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THE GAZETTE, --b7jS1)GAE~InOWDEN._ Terms. Daily paper - - - - » gj SI Country paper - * 5 p The ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE forthe coun try is printed on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. , All advertisements appear in both papers, an are inserted at the usual rates. _ 9 PUBLIC DOCUMENTS. Documents accompanying the President s Message REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY. Navy Department, Sorember 29, 1834. To the President of the L ailed States: Shu In laying before you, at this time, a suc cinct view of the condition of our navy, and its operations during the past year, itaffords^me great pleasure to state, that its Kr.ajjiuta‘j™r5^„ and improvement are such, as ra'gjjt have been anticipated from the ample means for that pur pose which have been afforded by the Jiber policy of Congress. nival force All the services required of our naval torce . heen promptly performed; our commerce has be«Mi protected in the remote as well as the iifJhhn1! im' seas: our national character has been sustained at home and abroad, while a Portion ol our naval officers, seamen and marines have been kept in active service, under a Set discipline, calculated to fit them for all the duties which may be required of them, whe ther in defending our property on the ocean from pirates or open enemies, our shores horn hostile aggression, or our flag from Insult. An inspection ot our navy yarns at ru, ,, mouth, Boston, New York. Philadelphia W a*h [n non, and Norfolk, made in August and Sep tember last, in company with the Commission ers ot the navy board, has afforded me the most satisfactory evidence of our means, in a short Jime ol increasing our navy to any extent the exigencies of our country may require. The officers in charge of those stations per forin their duties with great ability and zeal; the building and repairing of our ships are ton ducted with de-patch and economy; and the ample m .terials on hand for naval purposes are nre-mrved with the greatest care, and by all the inmins which science and experience can sug ge-t 10 prevent decay. . . .. - ow> Our naval force consists of six ships of the line, and seven fngates now building, for the completion of which additional appropriations t » the amount of ft 1,527.610 will be required; of five ships of the line, two frigates, and si* sloops of war in ordinary, requiring repairs which will cost $1,362,000, in addition to the materials on build for that purpose; and of one ship of the 5 ne four tributes, eight sloops of war, and six ,mc,,n„n.is,on.-in all, twelve ships of the line, thirteen frigates, fourteen sloops of war and six schooners. Besides which, the frames of ships procured, or under contract, for the gradual increase of the navy, and other ma terials on hand or under contract for that pur nose. will afford the means of bringing into the service, as so >n as it can probably be required, an additional force of five ships of the line, ele ven frigates, seven sloops of war, and two schooners, th? building of which may be imme diately commenced on launching our vessels now- upon the stocks. Our ves-els in commission during the past year have been employed, as heretofore in pro tecting our commerce in the Mediterranean, in thn VV<*st Indies, on the coast of Brazil, and in the Pacific ocean. . , . . The ship ol the line, Delaware, the fngates United Stans and Constellation, the sloop of war John Adams, a id the schooner Shark, have been thus employed in the Mediterranean; and the frigate Potomac, after her return from the Pacific an I Indian oceans, was repaired, and sailed on Hie -20th of la-t month to join the Me diterranean squadron, from which the frigate Constellation had been ordered to return. I his frigate arrived at Norfolk on the -0th instant. Thesloooof war John Adams returned to the United States in February, from the Mediterra nean, and sailed again for that station in August last, after receiving necessary repairs. On the West India station, the sloops of war Vandalia, St. Louis, and Falmouth, and the schooners Grampus and Experiment, have been employed. The St. Louis returned to Norlolk in July last, where she has been repaired, and fr.