The Enquirer

Extract of a letter from Williamsburg, July 5th, 1807.

"The 4th of July was celebrated here in a manner highly gratifying to the friends of science and patriotism. I attended as a visitor, and will give you the best account, which my memory will permit; it must, however, be a hasty sketch, for I am just setting out upon my return.
Every thing combined to give peculiar interest to the occasion; but the late hostile aggression upon our national flag, was considered as a summons to every one to rally round the standard of Independence, and excited a more than ordinary solicitude to witness the efforts of genius, which the students of the college of William and Mary never fail to display.
At 10 o'clock, a numerous assembly convened in the Church. As soon as the volunteer corps of Light Horse had entered and taken their station, and the organ had ceased its animating tones, the President delivered an appropriate Prayer. Mr. B. Henley then ascended the Rostrum, and pronounced an ingenious and animated oration upon the day. A select piece of Music followed. The President and professors, together with the Rector, (Chancellor Tyler) and other visitors of the college, then withdrew to the Gallery, which is near to the Rostrum; and the form for a degree of Bachelor of Arts being read aloud, Messrs. W. Crawford, A. T. Mason, J D. Royal, James Boisseau and Brook Hill were called: they ascended the Rostrum, and were presented with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, attended with a short, but impressive address from the President.
This ceremony was conducted in a manner, which could not fail to produce the happiest effects. To behold young men thus publicly crowned for their real and extensive acquisitions in science, whilst the high approbation of their moral conduct beamed around them, is surely a spectacle, on which not only Parents, but even angels may gaze. Select music followed, as it did each of the succeeding orations.
Mr. Benjamin Watkins spoke next. His subject was--Capital Punishment. He controverted the right, as well as policy of such punishment.
Mr. Armistead T. Mason discussed the right of general suffrage; and contended with great force of argument, that society had, from it's nature and primary objects, not only a right to limit suffrage, but, that good policy and experience required that it should be limited.
Mr. E. Goodwyn contended, that a republican form of government, was, not only the best for man; but that no nation, ancient or modern, had reduced the theory and practice of that form to such perfection, as the people of America; and thence inferred, that their republics, both the general and the particular, would be as remarkable for their permanency, as others had been for their instability.
Mr. Andrew Reid spoke upon the constituents of true eloquence; and endeavoured to show, that the ancient orators had not that superiority over the modern, which is so implicitly attributed to them; he concluded with the anticipation of higher efforts of eloquence upon the American theatre, than had, as yet, appeared in any other country.
Mr. John Tyler shewed the importance of a liberal and rational education, in general; but particularly, as one of the essential means of giving perpetuity to republican institutions.
It is but justice to the young Orators to say that they acquitted themselves in such a manner as to gain the entire plaudits of an enlightened audience.
Indeed every one testified the highest satisfaction in hearing subjects so important discussed with perpicuity of thought, an extensiveness of research, and an elegance of style, which gave the surest proof of substantial improvement.--Nor should I have forgot to mention to you that the students of William and Mary have been justly celebrated for their correct and commendable conduct, during this course.
But the history of the day was also distinguished by an act of female patriotism, which ought to be noticed
Mrs. Paradise, a lady who possesses considerable property in the vicinity of this place, and who, tho' long absent from America, still recollects with pleasure, that she is a native Virginian, presented about 9 o'clock to the Troop of Light Horse, an elegant set of Colours, which she desired them to accept as a testimony of the interest she took in the military glory of her country. The colours attended the Troop into the Church, & being so placed as to play in golden waves over the heads of the young orators, produced a pleasing effect. A splendid dinner was also given by Mrs. Paradise to the whole troop, with many gentlemen of the town and country, at the Raleigh Tavern, and in the evening, a ball, to which she invited all the ladies in town, the students, and many visitants.-At both entertainments great taste and elegance, as well as unbounded hospitality, were displayed. Every one was happy; every one admired the politeness, attention and patriotism of Mrs. Paradise."