Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-08-24

NJ. Sterling, V. lie II. d'Chaumont,
j. Buterheid, L. q. Chiltenden,
j. Foster, Il. LOOMS,
A. Ely, a. Whitney,
A. TIonbridge, p. Burshsrd,
g. Allen, w. S. Ely,
j. Nj. Garfield, A. Lawrence.
BROwNsvILLk, july 25, 1927.
GENTLEMEN: For the highly h.uering com T..
municaiIon wan which you have honorsd me,
tender you my warnesl thanks. OF such a tes,i
monial, coming from such a source, / cannot but
be proud, however much my. merits may have been
ovsiraed. The appreciation of my old fiiends
and fellow-czens of Jefferson county, is the
most grateful Offering l can possibly receiys
though their friendship Causes them TO bestow up
on me a greater share of praise than from nv
services am In reality entitled TO. No hing could
afford me greater pleasure than 10 meet around
the festive b ard those with whom was for q
long series of years in habits of constant and
friendly intercourse. Sach meeting could not
TAIL TO revive many pleasing recolieciions, and
produce IN me high excitement of all the social
and friendly feelings. 1t is this very excitement
however, which am compelled, most unwilling
~, TO avoid. The state OF my health is such.
that II would not be prudent In me to expose nv
self to its influence, aud thus, the very circum-
stances which would render a compliance with
your invitation most agreeable, ara those which
point out the necessity 1 under, of d-nyine
myself the qualification you offer. Though / de-
clne accepting the honor you wish to confer, do
not the less appreciate The motives by which You
have been actuated, and shall always refer 10
his mark OF your friendship one OF the happest
occurrences OF my lite.
You have in your lstter been pleased to refer to
the battle of Sscksii's HsTbrT, and al must den =
myself the pleasure of meeting you in the manner
you wish, wall avail myseli Of the opportunity
now afforded, which may possibly be the las,
shall ever enjoy, OF doing justice to those who
| fought with me on that Ito me at leasi) memo
| bic occasion. My report Of that action was made
under different feelings from those l now possess:
they were at that time most deeply wounded s. NOR
tined by The Transaction near Horse Island but sub.
seIuet experience " ell as ref lection has taun n,
me that undiscpned uDen al the hrsl ousent in battle
will thu demean themselves. When we Iecur TO all
that passed on that day. shall find that The militia
thus suddenly called into scIon, and opposed in the
open field by a veteran enemy, did as much a.
could reasonably have been expected from then,
Tor, broken and dispersed as they were they again
Tal'Itd and returned in inct eascd numbers 10 the
East side of The village to be cohnmanded-and
from that point were put in motion ruth a good
c0utenaHce, to close in upon the rear of the enc
my and seize his boats. Too much praise can ne
yer be given to the gallant BArkus, and the lit,Ie
band OF regular troops, who, for more than three
hours and half, nobly sustained the fortunes of
that day against foe superior in strength; but
heroic hose tlflTts were, success would not
have been certain, but for the movement OF The mis
iiiis 10 The rear OF the enemy Neither is that lit
lie bsp1 TO be rgotIOn, who, under McNht,
orsvely fought their way, with me TO the front line
OF B'ckus, where other Voiant GERS, animated bv
IFS example, incfsa,ed its ranks.
sm aware that this is a delicate subject to
touch but at this late day OF my life, can look TO
nothing but ts justice aud to truth.
Accept gentlemen. for yourselves and for the
citizens OF this county, assurances OF the great
friendship snd regard with which | am, your
sffectionste and Obliged servant. JAG. BROWN.
Nj. Sterling, &c.