Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1853-02-01
WILLIAMSBURG.

ID We publish letter copied from the Richmond
Examiner and relating chiefly to williamsburg the
former capital of Virginia. There are few Vir-
ginians who do not feel an interest in anything
y connected with that former abode of the Regal
Governors of Virginia. The place is associated
too with the most exciting of Revolution.
arylays, not it is true, battlefield hallowed
by the outpoured blood of our fathers, but as be-
ing the scene of the mutual struggle which pre-
ceded the mighty CONFUSION. 1t was there that
the most violent deeds of tyranny were performed
by the minions of England. There Lord Dun
more planted his spring guns to protect the pow
der magazine from the supposed efforts of the Col
onlStS, and from that place he was forced to abdi
cate and place himself under the protection of the
English fleet. Williamsburg too was the scene of
I7 brighter efforts than those Of her tyrants. There
@ met the House of Burgesses. In the halls of the
ancient Capital of Virginia was first heard the
burning eloquence of Patrick Henry when in the
thunder tones of inspired freedom HI said that
g "CaeSar had his Brutus, Charles the First, his
Cromwell, and George the Third-may profit by
their example, There too were heard falling
from the lips of the inspired apostle of freedom
those other words, which fell like a signal upon
the ears of his countrymen, and caught up BY the
genius of liberty, were borne on the whispers of
the breeze 10 the homes and the hearts of every
true son of America: "Give me liberty or piy,.
me DEATH" From that mome mt the seal was set on
Ensland's dominion in Virginia, the watch-word
had gone forth and the days of herrule were num-
bered with the past. In that same Hall was passed
the celebrated Declaration Of Independence (for
such 1t may be properly called) instructing the
delegates from Virginia to introduce into the Con-
greSs The resolution introduced by Richard Henry
Lee, declaring that these Colonies are, and of
right ought 10 be free and independent States 1t
was this resolution that may proudly be called the
parent of theIDecIaration of Independence. 1t
was introduced by Mr.. Lee on the 18th ofJune 1--WE
.' belleve) and when the celebrated committee was
raised TO draft the instrument, Mr.. Lee having been
called home suddenly by the illness of his family.
Nh Jefferson appointed 10 the post which he
would else had filled. While Independence Hall
must ever remain celebrated as the place where
JeiPrSon's declaration adopted the Hall of the
House of BurgeSSeS must ever remain consecrat.d
as the scene IF Henry's freedom stirring appealS
and as the blrth-pac of the resolution which i'm
med'ately produced the great Declaration of indie
pendence. Hallowed ever, then, be the spot in
the hearts of Virginians, in the hearts of Amer
lcans BY cherishn: the memory of our revolu-
tonarydays, we may best preserve Revolutionary
deeds, and while the Potomac laves the spot where
repose the ashes OF W Washington, while Bunker Hill
rears her monument-cad summit above the graves
oil Warren and his colnpatrotS, while the remem.
brance OF theRevolution itself claims its place in
the minds and in the hearts of the children of
revolutionary Sizes, while the proud temple which
they erected TO liberty, stands forth as the asylum
for the oppressed of every land, WILLIAMSBURG
shall not be forgotten.