Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-10-03

| .. ~, ana apprCDafton. But the most
iiiustr!ous witness was the President Of
/ Tue United States, whose presence seem
eu 10 stamp nations approval upon the
munificence of State Surrounded BIZ
'his assemblage, his Excellency present
| ed The sword with the following elegant
and pertinent address:
| Maj. Gen. ,Macona6,
| On the ed day of
October, 1914, the Legislature OF the State
| OF New-i York unanimously declared, for
/ your conduct II the battle of Flattsburuh
You were entitled to the gratitude of YOUR
country, and directed that YOU shoul,, be
presented with Sword.
| The Governor of New York has beeii
pleased TO assign 10 me the honorable ,lu-
| ~ OF conveying 10 you the sentiments or
the Legislature of that great and liberal
State, and OF presenting toyou this splen-
ana testimonial of their apprebation.--In
| the execution of this trust, feel that the
presence Of the Chief Magistrate of the
Republic, who, as reward for life of
exeriions IN the field and in the cabinet,
now repo8es upon the affections of his
countrymen and of the distinguished
oiIcer, who IN our second struggle for in
| dependence, bore his couniry's standard
to victory while il adds interest TO the
occasion, adds likewise TO the difficulty
| under which labor, of disc!iarging this
| DUTY IN manner worthy OF them, of the
subject, and OF the enlightened Lcgisla-
| lure, whose liberal patriotism furnished
| The opportunity for this address.
IN rejecting upon hesplendld military
achlevmenis, for which this trophy has
been awarded 10 you, we are led TO cousi-
der Inc situation OF our country a the e.
yenlful period of IFS accomplishments
Pressed bya powerful foe, With scatter
cd population, and with an c Extensive and
oe'enceiess frontier our enemies were
enabled By circumstances TO assail us
with Numerous and veteran armi,s. 1t
was al this period that tie brilliant sue
cession OF victories commenced, which
have acquired for our country honor and
prosperity, and for their authors imper-
ishabie renown. Among these, your re-
pulse ottle enemy from Flattsburgh, will
occupy one OF the fairest pages in histo-
ry. The Governor General Of the Cana
das, at the head of a powerful and we'll
appointed army, invaded our frontiers,
ana penetrated TO your position. The
disparity OF force lei 10 the most SAN
guine little room for hope Yonr works
were hastily thrown up, your troops sud
denly collected together, and he pros
pect OF relief distant az uncertain. But by
Tie most JudicIous arrangement, by the
most fortunate combination Of skiiiS and
valour, his prospects were DESTROYED, and
lie was defeated and driven back upon his
own territories.
But great as was the political impor-
lance of this victory 10 our country. IFS
| moral interest constitutes lis faiIest fca-
ture. Ii adds another 10 the number of
defensive victories, which demonstrate
| that tie energies and eXertions of renIlb
lies Increase as tie pressure of circum-
stances Increase upon them. Thus like
the kindred actions of antiquity, iIlunine
| the dark pages of history, it offers the
| consolng I, Election, that The superiority
; OF force IN the invasion of free countries
affords no hope for victory and that
ply steal strength must yieIdto moral m
| ergy. III is tins consideration hich cstab-
fishes the stability ofRepublcs, and this
lesson you have been enabled to teach
your cOuntrymen.
am happy, therefore, sir, in being a.
bic to communicate these sentiments of
| grateful country, and to present TO Won
tIiiS Testimonial OF It's appropriations Il
VIII be TO your descendants a memorial of
your services, when the actors in tl,e
scese stall have passed AWAY. But your
victory Will live in history as long as the
memory of gailan, exploits shall give con-
hdence TO The people, OF stability 10 re-
pubhCdn INSTITUTIONS.
To which Gen. Macomb made the fol-
lowing reply:
| SIR Overcome by the impressive man.
ner III which you have presented 10 me
THIS testimonial OF The appreciation ofmv
conduct ia the defence ofCPialisburgh. /
| am unable to expr, SIS all that my feeirps
! dictate. As the gill Ola muuiisent 81 en,,i,.
| emily patriotic State, it viii be Invaluable.
and having been presented and received
III tie presence OF The Chief Magistrate
OF our Republic, and Of the distinguished
commander olthe division, it will ever be
| preserved as one OF the proudest memo
rails OF my services.
! 10 you, SIR, Offer my thanks for the
| grateful mode of this presentation, and
fOryour fiatierlng expressions of indiyid-
ual respect and esteem.
| They were both spoken with an clo
| quent lmpr' sslveness VIII h reached the
heart OF every spectator.
After this ceremony, the President in
| spectcd the Barracks and IIospi,als. In
the latter his benevolent FEELINGS vnre
frequently called into action, and always
| expressed with unaffected tenderness and
! sincerity. A veteran and DISCHARGED
Soldier who has long ">wept DER Lis
wounds, was particularly noticed by him
ana received assurance of continued
kindness and support These are traits
which truly ennOble great man when
be bends down from the concerns # ,,s-
lions to sympathlse in the affection of
an humble individual he exhibits a nat
tern worthy Tie imitation of kings, and
the admiration Of mankind. There IA
| -.