or justice to claim.
She has neither. She knows tina, the A
mericans have been magnanimous towards
all, who have done noble act for their
country; and that they have moreover.
granted protection and even assistance to
enigrants from other nations. There is
none but Vespucius who has given bis
name to quarter of,he globe. Will the
Americans do nothing for the descendant
Of Americas? She desires country, she
seeks land that will receive her as friend.
She has name; that is all her inheritance,
all her fortune. May this hospilable ma
ton grant her corner of that land in
which it is 80 rich, and may the title of
citizen be bestowed upon the poor emf
grant!
II Americus Vespucius were now alive,
the Americans would rush in crowds:o Of
fer him honors and rewards. In the 18th
century, will this civilized nation forget
that in the veins Of his descendants flows
The same blood! America Vespucci COL
lected all her little fortune 10 reach this
country; now she desires only to make
known her position to the Congress of,his
g,eat nation, feeling confident that the A.
mericaus will never abandou bes. She