The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-08-07
AN ADDRESS
10 om Fellom Comtrymen throughout tie
Tremy-Sir States Of the Union, and 70
EdryiaHi III particular.

10 ow Feiiom Counhymen throughout ne
TWeaty-sLr States Of the Union, and ~
.Hdfyidhd ~ particular:
We, the citizens Of Georgetown, in the Dis
trici of Columbia, in town meeting assembled
on this 23d day Of July, lsl0 have resolved to
address you IN the following terms, and with the
| following statements:
provision Of the Constitution grants To
Congress the power 10 exercise exclusive lc-
glsaon in all cases whatsoever over such dis
trict (not exceeding ten miles square) as may,
by ccssion Of particular States, and the accept
ance OF Congress, become the seat Of the Go
yernmen Of the United States We are thus
\ left entirely al the mercy of the Legislature OF
the Union, without Representative on the
floor, without voice in their counscls-dcpen
dent altogether on their will and pleasure, on
their wisdom and justice, for action beneficial
OF otherwise, operating upon our interests, and
immediately affecting our prosperity and happl-
ness.
We, commercial and trading community
ior long period have had Banks amongst us
those indispensable prerequisites for mercantile
operations and facilities The law charterng
the one we now have, was signed BY James
Madison and laws recharterng il were once
signed by James Monroe, and twice BY Andrew
Jackson. Previously 10 the expiration Of the
charter Of this Bank on the fourth current,
was presented 10 Congress, praying in the most
respectful terms for rechaIter and stating the
tact that the institution was perfectly able and
willing TO resume the payment OF specie on its
notes soon the neighborng Banks OF
Virginia and Maryland paid the same on theirs
A petition was also presented by the Bank
here for a recharler, 10 include as feature OF
IT. the immediate resumption of specie payment
on all its notes. Nevertheless, our PRAYER for d
recharter as well as the prayer of every one OF
the other five Banks Of the District for the
same, was rejected, and nothing whatever
granted 70 the Banks but the privilege, and 4
specific time wherein, 10 close up their con
Germs, thus leaving the whole District without
banking institutions, and this through the votes
and influence OF members of the Senate who in
sst on the destruction Of all Banks as policy 81
the Administration.
No accusation of improper conduct has been
alleged against the bank here or against any
one OF the other District Banks-not doubt
expressed as 10 IFS abnndan, ability 10 meet
promptly and satisfactorily all lis liabilities II
stands upon a footing equal 10 any similar inst
futon IN the land
In times past too It came forward boldly and
generously 10 the relief Of the Government IN
the day Of lis need, when II was pressed on all
sides, and the helping hand by no means freely
offered. Yes, fellow countTymen, this ven
hank, now uncercmonouslv incapacitated for
further action, ior further usefulness issued IL,
liabilities from time TO time 10 the extent Of ~
wards Of SIX hundred and eighty thousand dol
lars IN aid Of the Government-thre hundred
and twenty thousand dollars OF which was for
the provisions, equipments, &c. of your armies
IN the last war, and one hundred aud ten thou
sand dollars OF that three hundred and twenty,
IN order to forward on the gallant army under
Gen Jackson, 10 strike the triumphant and de
cislye blow al the battle of New Orleans. And
why are our charters taken from as Why are
we, helpless as i our situation, and without
power Of redress inflicted with injuries and op