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 OF fact and
opinion and in tie belief that this correction may pass "a
other minds under the sanction OF your The
payment Of the advance OF the OF Sl20 900 made
to the OF the general government has been demand
ed by the legislature OF Virginia, after searching nvesl
CATION aud careful consideration Her voice on her
own money is entitled 10 weight It's history, drawn
from the records shows how and when this advance By
Virginia made
In the year $751; 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.
the soil and Jurisdiction are obtained" Sc
and that the States Of Maryland and Virginia be allow
ed credit in the requiston 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 the vote six ayes to five noes
OF which six affirmative votes, Rhode Island and South
Carolina had but delegate present, and therefore not
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 wear
1850, and in these words That, in Congress- shall
deem it expeden 10 establish the permanent seat of
eminent OF the United States the banks on the Polo.
mac, this assembly will pass act for advancing sum
OF money TO the use OF the general government be ap
piled in such manner Congress shall direct towards
erecting public buildings" And 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 of
the territory of Virginia for such Of government the
preamble OF which law declares That situation con.
bining all the considerations and advantages before re-
cl,ed may be had on the banks of the Potomac above
tide water. in country rich and fertile in SOIL healthy,
and salubrious &c., where, in location oil ten miles
square, if the wisdom of Congress shall SO 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
gilt but advance of money to the use OF the gen.
era government And it also appears, when the law OF
Virginia passed a, the session of its legislature the
resolution Of 1852 is referred the basis of this adj
vance; whilst the journals OF the Virginia house OF del
egates show that its Legislature refused to make the
$l2O. 900 donation, and adhered to the original promise
OF !" an advance OF money to the of the United
States" And subsequently the first draft OF the Pres
dent Of the United States for this money proves that h,
drew for it (" in conformity to act of the general as
sembly OF Virginia. entitled act concerning advanc,
OF money the of the United States for pub
lie buildings" Qhese being the words of that dra Th
proposition made by Mr.. Gerry in Congress contemplated
repayment OF this money in the acquisitions made or Il
be made. 1t not asked gift. With that yea
(l7sD acquisitions ended with the confederation, and tina
mode for repayment ceased The resolution of Virgins
that followed this proposition offered advance an
nothing but advance, the of the United States
And although Virginia, generously to her sister State
Pennsylvania, proposed the moment of this offer of tn
advance TO make location of the OF government
10 embrace within it part OF the territory of Penn
sylvania injurious Misrepresentation has to some ex
tent prevailed that Virginia made this offer deprive tina
State OF this location Another correction:
The request for the restitution OF this advance OF none
is made by Virginia in the only capacity 10 which
could be madeby her legislative voice II is not gil
by Virginia TO the Orange and Alexandra railroad Tn
fund, when repaid, is the property of the State, and
consecraed as much of her other debt due by the Unie
States was) to the education Of The poor. This railroad
has only It's condition OF issuing stock for III
amount. and paying the dividend upon it. IL is road
infinite importance TO the government OF the United
States and It's citizens. North South East, and West
FEBRUARY "a, 1853. VIRGlNIAN.