Literary cadet, and Saturday evening bulletin. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1826-1827, 1826-08-19

The following is letter from Mr. Clay to the
committee ofthe town of Winchester, who had in.
vited him to partake ofa public dinner TO he given
him in that place. The letter ofthe committee is
an eloquent one, and descants with marked sevcri.
y on the conduct ofthe opposition towards tho Sec-
retary ofState. The reply of Mr.. Clay is di.tin-
guished for its mildness, and for that spirit Of for.
bearance, which has ever signalzed the conduct Of
that gentleman. We have not room for the letter
which elected the answer.
LExINe eroN Gath July, 1926.
Gentlemen.-I have received, with lively emo.
tions Of gratitude, and hankuness, your affection.
ate note Of the 22d Instant expressing the friendly
congra tuIatons Of my fellow citizens Of Clarke and
Winchester, in consequence Of my recent return to
Kentucky, and inviting me to public dinner which
they propose on the 9th in st. Such nm honorable
testimony Of esteem and confidence emanating from
any portion Of the public, would be highly Crafty.
ing; but proceeding as it does from respectable
community, with many Of whose members have
been intimately associated, in public and private
life for more than quarter Of century, it has
value which no language can adequately express.
regret that the circumstances ofmy situation will
not allow me to accept the honor intended me. I
came home to see my relations and friends, but to
see them informally and without parade, TO transact
some private business, and to recover from the "a.
tigues Of laborious Office. Occurrences since I
left Washington oblige me 10 abrdge the time
which had hoped to abide in Kentucky, and I
must dedicate the small remnant to my private af.
fairs. trust that the people ofClarke and Win.
chester will be persuaded that in thus yielding to
the necessity which controls my movements, I shall
not be less mindful of the new and the old obiga.
tions under which they have placed me.
The administration Of the general government
has experienced, in some ofthe measures they have
proposed, degree Of opposition which could not
have been anticipated. take upon myself to as
sert with perfect truth, that those measures wero
the results of anxious desire to promote the pub
lie prosperity. Whether their actual tendency
will he good or bad must he decided by time and
the public judgment To these tests the most con-
fdent appeal is male.
thank the people Of Clarke county and Win1
chester for the sympathy aud interest which they
kindly feel in my behalf ! have borne my full
share of calumny and abuse but have enjoyed at
the same time, the consultations which ardent, en-
lightened and devoted friends and conscious recti.
tuJe must ever inspire. I defy nv accusers 10
point out in the Of the pre sent adminis-
traton, single deviation from those great princi-
pies Of national policy, of which have ever been
faithful, IL not an efficient supporter. II they
choose to arraign me for not hching myself TO the
Car ofa particular individual, plead guilty. The
invariabe principle ofmy public life has been earn
estly to enquire after and fearlessy to pursue what
appeared to me for the public good. In acting up
on it, have conhded in the just awards OF the pub
lic intelligence, deliberately pronounced. have
not been, nor shall be, deceived. Cbeered by the
snimatng encouragement which am happy to re-