*m whence she sailed on the llih instant to resume her station in the West Indies. The Vandal a returned in August last to Norfolk, where she is undergoing considerable repairs, which it is believed will be completed early next month, when she will retnrn to the West India The sloop of war Natchez, Ontario, Erie, Lexiu* on, and Peacock, and theschooners En terprize and Boxer, composed o»ir squadron on the coast of Brazil. The Erie did not sail for thfs station until August last. T.u- Lexington returned to the United States in April, and the Peacock in May last. The Enterpr.ze return ed in April, and sailed again for the Brazilian station in July »«st, in winch month the Boxer returned to the United States, and, after being repaired, sailed for the Pacific. The Peacock is now undergoing considerable repairs, and is ex pected to be ready for sea early in Feb. ne.xt; For our station in the Pacific, the frigate Brandywine sailed on the 2d of June co-operate with the sloops of war Fairfield and Vincennes, anil schooner Dolphin, and with the Boxer, now on her way to that station, from which the Falmouth returned on the 1st of *eb ruary, and, after having been repaired, sailed for the West India station in March last. Our naval force, consisting of commissioned and warrant officers, petty officers, seamen, ordinary seamen, landsmen, and boys, amounts to 6 072: and our marine corps, under its nevv organization, will consist of commissioned otb cers, non-commissioned officers, musicians and privates, to the number of 1,283; making a to tal of 7 3 >5. ^ f „ . The dry docks at Boston and Norfolk have fully answered the most sanguine expectations that were formed of their uselulness. They are now deemed indispensable to a speedy and eco nomical repair of our larger vessels. But the two already finished are not sufficient for the purpose of our navy. An additional dry dock, at some intermediate point between Boston and Norfolk, would greatly promote the purposes L *hich our navy is established and maintain fJT As a site for such additional dry dock, harbor pf New York presents greater ad uTnt^res that are to be found in any other s.tua which, many be enumerated the CIStcmnmeree of the placet the facilities wh,ch SLVrhv of New York affords for recruiting sea jbTiUfo? Pouring all materials as well as Sr employing skilful mechanics and laborers £ceasary for repairing vessels. The experience required in making the two_ t dry docks already finished, cannot fail to be ol i advantage in the construction of a third. I would respectfully repeat a recommenda- < tion of my predecessor, that authority be gtv- 1 en to construct two or three steam batteries, as < the means of testing the application of steam to the purpose of national defence. It cannot hardly be doubted that the power ot steam is soon to produce as great a revolution in the defence of rivers, bay3, coasts, and har bors. as it has already done in the commerce, intercourse, and business of all classes of men | in Europe as well as America. This subject has already attracted the attention of the mari time powers of Europe; and our honor as well as safety require that no nation, whose fleets may come in conflict with ours, should be in advance of us in the science and application of this power, upon which the success of our fu ture wars with them may depend. Should the power of steam as a means of de fence, produce all the effects that may be just ly anticipated, it will diminish, in some instan ces the necessity of permanent fortificationson our coasts, by substituting those which may be moved from place to place as they may be wanted, and in our waters become the formida ble engines of attack as well as defence. The heavy cumbrous steam vessels and batteries, with their necessary apparatus and supplies, which may be brought into action with the most powerful effect by a nation near its own shores and harbors, cannot be transported over distant seas and oceans for the purpose of at tacking its enemies. Should, therefore, the ap plication of steam became a part of the system of maritime war, it is a consolation to. reflect, that it will greatly diminish-the frequency as well as horrors of such war, inasmuch as it will hold out much greater advantages to the de fending than to the attacking parties, and take from the aggressor in a great degree his hope ol success, and, of course, his motive for action. 