|
The petition of your very humble servant respectfully sheweth:
That your humble petitioner Demetrius Augustine, Prince of Gallitzin, having come to the United States about seventeen years ago, solely with the intention of improving himself by traveling, and having, in obedience to the dictates of his parents, adopted the name of Augustine Smith, as they conceived that his name or title would or might expose him when traveling through this or other parts of the world to very considerable and useless expense. Your humble petitioner, having afterwards abandoned the idea of returning to his own country, and having, under his adopted name, Augustine Smith, by naturalization, become a citizen of the United States; finding, moreover, that his real name is known to a great many, which obliges him to make use of it on many occasions, and fearing that inconveniences, or, at least, trouble and uneasiness might arise to himself or others after him, with regard to the holding of real property or conveying of the same, etc., he, therefore, prays that your honorable body may enact a law to establish his name, Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin, so that he may, under that name, enjoy the same benefits and privileges to which he became entitled, by naturalization, under the name of Augustine Smith; and your humble petitioner, as in duty bound, will every pray.
DEMETRIUS AUGUSTINE (SMITH) GALLITZIN.
December 5, 1809.
This was referred, on the 16th, to a committee composed of Mr. McSherry, Mr. Bethel and Mr. Weiss, and an act was passed in compliance with the requests contained within it.
CAPTAIN M'GUIRE'S COMPANY.
In the late summer of 1814 word reached the remote districts of Pennsylvania that the British troops were advancing on Washington; the President (Madison) appointed a day of fasting and prayer; enlistments were made in haste, and the citizen soldiers hurried to the defence of the National Capital, arriving rather late in the day, however, for the English had already leisurely entered Washington, burnt, pillaged, and as leisurely left it.
|
