Virginia Argus

Halifax, July 8, 1809.

Mr. Pleasants,

By request of several respectable citizens here, I enclose to you for publication, the following sentiments, given on the 4th instant, by a very respectable assemblage of the citizens of this county, at the building erected for the factory of the Halifax Manufacturing Society on Banister river near the court house, being a meeting proposed by the society, and to which their fellow-citizens generally were invited, and held in honor of the ever-memorable and glorious epoch in our national history, which freed us from the thraldom of foreign chains, the 4th July, 1776.

1st. The 4th of July 1776; the national birth-day—May its character, sacred to the patriots of that era, never be tarnished by their sons; but at each returning anniversary receive additional lustre in their homage.

2d. The memory of the first Congress, & patriots composing the revolutionary armies of America: they contracted for, and paid the first price of our inheritance. To those undaunted souls is due and cheerfully rendered the tribute of grateful recollection. 'Tis all that we can give.

3d. The memory of Gen. George Washington—May it live embalmed in the hearts of the friends of liberty through all time; but especially of Americans.

4th. The President of the U. States: a wise and faithful son of the republic, & the mild, but firm, and dignified supporter of her rights.—May claims so ample, meet a just return in the gratitude and confidence of every true American.

5th. Thomas Jefferson, late president—May he enjoy as much happiness in private, as he possessed love and veneration by his countrymen in public life.

6th. The principles of the American constitution: mutual concessions, mutual forbearance, and mutual labours.

7th. The militia of the United States—when organized the only natural and safe defence of our liberties.

8th. The spirit of 1776—may the vital principle which animated the sages of '76 to assert their rights, and to burst, the chains of oppression, be kept alive, thro' all succeeding ages.

9th. Agriculture, navigation, and commerce not as measured to us by the tyrants of the world, but as we inherit them from our fathers, and our God.

10th. The Union of the states; perpetuity to it. Let no sister of the family be seduced from her allegiance and first love.

11th. Party spirit.—May it be buried in oblivion, and all honest men unite in the glorious cause of liberty.

12th. The powers of Europe: we offer them the hand and heart of friendship upon honorable terms, but otherwise withdraw them. Upon these conditions be the basis of all negociation and subsequent treaties

13th. May the Legislative, Executive, and Judiciary departments be ever kept separate and distinct, be exercised constitutionally, in the preservation of liberty, to all the citizens of the United States.

14th. Domestic Manufactures—a grand pillar in the fabrick of independence. "May every hand be extended and every heart engaged in aiding to rear and foster it.

15th.— The Halifax Manufactory—Let not its utility be underrated by being viewed through the medium of prejudice.

16th. Let the hand be withered that would plume the crown of any foreign despot with a feather from the American Eagle.

17th. The Fair Sex.—May they catch inspiration from the genius of their country, and clad in homespun, proudly spurn the garb of foreign dependence.

Several vollies of musketry, &c. followed the delivery of each sentiment, with loud cheerings of the assembly, and the whole was conducted with great order and decorum. A detached account of the proceedings, which was in true republican style, and several volunteer toasts given by gentlemen present are omitted for the sake of brevity. It may be proper to remark, however, that a spirit of conciliation, particularly cherished on this occasion, appeared to be attended with happy effects. The committee of arrangement were purposely selected from different political classes, yet appeared animated with a similar spirit on all leading points. It is also due to Captains Sandford of the Cavalry and Hanner of the Infantry and the respective detachments of militia under their command for the day, who honored it and the meeting with their military respects, to say, that the company was greatly delighted and the entertainment much heightened in the view of various military tactics and feats performed with high animation, as well as, in the order and regularity with which the duties assigned them were executed during the day:—It is equally due to Capt. William Roberts, to acknowledge the assiduity and respectful attention displayed by him in the preparation of a most plentiful and elegant barbecue for their accommodation.

ONE OF THE MEETING.