1 can add nothing to what has been frequent ly urged in favor of a peace establishment for our navy” but must be permitted to state, what has often before been stated, that the compensation of our naval commanders our ships on foreign , stations is altogether inadequate to an honorable discharge of tneir duties. They are compelled to incur expenses beyond the amount of their pay and rations, or decline to receive and re turn civilities uniformly offered to them on such stations, and upon which our friendly relations with foreign nations, may, in some degree, de The course pursued by our officers, under such circumstances, has been such as national as well as professional pride have dictated, and of course, they frequently return from their tours of service deeply in debt; one evil consequence of a hich is, that it adds to the inducements of our officers, to prefer service on our home stations to service at sea: whereas the pecuniary consider ation should always be in favor of the sea ser vice. Much inconvenience frequently arises from a want of power to make transfers of materials purchased for the navy, under certain appropri ations, to the purposes of other appropriations under which they are more immediately want ed. A power to make such transfers, guarded by limitations, similar to those imposed upon the power of making transfers of money from certain appropriations to others, wodid save much time and expense in the building and re pairing our ships. , A . Under the act of the 30th of June last, for the better re-organization of the United States’ marine corps, the appointments of officers au thorized hy the same have been made; and the additional number of privates reuuired will be recruited with all convenient despatch. So much of the military regulations, for the discipline of the marine corps, as were in force at the passing of the act, and not inconsistent with the same, will continue in force until super seded by regulations which shall be prescribed in conformity with the provisions of the eighth section of that act. It is believed that the discipline and harmony of the officers and men of the navy proper, and of the marine corps, will be promoted by plac ing the marine barracks without the bounds of the different navy yards with which they may be connecter!. This arrangement would create but little additional expense to the Government. The marine barracks ut Portsmouth, should it be thought proper to retain them as such, are at a sufficient distance, and might be easily sepa rated from that part of the navy yard in which ships are built and repaired, and in which are placed the work shops and stores of that station. The marine barracks at Boston, are within the hounds of the navy yard, but so decayed and dilapidated as not to be worth repairing, and they occupy a space designated for another pur pose in the yard. A situation for barracks, suf ficiently near the yard, it is said, can be procur ed upon reasonable terms. The marine barracks at the navy yard at New York were condemned in 1826, as unworthy of repair. The officers attached to this station have been allowed house rent in lieu of quarters. An appropriation of $30,000 has been made for the erection of marine barracks at that station, and $6,000 for the purchase of a site for the same: but, as yet, the site has not been purchas ed, nor selected. At Philadelphia, the barracks are within the navy yard; but unfit for use as such. It will be necessary to construct new barracks at that sta tion. At Washington, the barracks are not within the navy yard. At Norfolk, the barracks are w’ithin the bounds of the navy yard, but inadequate to the accom modation of the force required there. Besides, they are much out of repair; and the command ing officer has been, necessarily, allowed house rent in lieu of quarters. At Pensacola, no permanent marine barracks have been prepared. The officers have been al lowed house rent, and the men have occupied temporary buildings. It is proper here to ob serve, that the plans of the navy yards, prepar ed and approved under the act for the gradual improvement of the navy, make no provision for barracks within the navy yards, except at Portsmouth. Under the first section of the act concerning naval pensions and the navy pension fund, pass ed the 30th of June last, fourteen pensions to widows have been renewed, and thirty-seven original pensions have been granted, in pursu ance of the provisions of that act. These con stitute a heavy charge upon the fund; and re quire for their payment, annually, the sum of 16,062 dollars. Under the second section of that act, the sum of $141,303 80 has been reimbursed to the fund for the cost of the stock of the Bank of Colum bia, heretofore purchased by the commissioners of the fund, with interest thereon, from the pe riod at which said bank ceased to pay inte rest, to the time of reimbursement $141,300 of the amount have been vested in the stock of the Bank of the