The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-02-27

One OF your constituents respectfully addresses YOU
this note that he may correct errors OF fact and
opinion, and in the belief that this correction may pass 10
other minds under the sanction OF your names The re-
payment Of the advance OF the sum OF $40 600 made
TO the OF the general government" has been demand
ed by the legislature OF Virginia after searching nyes
CATION aud careful consideration. Her voice on her
own money is entitled TO weight Its history, drawn
from the records shows how and when this advance h,
Virginia was made.
the year 1887. Mr.. Gerry. OF Massachusetts moved
in Congress that the board of treasury take measures
for erecting the necessary public buildings for the accom-
mediation of Congress at Georgetown, on Potomac river
so soon as the soil and jurisdiction obtained" &c
" and that the States OF Maryland and Virginia be allow
ed credit in the requison OF 1887 and in the arear-
ages OF past requsitons for such OF money which
they may furnish towards the erection of said buildings"
This proposition had on the vote six ayes to five noes
or which six affirmative votes Rhode Island and South
Carolina had but delegate present. and therefore
the constitutional number to cast the vote. The respon
sve action to this proposition Of Mr. Gerry appears in
the proceedings OF the legislature OF Virginia in the year
1885, and in these words: That, in case Congress shall
deem it expedent establish the permanent seat OF gov
eminent OF the United States on the banks on the Poo.
mac, this assembly will pass act for advancing sum
of money the Of the general government, be ap
piled in such manner as Congress shall direct, towards
erecting public buildings" And al the same session OF
the Legislature Of Virginia, and the day on which
this resolution passed for the advance OF this money an
act OF the assembly also passed for cesson OF part oil
the territory of Virginia for such seat of government the
preamble OF which law declares That situation com.
bining all the considerations and advantages before re-.
ci,ed may be had the banks of the Potomac, above
tide water, 10 country rich and fertile in soil healthy,
and salubrious, &C., where, in location OF ten miles
square, if the wisdom Of Congress shall direct the
States of Pennsylvania. Maryland, and Virginia may par
tlcipate in such location"
These extracts prove that Congress never asked OF
Virginia donation Of money; that Virginia never offered
g but advance OF money to the use OF the gen
era government Aud il also appears when the law of
Virginia passed al the next session OF its legislature the
resolution OF 7s9 is referred to the basis of this add
vance; whilst the journals of the Virginia house of del
egaies show that its legislature refused to make the
1870. 900 Donation and adhered the original promise
OF I" an advance OF money TO the use of the United
States" And subsequently, the first draft of The presi-
dent of the United States for this money proves that he
drew for il in conformity to an act of the general
semby OF Virginia, entitled act concerning dvance
of money TO the Of the United States for pub
lie buildings, uhese being the words of that draf The
proposition made by MIR Gerry in Congress contemplated
repayment OF this money in the acquisitions made or 10
be made. II was not asked gift With tina, year
7S) acquisitions ended with the confederation and tina,
mode for repayment ceased The resolution of Virginia
that followed this proposition offered an advance. and
nothing but advance, TO the OF the United States
And although Virginia generously to her sister State Of
Pennsylvania proposed at the moment of this offer of the
advance to make location Of the of government SC
as TO embrace within it part of the territory OF Penn
sylvania injurious msapprehension has some ex
tent prevailed that Virginia made this offer deprive iha
State OF this location. Another correction;
The request for the restitution of this advance OF money
is made by Virginia in the only capacity in which il
could be madeby her legislative voice. II is not gift
by Virginia to the Orange and Alexandra railroad The
fund, when repaid, is the property Of the State and lie
cneed Gas much of her other debt due by the United
States was to the education OF the poor This railroad
has only its condition Of issuing stock for It's
amount. and paying the dividend upon it. II is road Of
infinite importance to the government Of the United
States and It's cuzens, North, South East, and West
FEBRUARY "a, 1853 A VIRGlNIAN.