Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1831-04-07
Committee.

NonroLK. March 18th. 1881.
Gentlemen: have this moment received your let
ter OF the 26;h inst inviting me to par:ake ofa pub
lick dinner to be given III Richmond, by number of
the Members OF the present General Assembly and
Cn.z"ns o. Richmond, at such time will suit NV
convenience; and'n compliance with your request I
immediately answer 1t. hope need say to
any of you, Gentlemen. that il will rive me niue
pleasure, at all times, meet you and any others OF
the Members o! the General Assembly, or Of my
friends Of the city of Richmond. upon any ordinary
occ1sion, when may freely interchange our
friendly greetings and sautations and frankly COM
nunicate 10 each other our Thoughts and opinions
upon aEy and every subject But / hope you will
excuse me for declining to accep, invitation to a
public dinner. altho' 1t is proposed 10 be given by
even such persons.
will not affect ignorance Of tho kind and GEM
rous feelings that have prompted some of my coun-
trymen IN offer me- and through you 100. lin whom
recognize much valued friends) this testimonial Of
their regard and esteem and undimnished conf
dence. Believe me these feelings properly ap-
preciated by me They speak directly to nv heart
and inspire such gratitude as may not attempt TO
express. You must pardon me however, for sug-
gesting. that these feelings and the by which
they arc produced constitute Of themselves strong
objection to our meeting at this time upon any
such occasion as that to which you invite me-
Public dinners, given to public men, in seasons
Of high party excitement, not well calculated
10 swcet-n the natural acerbty OF purly feeling
Many are the canses of agitation Mt this time which
we ought TO hope may bn but accidental and tempo
rary. For my own part. will not abandon this
hope until ! am constrained 10 do so. While il ye
fingers with me, wish not TO fan the fame Of dscon-
tent further than my duty may require. should find
difficult perhaps impossible o AVOID this was TO
comply with your kind request now Therefore,
gam pray you, TO excuse me yourselves. and to make
my excuse acceptable to those by whom you have
been dPputed for declining his invitation.
Each of you, who know well, will perfectly
understand the single motive that dictates this nm
gracious refusal Of your proforred kindness. To
others. with whose acquaintance not honoured,
beg Of you 10 say. thai am truly sensible Of their
kind and generous regard, which has induced them
to Offer me this proof Of their favourable Consi2c-
ration and APPRECIATION, at This particular iuncture
IT / nPede} any stmulant TO urge me on IN the
strait forward path Of my duty. should find It in
this Dnt az a representative Of Virginia, can
never forget wha, il duo TO her; and vii! ever
strive to maintain her rights and interests IN sri-
wing to maintain the Federal Constitution, such
"sks nothing raorc; snd will not be content with my
thing less than this
am very respectfully. Gentlemen, your mo.
obdt. seryt. LITT'N w. TAZEWELL.
Messrg. Il w Glmpr. WIN. o. Goodc, Thos Mil
Ter, p: Williams Jf. p. w. Leigh, r. Vcna-
bic, J. Lyons
GLOUCESTER. April 3. 1881.
Gentlemen: Your letter bearing the date and post
mark OF the goth March, conveying TO on be-
half Of number Of the members Of tho present Gen
efa Assembly and citizens OF Richmond, an invita-.
ton IN partakc of public dinner TO be given IN
Richmond. OF such time would suit my convent
eDce, did not reach me until last evening; circum
stance winch the moro regret az you express SOL
chhde for an early answer.-P Proceeding docs
tuu Of nd ~ vol