United States, as authorized by the act of Congress of the 10th of July, 1833. The state of this fund willwppear oy documents an nexed, marked M, M 1, and M 2. The number of invalid pensioners is two hun dred and eighty-seven. Should all of them claim, which is improbable, the amo“£5 Io?Uir" ed for their annual payment will be 123,321. The number of widow pensioners, including those under the act of the 10th of June last, is one hundred and nine; and the amount requir ed for their annual payment is $24,023 mak ing the annual charge, according to the present pension roll, $47,254. From the account of stocks, heretofore an nexed, marked M, it will appear that the in come of the fund, arising from those stocks, and others to be purchased by excess of money on hand, will be about $70,000 per annum. It is believed, therefore, that the fund will be suffi cient for all the ascertained claims upon it, un der existing laws; and the surplus of next year, j which may be estimated at from $15,000 to $20,000, will, it is presumed, be enough to meet the ordinary increase of pensions for several years. Of the privateer pension fund, the act of Con gress of the 19th June last revived five years pensions to widows of officers, seamen, and marines, slain or lost on board of private arm 6d vessels. In twenty-eight cases brought to the notice of this department under this act, m<>re than nee years had elapsed from thedatewdien their former pensions expired. They being sustained by sa tisfactory proof, were settled in the office of the Fourth Auditor, and the accounts certified by the Second Comptroller of the Treasury. The amount to pay these accounts was $15.4S0. Un der the act, twenty-six pensions were renewed; of which, one expired on the 10th day of Octo ber last, and one on the 28th instant. One will expire on the 4th of March, four on the 1st of February, and nineteen on the 1st January, in the year 1835. The payments on these, to the 1st of July last, amounted to $11,995 20; and the sum required, to complete five years pension to each, will be $1,320 80. In addition to the above, there are thirty-four invalid pensioners on the roll; and the sum ne cessary to pay them will be $3,016 per annum. It will be seen in the annexed statement, mark ed No. 1, that the amount in the Treasury on the 1st instant, to the credit of the fund was Vi Stock owned by the fund (N) 15.56/ On Total, $16,828 51 After paying the claims that have as yet been preferred under the act of the 19th of June last, and it is believed that but few additional claims under the act can now be brought forward, it is estimated that the fund will be sufficient to pay, for four or five years, all the invalid pensions chargeable to it. From the statement annexed, marked O, it will appear that the amount to the credit of the navy hospital fund, on the 1st instant, was $35, 559 04. The income of the fund arising from deductions in the settlement of accounts in the Fourth Auditor’s Office, will be nearly $16,000 per annum. The expenditures for several years will probably not exceed $13,000 per annum. This will leave balances not wanted for current expenses. The propriety of authorizing, by law, the investment of such balances in some well secured productive stock, is respectfully suggested. By the statement hereunto annexed, marked P. it appears that, of the appropriation hereto fore made for the suppression of the slave trade, there remains in the treasury a balance of $14, 213 91. It is not believed that any further ap propriation for this purpose is necessary at this time. It will be perceived by the estimates, that no thing is asked on account of the contingent ex penses of the Secretary’s office of this depart ment. A proper degree of economy has ren dered any appropriation for those expenses, for the ensuing year, unnecessary. This circum stances affords me an apology for stating, that some of the officers connected with this depart ment do not receive an adequate compensation for their services. The chief clerk of the commi>sioners of the Navy Board, and the warrant clerk and the clerk keeping the register of correspondence of this department, perform arduous .duties, which re quire talent and experience. Their salaries re spectively are less than are paid in other depart ments for services of no greater difficulty and responsibility than their’s; and are inadequate to the decent support of themselves and families. An estimate for an increase oi $ 100 to the sa lary of the first, so as to make it $1,700 per an num; and of $400 to