The Hawk-eye and Iowa patriot. (Burlington, Iowa) 1839-1843, 1840-07-16
For the Hawkeye and Patriot.
4th OF JULY AT IOWA CITY.

The celebration of the 4th passed of
in manner truly interesting. The cor.
ner-stone Of the Capitol was laid by Gov.
Lucas. A perfect unanimity Of feeling
peryaded every breast. All was done
with unusual calmness and responsibility.
In fine, the whole proceeding was con-
Quoted in manner that would do honor
to any community.
On arriving at the Capitol, Mr. Swan
President of the day, produced a copper
box, and after making a few remarks
handed to the reader of the day paper
containing the following, which wa:
read.
Fellow Citizens-We have placed If
this box to be deposited in the Cornel
Stone, a copy Of the Declaration of In
dependence of the United States. A copy
of the Organic Law of this territory; &
copy Of the laws passed by the first LIE.
gislative Assembly of this Territory; and
Journal of the House of Representatives;
and also copy of each of the Newspapers
printed in this Territory; and a scroll con.
tanning the following inscription:
This Corner Stone of the Capitol Of
Iowa Territory, was laid on the fourth
day of July, eighteen hundred and forty,
at meridian.
1t being two years since the organiza-
ton of the Territory. and one year from
the commencement Of laying GU. Of Iowa
City, at which time it contained no in
habitants. At this date said city contains
six hundred and four inhabitants. and one
hundred and twenty buildings. This cor
ner stone was laid in the presence of a
large concourse of people, by Robert
Lucas, Governor ofthe Territory of Iowa,
assisted by Chauncey Swan, acting Com.
missioner of Public Buildings in Iowa
City, Robert Ralston being Commission
er from the first Judicial District: John
Ronolds from the Second, and Chauncey
Swan, from the Third, being appointed
by the Legislative Assembly, to locate and
establish the permanent seat Of Govern
ment for the Territory of Iowa; which
duty they performed on the 4th day of
May, one thousand eight hundred and
thirty-nine, on the ground where this build
ing now stands.
Martin Van Buren,, President of the US.
Robert Lucas, Governor of the Territory
of Iowa.
James Clark, Secretary of the same,
Charles Mason, Joseph Williams, and
Thomas S. Wilson. Judges of the Terri
tory of Iowa; Charles Weston. Attorney
General; Francis Gehon. United States
Marshal; Jesse Williams, Auditor of Pub
lie Accounts. and Thornton Bayless, Ter
ritorlal Treasurer.
John F. Rague. Architect of the Capt.
tol of Iowa; William Skeen and William
builders; Chauncey Swan,
Robert Ralston. and John Ronalds. Com
missioners to Superintend the erection Of
the Capitol.
After which Mr. Swan. as Superinten-
dent of the building, deposited the Box in
the Corner Stone. And after an appro-
pirate PRAYER by the Rev. Mr. Vanhagan,
Governor Lucas proceeded to lay the cor
ner stone agreeable to arrangements: hav-
ing performed the ceremony, our much
Governor made short but very
address to the Spectators. and
was peculiarly happy in addressing the
ladies', of whom about 100 were present.
The concourse then formed in grove,
on the right of The Capitol, and an Grafton
was delivered by the Rev Mr. Gardner.
At the conclusion of which the Procession
formed and marched TO the Park; and par
took of an elegant Dinner. The cloth
being removed, the following Toasts were
drunk
REGULAR ToAsTs.
l. The 4th of July-the day we cele-
brate-sacred to every friend Of liberty.
While we hail ii as our national birthday;
may tvrants not desecrate it.
2. The memory of George Washing
ton-emphatically the father of his coun-
try; the warrior, the patriot. and the,
christian. Peace to his illustrious ashes.
3. The Constitution of the U. States
the Magma Charta of American liberty;
may it be preserved inviolate and sacred
from the ruthless hand of tyrants; and
may American posterity revere it in all
coming time.
4. The Heroes of the Revolution and
martyrs of freedom; may their achieve
ments stimulate the enslaved of all ma
tons, kindreds and tongues, to burst the
letters Of despotism.
5. The United States-Firmly may
they remain bound in one concentrated
chain Of amity, peace and concord; each
preserving the other from the oppressive
grasp of every tyrannical foreign foe.
6. The memory of Lafayette, De Kalb
and Pulaski. They have passed the
bourne of mortal existence. ard sealed our
independence with their blood. May
their memory ever live in the affections
of the American nation.
Z. The Tree of Liberty may its
branches flourish as evergreens, while
the wintry winds of revolutions blow the
requi EN- dirge DER the grass-clad graves
of millions of tyrannies.
8. The memory Of Thomas Jefferson,
the framer of the Declaration of Indepen-
dence: the friend and defender of liberty: