Whole No. 20 j. Ten-borough, Edgecombe County, X. C. Friday, July 25, iS2S. Vol IV. No. 49. THE "FREE PRESS," ?y Geo. Howard, js published weekly, (every Friday,) at 00 DOLLARS per year, (or 52 mi in ters,) if Puld wilhin one month after Sub-,-ribers commence receiving their papers Dolors & Fifty Cents, if paid within six months and Three Dollars at the expi ation of the year. Subscribers at liberty to continue at any time on paying arrears. X?:-j Subscribers residing at a distance must invariably pay advance, or give a respon sible reference in this vicinity. No subscrip iion discontinued unless a notification to that Iffcct is given. Ailverticments not exceeding 16 lines will De inserted at 50 cents the fir3t insertion, and 25 cents each continuance. Longer ones at hat rate for every 16 lines. Letters addressed to the Editor must be t:st paid. ofs; let its surate with time. n 'is duration commen- 6. The Continental Con Three Cheers. W.g- of the vi,,uous, ,he S X"ffi ZZ ne are embalmed m the hearts of their countrymen. Fhree Cheers. e is silence." Communications'. FOR THE FREE PRESS. The Celebration of the fifty third Anniversary of American Independence at Halifax, N.C. The citizens of Halifax and its vi cinity, united in celebration of the! day, which gave birth to their j freedom as a nation, their happi ness as a people. The day was ushered in bv the discharge of ar :i!!ery lrom dawn to sunrise at 7 o'clock, the military paraded end went through various evolu tions, as street-firing, Sec. &c. At 10 o'clock, the citizens of the town and its vicinity, assembled at Academy Square, where a pro cession was formed, and thence proceeded to St. Mark's church. 1 he ceremonies at the church were introduced with an appro priate prayer, by the Rev. Sidney WdUr after which, Edmund B. Freeman, Esq. in an impressive and forcible manner, read the De claration of American Indepen dence: the instrument which re called our wrongs and led to the redress of our grievances. This was succeeded by a pertinent and eloquent Oration, by Jesse A. By win, Esq. a copy of which, at the request of the Committee of Ar rangement, was furnished for pub lication. During the ceremonies at the church, appropriate music was interspersed, bv a band of amateurs, giving zest to the occa sion. At 2 o'clock, the company sat down to an excellent dinner, prepared by Col. Jesse II. Sim "ions, where the following toasts were drunk, accompanied by pa rotic songs, glees, Sec... Edmund h- Irceman, Esq. acting as Pre sent of the Day, and Col. Spier Whitakcr as Vice-President. REGULAR TOASTS. The Day: May each return of it, us in the continued enjoyment of freedom, Peace and Prosperity. Three Cheers. 2- Washington. Drank Standing. 3" 'Me Declaration of Indepen dence: A Terrific instrument to kings Sfl(i tyrants; it breathes forth the lan huJ5e of a nation resolved to be free or l'e,'ish in its cause. Three Cheers. 4- The President of the U. States Qnd Heads of Departments. Thrpp Cheers. , 5- The Constitution of the United ytuics: I he palladium of American 'lom, achieved by the blood of pairi- 7. La Fayette: "The eloquence of -ratitud ,nrl ,rJ ; u i V i reeaom: emancipates the mind !?ftnVhe? without it no nation can be truly wise or truly great. o tu t r. . Three Cheers. D. The Governor of the State of North-Carolina. in iv rr Three Cheers. 10. J he University at Chapel-Hill: Rome, from her seven hills, boasted the diffusion of knowledge and power; from the hill ju,t named, North-Carolina and many of her sister States, have seen and felt the rays of science and use lul knowledge. m, ,. - , Five Cheers. 11. I he Navy of the bailed States: Its "stripes and stars are known and respected in every sea. Five Cheers. 1 2. The J udiciary of North-Carolina : "May it uphold the laws, and keep them ever, "Above the proud man's violence, and within "The pour man's reach." Five Cheers. 13. The American Fain Here all language fails. "Come then expressive silence muse their praise." Before proceeding to the volunteer toasts which were given, it is deemed proper to advert to the fact, that the Hon. John Branch and the Hon. Willis Alston were invited guests upon this occa sion. The following letter was addressed to each of the above named gentlemen. Halifax, July 1, IS28. SIR: A manifestation of respect for the character of public men, who have devoted their time and talents to the service of their country, is an essential means in sustaining the public wel fare. In accordance w ith this sentiment, you are respectfully in vited by the citizens of Halifax, to participate with them in the proposed Celebration of their country's natal day on the ensuing occasion. With much respect, 2kc. 1 have the honor to be your obt. sent. I). C. FENNER, Chairman, &c. To which the following replies were received: Enfield, July 2, 1S28. GENTLEMEN: I have had the honor to receive the invita tion of the citizens of Halifax, to participate with them in the Ce lebration of the approaching Anniversary of American Indepen dence. With feelings which every generous bosom can better imagine than I can describe, I cheerfully and with pleasure accept. Trulv and unfeiguedly yours, &c. JOHN BRANCH. To D. C. FENNER, Esq. Ch'n of the Com. of Arrangement. Buttcrwood, July 2, 1S28. SIR: I accept with pleasure your polite invitation in behalf of the Committee ol Arrangement lor ceieoraung me 4tn oi juiy, by the citizens of Halifax, ror this additional mart ot tiie po liteness and attention of my fellow citizens, please accept for them my sincere regard and esteem; and for yourself the same, for the polite manner in which vou have communicated their wish. 1 ' WILLIS ALSTON. To D. C. FENNER, Esq. Ch'n of the Com. of Arrangement. VOLUNTEERS. By J. A. Bynum, Esq. Our esteemed guest and distin guished fellow citizen, the Hon. John Branch: we most highly appreciate the devotion of his time and talents in the service of his country. A7e Cheers. On the annunciation of this toast, Mr. Hranch addressed the company at some length wc will perhaps be enabled to insert his remarks in our next paper, as well as those ot Mr. Alston, utter ed subsequent to the following toast. ,.. 41 By Dr. A. S. II. Barges. The Hon. Willis Alston, the Representative of our district in Congress: His services have been long and valuable, we greet him as an acceptable and highly respected guest. By E.'B. Freeman, Esq. The TanO: a policy to en rich a few at the expence of many every opposition to it, not inconsistent with the duties of a good citizen. By Geo. E. Sprwll, Esq. North-Carolina: the first to promulgate to the world a Declaration of Independence may she be the last to surrender the glorious truths which it EDM. A:Willcox. The Hon. Nathaniel Macon, the American Phocion: His occupation the plough, his prin ciples identified with the Constitution. By Mr. Robert Martin, of Rockingham. The great men of the nation: public properly a cables length from shore to all detractors. Bv tVm E. IVcbb, Esq. The citizens of the ancient unty and corporation of Halifax: May they as heretofore, always be distinguished for liberality oi senumeni anu ur banity of manners. By Dr. R. S. Slubbs. The Presidency: magnum po nuli donum let it not be perverted. By Mr. B.F. Ilalsey. Gen. Andrew Jackson: a sol dier in war, in peace a statesman. Bv R. A. Jones, Esq. The memory of Thomas Jefferson- ma V his monument be the eternal duration of those free principles so ably expressed by him in the Declaration of Independence. By Col. J. H. Simmons. Mav th snint nf 7rt W the wisdom of '87, be felt and enjoyed by us and posterity unui time snail De no more. By Dr. R? II. Wilson. Agriculture, Commerce, and Maufactures: the three great sources of national prosperity freedom to all, shackles to none. By A. A. B. Slith, Esq. Gen. Andrew Jackson: may he continue to maintain the esteem he now holds in the breast of very true American. By J. L. Simmons, Esq. The Hon. John M'Lean Postmaster General: faithful and indefatigable in the dis charge of his duties. : By J. L. Noble. Esq. of Petersburg. Va. G en. Andrp.w Jackson: to whom the people of the United States owe a ueoi oi gratitude, but Uod torbid that the debt should be paid by placing him at the head of the nation. By Geo. R. Reese, Esq. Gen. Andrew Jackson: when brass and marble shall have mouldered into dust, the re membrance of his virtues, passing in proud review to re motest ages, will endure forever. The interest of the ceremony was much enhan ced in consequence of the citizens uniting in pro cession of the "Halifax Philodomick Association," dressed in appropriate badges. The order of ar rangement) as respects the procession, manage ment of the military, &c. &c. was conducted by Col. D. C. Fenner, Marshal of the Day. The ut most harmony and hilarity prevailed, and the eve ning gun sounded when all was mirth, all was peace, and all was gladness. Halifax, July 6, 182S. SIR: A wish having been expressed by a large portion of the citizens of Halifax and its vicinity, that your Oration on the late Anniversary occasion should be published: In consideration of which I have addressed you this note, with a request that you furnish us with a copy for publication. I have the honor to be, &c. D. C. FENNER, Qiairman of the Committee of Arrangement. J. A. BYNUM Esq. Halifax, July 8, 1S28. SIR: I received yours of the 6th inst. requesting a copy of the remarks delivered by me on the fifty-third Anniversary of our National Independence, with an intent to publish them. Altho they were not originally intended for publication, I feel it my duty to comply with your request in behalf of the citizens of Halifax; and its vicinity, and herewith enclose you a copy of the same., Most respectfully your obt. servt. J. A. BYNUM. Col. D. C. FENNER, Ch'n of the Com. of Arrangement. ORATION. Fe llow-Citizens: The fifty-second year has passed away since the promulgation of our National Independence to the kingdoms of the earth; during which time, we have enjoy ed all the blessings of liberty, "in the full tide of successful experiments" the Anniversary of that glorious event, we have this day convened to celebrate. Nor is it with a delu sive hope of doing justice to the subject, that I rise to com ment on the transactions, which followed in quick succes sion, that eventful period. No! Fellow-citizens: No pen can paint, no language can describe, no tongue can tell, the various difficulties, persecutions and oppressions, experienced by our stern and invincible ancestors, in accomplishing the great work of Freedom. But befo re we proceed further, permit me to call your at tention to some few of the causes, which induced our fore fathers to separate from the mother country, and to assume the attitude of Freedom, amongst the nations of the earth. Great Britain, the hive from which our colonial prede cessors had emigrated, became intoxicated with her own power inflated with the vastness of her own dominion forgetful of the obligations due by the governors, to the governed, passed repeated acts, by her parliament, totally repugnant to every principle of justice, of liberty and equa lity, and without the consent of the American people, upon whom they were to operate; and in the teeth of every prin ciple of right, pertinaciously persisted in her efforts to force to submission those whom she could not overcome by her paralogical arguments. She passed her stamp act without the consent of the provinces, and incompatible with their claims to the liber lies of Englishmen, as defined and pledged by the British Constitution. Her revenue acts, her restraining acts, her starving acts her Boston port acts, and acts for disfranchis ing our legislatures, were equally obnoxious, tyrannical and oppressive. Not content with these usurpations, she passed laws to, and actually did, quarter ten thousand troops of standing ar mies amongst us, to tyrannise over our peaceable citizens; to compel us, at an enormous expense, to support those fo reign mercenaries, to hold our brethren in subjection. "She seized on our commerce, and burnt our towns; with held from us the trial by jury, and for frivolous offences dragged our citizens beyond the seas, to be tried." She de nied to us the right of representation, and claimed to herself the right of taxation, and voted away our Charters and our property, under the idea of the supreme authority of British