the latter, so as to make them $1,400 to each, is respectively submitted. The salaries of the chief clerks of the_ com mandants of the navy yards at Boston, New’ York, Washington, and Norfolk, are evidently below what may be considered a fair compen sation for their services. I therefore solicit a small increase of $150 to their salaries respec tively, so as to make them $900 each, as stated in the estimates. The superintendant of the south west executive building receives at present but $250. and the two watchmen for the same but $300 each per annum. It is respectfully recommended, that an increase of $250 be made to the salary of the superintendent, and of $200 to the salaries of each of the watchmen. In the report of my predecessor of the 30th of November last, an estimate of the expense of purchasing and maintaining a lithographic press was submitted, as a means of procuring charts and blank forms for this department, as well as for the several navy yards and Vessels in com mission, as also for the purpose of multiplying copies of drawings connected with the survey of the coast. As in my opinion, the employment of such a press would be a saving of time and money, in the duties now performed by the clerks and draftsmen in this department, and the bran ches of services connected w ith it, I respectful ly renew the application for the necessary ap propriation for this press; and annex hereto, co pies of the letters of the commissioners of the na vy board, and of Lieut. Charles Wilkes, jr. here tofore laid before Congress, in favor of this ap piivauuu. The charge of the coast survey, now under thesuperintence of Mr. Hassler, w’as on the 11th day of March last, transferred from the Treasu ry to the Navy Department, to which it was thought more properly to belong. I have found this arrangement very onerous, as it imposed upon me new duties, which could not be per formed without a careful examination of the ac counts of what had heretofore been done on the survey, contained in a voluminous correspon dence between the Treasury Department and the superintendent. This arrangement also caused a short interruption in the progress of the work; but which has. nevertheless, been prose cuted with diligence and zeal by those employed in it The report of Mr. Hassler of the 17th of May last, and his supplementary report of the Uth of last month, with the maps, drafts and sketches accompanying.the same, herewith transmitted, 9IIUVI lilt w wiivwu; ..— viw ... --- der the law of 1832, and its connexion with the progress made in the same in the year 1816. The situation of the base line on the south side of Long Island, has been most fortunately se lected; as any error in this line would be attend ed with corresponding errors in the whole work depending upon the same, the utmost care has been taken to have it measured with the great est possible accuracy. . From what has been done in this survey, we may reasonably hope that this important work will advance with all the aid which science, skill, and industry can give it, and in a manner as ho norable to the Government, under whose auspi ces it was begun, and has been continued, as it will be useful to the present and to future ages. The information wanted for accurate and de tailed estimates of the necessary appropriations for the continuance of the coast surveys, cannot easily be obtained until further experience shall enable the officers engaged in it to intro duce more system in the detail of duties and ex penditure in their work than they have hereto fore been able to do. The sum of thirty thousand dollars was ap propriated for this purpose the past year, and it is believed that an equal stun will be wanted fur the ensuing year, as stated in the estimates. Under the act of the 30th of June last, “au thorizing the Secretary of the .V* vy to make ex periments for the safety ol the steam engine, preparations have been made for testing certain proposed improvements in steam boilers; but no such experiments have been exhibited or com municated to this department, that could proper ly form the subject of a report. Since the last annual report from this depart ment, the Legislature of Pennsylvania have, by their act of the 10th day of April last, ceded to the United States the jurisdiction over the terri tory now in their po>session in the county of Philadelphia, and occupied for the purpose of a naval asylum for sick and disabled seamen, so long as the same shall he used by the Govern mentofthe United States for that purpose, with a reservation of the right to lay out a certain street called Sutherland Avenue, through the western part of said ceded territory; and with a proviso that all process, civil and criminal, of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania shall extend into and be effected within, such territory. The necessary references to papers and docu ments conneted with this report, will be found in a schedule hereunto annexed. I have the honor to be, VYTith great respect, Your ob’t humble serv’t. MAHLON DICKERSON. DRAWS TO-MORKO II Literature Lottery of the State of Delaware, Class 50, Tobedrawn at Wilmington, Del.on Thursday, December 11. HIGHEST PRIZE $5,000, 70 Capital Prizes of 3500! Ac. Ac. Tickets $2 50; halves 1 25; quarters 62$ cents. On sale in great variety by JAR. KIORDAK. C3* Uncurrent Notes and Foreign Gold pur chased. ___ DRAWS TO-MOKKO W Literature Lottery of the State of Delaware, Class No. 50 for 1831, To be drawn at Wilmington,Thursday, Dec. 11 HIGHEST PRIZE $5,000 70 Prizes of 500 DOLLARS! Ac. Ac. Tickets 32 50; halves l 25 quarters 62$ cents; For sale, as usual, in great variety, by JOS. HI* ILAItKF, (Sign of Che Flag nf Scarlet and Gold,) King st Alexandria, 1). C. DBA WS TO-MORROW Literature Lottery of the State ol Delaware, Class No. 50 for 1834, To be drawn *at Wilmington, Del. onThursday, December 11, HIGHEST PRIZE $5,000. 70 Capital Prizes of $500! Ac. Tickets’.$2 50; halves 1 25 quarters 62$ cents. To be had in a variety of numbers ol .1. W. VIOI.ETT, Lottery ano Exchange Broker, Near the corner of King and Fayette Streets, Alexandria. D. C. DR A IfVV TO-MORROW Literature Lottery ol the State of Delaware, Class No. 50, for 1834. To be drawn in Wilmington. Del. on Thursday December! 1. CAPITAL PRIZE $5,000, 70 Prizes of 500 Dollars each! Tickets$2 50; halves 1 25; quarters 62$ cents. To behad in a variety of numbers ol .1. I'OltSE. Lottery Exchange Broker. Alexandria. JAMES S. GUNNELL, M. D~ DENTIST, RESPECTFULLY informs the citizens and visitors of Alexandria that he may he con sulted at Mr. A. Newton’s Motel on the third Wednesday in every month, from 0 o’clock A. M. until 4 P. M. All letters addressed to Dr. G. at his Office, between the United States, Bank and the President’s Mouse, Washington City, or left at Mr. Newton’s Hotel, Alexandria, will be punctually attended to. jan 2—e Wed if our&mim ti'C. THE subscribers offer for sale flie following assortment of GENUINE A WELL SE LKCTED WINES, in casks anil cases:— L. P. Madeira, pule and red. Murdoc A Co. L. P. do do Newton, Gordon A Co. L. P. do Tinta. vintage of 1821 L. P. do Sercial, vintage of 1819 L. P. do Bual, do 1827 L. P. do Burgundy, do 1825 L. P. do East India, per Brahmin L. P. do Payne A Co. Gordon’s pure Grape Juice Superior Old Brown and Straw Coloured Sherry Wine, Woorthouse A Co. London. Choice Old Sherry, gold, pale and brown, Duff. Gordon A Co. Do Burgundy Port; do Dry Port, Hariis A Son Old Hock, Dry Lisbon, Canary and Smyrna St. Julian. Medoc and Montferrend Claret Hermitage and Sauterne Champaign, Taragona, Ac. Choice Old Brandy, Rum, Ac. Fine London Brown Stout, and Porter Pints and Quarts With a general assortment of GROCERIES, Ac. Ail of which will be sold on moderate terms. GUY ATKINSON A SON, dec 5—eotf Fairfax street, Alexandria. 1 ALEXANDRIA MUSEUM ! OPEN, daily, from 10 to 12 o’clock A. M. and < from 3 to 5 P. M. jan 2i ALEXANDRIA^ WEDNESDAY MORNING, DEtFiTio, iSlJ To the Voters of Fairfax:—We understand that the Van Buren system of secret instm( tions has penetrated your county, and tv a paper is now in circulation, ostensibly \ gainst the Bank of the United States k in reality, to instruct your Delegate to aidin2 immolation of Benjamin Watkins Leigh at the shrine of Van Buren-ism. Mr. Ball has leftiju county, and is now in Richmond. Is the cour* about to be pursued fair or proper? We put it to your Virginia feelings and principles—is t{lij movement what it ought to be? Answer-h indignantly refusing to lend yourselves to the use to which they seek to put you. Mr. Littleton Dennis Teackle, of Maryland has issued a plan for the establishment of aCur rency for the country, which, he says, has n>. ceived the approbation of Gen. Jackson! More of this hereafter. What is called the “Test Oath,” has been passed in the South Carolina House of Repr*. sentalives by a vote of 90 to 2S. The day ou which it passed was one of much interest, and the votes were taken amidst the most profound silence. Several members distinguished them selves by able speeches on the occasion. The author of “Guy Rivers,” who has alrea dy so honorably contributed to Carolinian lite rature, is engaged in the preparation of a new work of fiction, in two volumes, to be entitled “ The Ye mas see, a Romance of Carolina.'' || will, as its name imports, be an Indian Tale. Captain Sloan, of the brig Ann, at New York on Saturday, trom Mocha, reports that all the ports on the Arabian side of the Red Sea were blockaded by the Egyptian Squadron, and that an expedition was aboutsettmgout from Juddah for the purpose of conquering the country of Yeman. In consequence of this state of affairs, ail business was at a stand. The weather in the St. Lawrence, about a fortnight ago, was cold and stormy; and among the disasters to vessels was (he loss of the India tea ship Wm. Mooney, of 831 tons. _ C A N A L CON V ENT I ON. ~ TO THE EDITOR Or THE ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE. Baltimore, Dec. 8, h34. The Convention will be a very large and re spectable one, as, already, the Delegates from Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and the District of Colombia, are in pretty general attendance. The Hon. Mr. Horsey, of Md., was to-day called to the chair, and a committee appointed to select and recommend permanent officers for the Convention. The following gen tlemen were appointed by the chair to compose the Committee: Pennsylvania. Hon. Mr. Coulter, Mr. Irvin, Mr. Dunlap. Maryland. Mr. McCulloch, Mr. Sprigg, Judge Kilgour. Baltimore City. J. P. Kennedy, Joseph Todhuntcr, J. I. Cohen, Jr. Virginia. Hon. Mr. Mercer, Gen. Boyd Mr. Wilson. Ohio. Mr. Whittlesey, John Davenport, Jacob S. Schriver. District or Cou'XitA. Richard S. Cox, Clement Smiih, Bernard Hooe. The meeting then adjourned, to meet again to-morrow at 4 o’clock. ALEXANDRIA FREE SCHOOL. TO THE EDITOR OF THE ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE Some remarks were published, a little while ago, in the Gazette, respecting the Free School for Roys. 1 had hoped to have seen the subject more fully discussed.—Rut as no one has ap peared to take an interest in the matter propor tioned to its importance, 1 must beg leave to speak out again: and if I knew how to do so ef fectually without the aid of your paper, I would not trouble you at this time, when so many im portant public documents require to be spread before your readers. f 1 am informed that the Legacy of \\ ashing ton is lost, and 1 do not know that we have any other to depend upon. It is said, also, that Coun cil have no funds to spare for this object, their other expenses absorbing all the taxes and rent* They, of course, can only expend what their fellow citizens entrust to them; and I have no doubt they discharge their unrewarded and responsible duties with faithfulness, and a desire to promote the best interests of their fellow-citi zens. , - VVliat is to he donc7 That we greauy such a School, and that we ought, if possible, to have one. is, i believe, disputed by no man. on how to come at the matter is the difficulty-— Who will take the lend? You, Mr. Editor, ns'* pledged yourself to yoke in w ith the foremow in the business. Hut who of all our henf'1"*^ citizens will go foremost? I do not eo'et t - honor, even if I could he vain enough to tain myself competent to the task. My mot‘;e 1 calling public attention to this subject, is. on y to excite some one who is competent to un £ * take it. And I am authorised to say. that •* 1 is judged expedient to begin tnc School at in public expense, or if any individuals w ill it, and furnish the room and the fixtures. « » requisite, a gentleman of some leisure will icat the School gratis for six months. .. Congress is now in session—and it is thougn , by some, that they will grant us the means o educating the poor of the town. I have n doubt they ought to do if; and perhaps, upo proper application, they would. Who will ma that application, and give their attendance urge it upon the Committee on the District “J Have our Council appointed persons fort purpose—or will they do so? Please to 8ns*’ • somebody that knows And if you reply m positive, we are content—we shall be thank , and shall say no more. But if there is no a »wer, or a negative one, then it is respectiu y submitted to the Mayor to call a town meeting, for the purpose of appointing a judicious ton* mittee (or that purpose. , Mr. Editor, J have done. I have done my uu* y—urged by many of my fellow-citizens, ana ny own feelings; and, I may add, influence >nly by a desire for the prosperity and honor"! >ur town. An Alexandrian. Alexandria, (D. C.) Dec. 8, 1831.