The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1814-11-04
RALEIcE, IN. e. Oct. 81.

The politeness of his EXcellency Governor
Hawkins, has enabled the editor to crafty
As he is sure it will. his readers with the
4oiiowmg copy OF a letter from Colonel
D'Liam Polk The character, public SER
wees and standing of the veteran who thus
steps forward In the common cause, hap
puy render 1t unnecessary to employ time IN
stating the value of the offer he has made
81 an early period OF the war, it will be
remembered, the appointment of Briga-
der General, in tie United States army
was conferred ON Colonel Polk. This he
declined accepting Now, however, that
the grounds the war have changed, he is
found among the first to step forward in its
support.
RALEIGH, Oct. 18th, 1871.
SlR-lt is known to you that at an early
period of the present war with Great Britain,
was appointed to AN high and honorable
com nnand in tue Army of the U. s. IT, is also
within your knowledge as well rs that of ma
ny other of my fe,iov-citizers, the reasons
which influenced NE IN non-acceptance Of
that appointment
Having discharged no small portion of that
duty which every Citizen owes to his Country,
IN service OF seven years in the Revolutions
~ Army having subSeg lenty performed
the duties Of laborious Office under the Gene
raj Government being somewhat advanced
IN life, the FIRE of youth, and with it, ambition,
having ceased to exist had determined
some time past not again to engage in pub
lie employment, and particularly in the Army
--iong since having known, that to avoid slam
der and the reproaches of bad and ambitious
men. was to lie unobserved and thar to en-
Joy peaceful repose was to be>a private citizen.
his determination would have been scrupu-
icIsiy and firmly adhered to- had-I not seen
the degrading conditions demanded By the
British commissioners, from the American
Government, as 20 the price of peacc--contli-
t,ons IS new as they arc huniiliating, inadmis-
si6le under circumstances far more perilous
than the present and such as no American
ought TO suGcunb 70. Aud whilst those terms
are contcnded for ard made the S;nie qua non
to az adjustment of our differences hesitate
not to declare my intention 10 Unite with and
support The Government III such a system as
shall compel the enemy 90 respect our rights
snd bring the war co an honorable terniina-
ton. In making this declaration it is not how
ever 60 De understood shat IL : ;ivowe,i causes
for the war or the manner in which 1t has been
conducted have ever met my APPRECIATION
My objections are well known, and IN this
communication it is unnecessary, if not impro-
per, 70 state them. The crisis has arrived
whea It would be useless to enquire what
were the causes or VINO were the authors Of
the niistortunes which have overtaken the
Country. y IS enough to know that disAonoy-
o5Ie conditions have been demanded and that
1rnSc7 does exist. u now behcves US % shew
70 the world that there's irnness enough in
the Nation to reject the one, and spirit suffi-
Gent To sseek the other.
With these sentiments offer to your Ex-
cclleicy my services, inefficient as they are,
with a hope that you will EN- ,,loy them in that
situation wherein you may deem them most
useful.
With sentiments cfmuch respect, am your
most c5edient servant,
WILLIAM POLK.
His Excellency VIM HAWKINS.
Gover',ov of North Carolina.