The native American. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1840, 1840-08-01
[ No. 81.

~ p'utIuidl, bc llllS llicclltlS,
he signed by the President and Secretaries,
and printed under their direction. And that
copy be forwarded to the Govelncr Of each
State with request that he will lay the same
before tie Legislature of his State at their
next meeting.
TO OUR FELLOW COUNTRYMEN THROUGH
OUT THE TWENTY. SIX STATES OF THE
UNION AND TO THOSE OF THE STATE OF
MARYLAND IN PARTICULAR.
WE, the citizens Of Georgetown, in the
District of Columbia, in town meeting assem-
bled Oh this 23d day of July 1910, have re-
solved to address you in the following terms,
aud with the following statements:
A provision Of the Constitution grants to
Congress the power "to exercise exclusive
legislation in all cases whatsoever, over such
district mot exceeding ten miles square) as
may, by cession Of particular States, and the
acceptance OF Congress, become the seat OF the
Government of the United Sfates.a% We are
thus left entirely at the mercy of the Legis-
ature OF the Union, without Representative
on the floor, without voice in their coun-
dependent altogether on their will and
pleasure, on their wisdom and justice, for ac-
ton, beneficial or otherwise, operating upon
our interests, and Immediately affecting our
prosperity and happiness.
We, commercial and trading community,
! for 4 long period have had Banks amongst
u.s. those indispensable prerequisites for mer-
camille operations and facilities. The law
chartering the one we now have, was signedby
james Madison, and laws rechartering it were
once signed by James Monroe, and twice. by
Andrew Jackson. Previously to the eXpira-
ton of the charter of this Bank on the fourth
current, memorial. numerously signed by
the citizens, was presented to Congress, pray
ing in the most respectful terms for rechart-
er, and stating the fact that the institution was
perfectly able and willing to resume the pay
mcnt OF specie on its notes as soon as the
neghboring Banks of Virginia and Maryland
paid the same on theirs. A petition was also
presented by the Bank here for recharter, to
include as a feature of it, the immediate re-
sumption of specie payment on all Its notes.
Nevertheless, our prayer for recharter, as
we'll as the prayer of every one OF the other
five Banks of the District for the same, was
rejected, and nothing whatever granted to tie
Banks but the privilege. and specific time
wherein to close up their concerns, thus
leaving the whole District without banking
institutions, and this through the votes and
Influence of members Of the Senate who IN
sist on the destruction Of all Banks as poll
cy of the Administration.
No accusation of improper conduct has
been alleged against the Band here, or against
alv one of the other District Banks not
doubt expressed as to its abundant ability to
meet promptly and satisfactorily all its Ilablll-
ties 1t stands upon a footing equal TO any
similar institution in the land.
In times past too, it came forward boldly
and generously to the relief OF the Govern
ment, in the day Gifts need, when 1t was pres
sed on all sides, and the helping hand by no
means freely offered. Yes, fellow country
men, this very Bank, now SO unceremonlous-
" incapacitated for furhe action, Tor further
usefulness, issued its liabilities from time to
time to the extent of upwards OF SIX hundred
and eighty thousand dollars in aid the Gov
eminent three hundreds and twenty thousand
dollars Of which was for the provision, equip
ment &c, of your armies III the last war, and
one hundred and ten thousand dollars Of that
three hundred and twenty in order to forward
on the gallant army under Gen. jackson, to
strike the triumphant and decisive blow at
the battle of New Orleans. Why are we,
helpless as our situation is, and without power
of redress, inflicted with injuries, and oppres-
sions, and subjected to experiments unknown
in the surrounding States, unknown IN any
State of the Union where the ballot box IS
open-whcre the power to resist wrong IS lv-
inc aud active-where there is summons
unto iudgment-where the Legislators can
be brought to the bar of public opinion and
held to strict accountability.
We, the people Of this town, have exercls-
cd the little liberty which is left us. We have
awaited ourselves of our constitutional right
have expressed and published our honest
convictions and mature judgments in regard
to public men and public measures-have act
ed as men born in heritage Of freedom and a
free Government ought, under all circumstan-
ces, ever to act. For this we have been per-
secuted and punished; for this the rod of re-
venge has been laid upon our backs and for
this we have been 'beaten with many stripes"
and without mercy.
We proclaim not these things III the Ian.
guage Of fancy; they are words OF truth and
soberness, for the fact has been openly avoW-
ed, and stands embraced in expressions ut
tered bv a leading Administration member
on the floor Of your Representative Hall.
Fellow couutrymen, we are of right, heirs
n ,he s,n,o sol and same freedom as your