The Sun.
London, England, 1823-02-27 00:00:00

ANSWER.

----
GrYTLEMEN,.—It is for the first time, I believe, that it has
been the good fortune of any individual, under similar circum-
stances, to receive from the great mercantile body of the Ctty
of London the honour that has been conferred upon me, by this
most gratifying Address; gratifying, not less from the senti-
ments it conveys, than from the manner in which the commu-
nication hue been made to me.
' If you do justice to the emotions which the sense of such
an honour, and from . such a body, cannot fail to excite
in a mind not dead to every feeling of honest pride, how
hopeless would be on my part the attempt to find language
capable of givint.; expression to what I feel at the present mo-
ment. 1 will, therefore, simply assure you, that I thank you
from my heart for Allis inestimable testimony of your regard,
and that! receive from you with the profoundest sentiments of
respect and gratitude this highest distinction to which a public
roan in a free country can aspire, the spontaneous acknowledge-
ment of his services by a body of his countrymen, not only
most important in its intimate relation to the national wealth
and prosperity, but at the same time best qualified to appreciate
theservices it has condescended to approve.
Thankful us I am, 1 retain, however, too just an estimate of
the limited extent of my own powers to presume, that any, pos-
sible exertion of them could entitle tne to a distinction so un.,
exampled. Much, I must be conscious, is due to the partiality
with which my efforts have been viewed ; much mere to the
phrposes to which they were directed, and the principles which
.governed them ; and, most of all, to the results they were in-
tended to obtain. If any differences of opinion have existed in
respect to the measures of which I have been the advocate, I
heve the happiness to see before me a convincing proof that the
candour of those who differed from me has never denied to my
motives the most favourable interpretation. To relieve the
shipping of the country from every vexatious and unnecessary
aimplify, consolidate, and improve, the laws by
which our navigation has been regulated,--to.giver additional
freedom to our intercourse with Foreign States,—to reoommend
a system of trade more adapted to the age in which we live, and the enlightened and liberal principles' that characterize it, freed
feotti the antiquated prejudices that made us view with jealous
apprehension the industry and progress of other nations, and
unincumbered by the shackles and restrictions those prejudices
had. imposed,--to open wide our ports for the admission and
transit of the productions of every country,—to render this island
then universal emporium of trade, and to see the City of London
f
oet_only the metropolis of the first Commercial Kingdom, but
the Commercial world itself,—have been the objects, for sonic
years, to which the hopes and labours of my public life have
the
constantly devoted ; objects of which, through the known
the tecnn of his Majesty's Government, and the wisdom of
shalt jr,iiruer:, I trust, under the blessing of Providence, we
s the accomplishment. If this should tie pity
anberadcaligiezeeda--hittfinibsihall have been 'fortunate enough to be in
the eoneciousnen
°f el Instrument in the success of such a work,
Parity of the countryl,avaientgi,fulffiled my duty, the certain pros.
Gentlemen, the grateful retnem-
b,relllntnc°sfoitithet "day, 1 shall feel to be rewards far beyond any
uttnott wish-eP4ssess' and more than sufficient to nasty
reasonable ambition could cherish. The
Assuraneet of this feeling 1 trust will be accepted by you as the
beet Aedkti.l Cal?
a a offer that my zeal will never be remitted,
been,pl.l,lle7t-ot the duty iniposed on me by the wish yoti have
to express 'is lett unperformed, and while it is in
Nn'itYvPaioatvteitize in arly_way to contribute to the advancement of our
the., aim uommeree, to which may he traced so much of
Kreataustngs !bleb, as a people, we enjoy—our wealth—our •
lurrotr.,f.--OUT maritime power—our exalted station amongst
tuia.th':Tlil nations, evert of the liberty of this country itself;
*his means by whiob 'we have been enabled to bear so glo-
ktid
..)tert in re-establishing, I hope permanently, the freedom
tee,,,7leridence of Europe. Allow me to trespass one nut-
gatitilitter aq ynur attention, to express my particular obli-•
tendin:2olll Gentlemen, who have done toe the honour of at-
kindego'ol7;,tills oceation; and to assure you that your personal
l'Hute 46 IV r' e, COUSAMting to form this Deputation, has
:0 Olt I,oo,lpreatton uporemy mind that will remain unaltered
gain' of my life.