Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-08-10

COL Gage. Notwithstanding departures, the
town was still crowded and busy when General
Braddock, the five Governors and Commodore
Keppel met in the northeast room OF MAJOR
CarlyIc's Mansion House, that then stood 10
the midst of an acre of open ground, with the
river waves ripping % the shore close Dehind
it, and opened the most important assembly,
ever held in the town, which has we'll Deen
called
THE CONGRESS or ALEXANDRIA.
The congress was secret one. While the
colonists on the streets and in the fields around
were making ready to shed their blood 10 de.
fence of the claims Of the British Crown, the
Royal Governors begun in that old stone house,
the forging of that chain, which, twenty years
afterwards, Patrick Henry heard 'olankiog on
the plains of Boston, but whose rended links
are now pictured Oh the great seal Of the Com.
monweath. The official minutes Of the council!
are as follows:
At council held at the camp at Alexandria,
in Virginia, April the l4!h, 1855.
Present: His Exoellency, Edward Braddock,
Esquire, General and Commander.iu Chief of
| His Maiesties' forces in America
The Honorable Augustus Keppel, Esquire,
Conmanderin Chief of His Msjestes' Shps
and Vessels in North America
The Hon. VIM. Shirley,
The Hon. Robt. Dinwiddie, |
The Hon. James Delaney E:quires.
The Hon. Horato Sharpe.
The Hon. Robt. Hunter Morris.
Mr. Shirley was made Secretary OF the couo
Gil. The Generals commission having been
read, and the articles of his instructions from
His Majesty relatiog to common fund to be
established 10 the colonies for carrying on the
| II
also the Article relating to the Measures to be
taken for engaging the Indians in His Maesties'
interest, His Excallency, the General, made
the following proposals
That fluid for colonial defence be estab
lished
That Col. Johosou be sent to secure the
friendship Of the Five nations of Indians;
That Grown Point and Niagara should bt
attacked, and
That the fort at Oswego should he strenetb
eued, and vessels built to command Lake On
tario.
The members If the council having taken
into consideration the several matters 10 The
order presented By the General the Governor:
present acqusinted His EzcslIency that they
bad severalIy made Application 10 their respec
tive Assemblies for the Establishment OF the
common fund proposed but had not been able
10 prevail upon them to agree to it, and gave /!
as their unanimous Opinion that such 3 fund
can never be established in the Colonies with
out the aid of Parliament They likewise de-
c!ared, that having found it Improbable 10
obtain 10 their respective governments the
Proportion expected by His Majesty toward:
delraying the expenoe of his service 10 NORTH
America, they we're unanimously of the opinion
that it should be proposed to His Msjesties'
Ministers to find out some Method of COMPEL.
ing them to do it, and of assessing the 5e7era
governments 10 ProportoD to their respective
abilities their shares CT the whole money al.
ready furnished, and which it shall be thought
proper for them further to furnish towards the
general expenses of hls service.
They told Gen. Braddock that bis expedition
would be at stand uoles5 he used the credit
Of the British Government to raise funds.
They also approved of sending Col. johnson
to secure the friendship OF the Five nations
Niagara, and of Col. johnson as commander,
and advised the bulaiag of two vessels 90 Lake
Ontario, according to plans to be furnished by
Com. Keppe, and that in case Fort Duo aesDe
should be reduced By the expedition about to
star: under Gen. Braddock's command that
the cost of new works and the garrison there
should be borne by Maryland, Virginia and
Pennsylvania.
Braddook followed up this recommendation.
Il cannot" Braddock writes to Lord HALIFAX,
'but take the liberty to represent to you the
necessity of laying tax upon all His Majesty
domioons 10 America agreoaby to the result
OF the council, for reimbursing the great SUN;
that must be expended
The congress having closed, the Royal Gov
errors hurried to their respective goveromenls,
and communicated to their councils in conf
dcnce, not to be diVulgod," the proceedings Of
the Congress- at Alexandria. Twas many year:
before the proceedings came to light.