Brookville American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1858-1861, 1858-06-25
District of Columbia-.why Establisbs,

District of Columbia--Why Established.
Hon. W. o. Code, of Virginia, in a
recent speech in the Federal House OF
Representatives, thus recites the history
of the establishment Of the seat of Gov
ernment at Washington. 1t will be
new perhaps to some of our readers:
At the close of the war of the revo-
luton, when our arms were triumph
ant; when tho power of Britain was
overthrown, and victory had perchei
upon our banners, the army which
achieved this glorious triumph was left
in state of destitution. The time had
come when that army was to be dis
banded, and the veteran citizen soldier
return to his long neglected homo. But
ho was without pay-without O cent of
money in his pocket-far away from
his home;. all tattered and torn-all
wearicd and worn-he was to be dis
handed and turned loose upon the
world without even settlement of ac-
counts. He knew not what allowance
would be made for him by the country
whose enemies he had conquered, and
whose liberty he had achieved. Great
and extensive discomfort prevailed, and
there was danger OF general mutiny
Never was the address of General
Washington put to the severer trial.
but he firmly essayed the task, ard his
efforts were crowned with success
The spirit of patriotism was diffused in
to the army, as an emnation from his
soul. Order was restored, the army dis
persed, the liberties of America estab-
lshed upon lasting foundation.
At Lancaster, Pennsylvania, there
was q canton of raw recruits, who re-
fused TO be appeased, and who refused
to submit to be disbanded, by the terms
which were rendered indispensable by
the actual poverty of Government
And venting their rage, and vowing
vengence, they took up the line of march
for Philadelphia, where the Continental
Congress was in session. Their ap-
proach was known at Philadelphia,
Congress called on the corporate au.
thorities to provide the means of resis.
tance and protection. The corporate
authorities referred the question TO the
State authorities, and. pending the de-
lay which intervened the mutineers
had reached the city. The house in
which the sessions were held was sur
rounded by the cnraged soldiery. The
passways were blockaded with bayonets
and demand was made on the Coun-
ell, who assembled in the same house,
n chN H. IL -.
twenty minutes; and this message was
accompanied nith the threat that~>al
6n1n6n wdfc satisfied
sol OVbe tnrned loose, with
arnSr - hands, free from all res!
traints Of law.
BY some means, Of which ] am not
distinctly informed, the members effec-
ted their escape, and before they dis
persed in confusion, they agreed to re-.
assemble ut Princeton, and for some
time their future sessions were held
there. After this mortifying outrage
and fragrant insult Congress resolved
that it was necessary TO establish the
seat OF government in n locality and
under circumstances where they might
exert q power and authority adequate
to their own protection; and this deter
mination seems very generally TO have
settled down in the public mind. At an
early stage Of the proceedings OF the
Federal Constitution Of tho United
States, resolution was adopted instruc.
ting the committee to insert q clause in.
suring an adequate authority in the
Federal government for all purposes ol
self-protectiop which resulted in the
clause now found in the Constitution
establishing an exclusive jurisdiction
within this district