Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-10-02
Ma. CLAY.

Mr. CLAY having arrived at the residence Of
his old friend Judge Brooke, the committee ap.
pointed by the citizens OF Fredericksburg wait,
ed upon him, and pressed his acceptance of
Public Dinner as testimony Of respect for his
person and services. The Committee close
their note in the following handsome terms.
Having thus discharged duty, than which
none more acceptable could have been drvolved
on US, permit US to assure you OF the indignation
with which, we have viewed The unjust, cruel,
and relentless persecution Of which you have
been for years the object, and Of our admiration
Of that gallanlry-,he result OF conscious limo,
cence-wilh which you have on every occasion
indicated your fair fame. Our sensiblity to
these charges, has not been essened By the re,
Hrc,ion that Virginia claims you as her son.
We shall never cease 10 feel an allowable pride
that our state gave birth to one, whose eyer.
tons for the honor and welfare of his country.
have been equaled only by his devotion to the
cause of freedom all over the worlG.
With our bes, wishes tor your health & han,
piness we are sir your friends and fellow chi;
Zens.
John S Wexford, VIM. Browne, WIN. N
h'a' nsoip ", ituSh HiSiSCI u ~. " tllIrfQ, w
Dunbar, VIM. c. BeaIe, Alex. +. Rose. Jcrr
miah Morton, Thos. b. Barton.
10 this Nm. CLAY replied as follows.
81. Julien, 18Th September, 1928
Gentlemen: hasten 10 acknowledge the rrcrin,
u your letter OF this dav addressed 10 me in be
half of number Of my fellow citizens of Ere,
dericksburg, Falmouth and their yicnirirs, ex
pressing their wish IL embrace the opuurupj.
ty Of pei sonal intercourse afforded by my ARR.
val in their neighborhood, and rendering to me
The honor OF public Dinner. Intending to be
in Fredericksburg to morrow, ! Shall be ex.
tremely happy 10 avail yself Of that occasion
TO mix, in friendly intercourse, with any Dor.
ton Of my fellow citizens who may desire to
see me- but regret very ruch that the tenn
porarv restrictions 10 which, during my pre-,
sent journey, have subjected myself, will not
permit me to be present at the public entertain.
ment the p oposal Of which has been prompted
by hospitality and friendship. From the mo.
ment that was constrained to decline accent.
ing a similar testimony Of RESPECT, offered By
my late Congressional constituents, 10 whom
more than TO any others am ! indebted for sig.
nal iaVors, perse'ering attachment, and un.
bounded confidence, have not felt at liberty,
however penetrated with gratitude, 10 deviae
from the resolution which then announced
pray you, gentlemen, to convey to my fellow
citizens, whom you represent, my warm &C,
acknowledgements, and 10 make acceptable 10
them the decision which now communicate.
The generous indignation which you express
on account Of the continued and relentless per.
secution Of which have been so long the OBJ
ject is as worthy Of your hearts as il is CRATE
ful 10 mine. 1t would have beeu felt If had
been an alien to Virginia, unconnec.ed with
you blythe tie OF common origin. 1t is not less
due because | am one Of her humble sons The
satisfaction which have ever derived, from
the relation in which stand to her, has sprung
from knowledge OF her chivalrous character
from the ilustrious names which have Adorned
her history. and, above all, from her noble ex-
crions in the establishment Of free institutions
and in the cause Of civil liberty.
Accept, gentlemen, NV thanks for your kind
attentions and by best wishes for your indivda
al prosperity
am cordially, YOUR
friend and fellow citizen, II. CLAY