Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-12-06
DONS ESTEC.
PRESENTATION OF THE FREEDOM OF THE
CITY TO MARTIN VAN buren,

an.
us'rlonS fellow citizen, the coca ion of his resi-.
The executive chair OF the state to accept place in h
national councils Circumstances prevented an earlier
lu'hneh' OF heir purpose Cards OF admission ere m
merousy distributed, aud at the hour appointed slsn
Hiu company we've assembled in the hail OF the onmtr
council comprising great number OF ladies' and many
OF our most dising uished citizens. Among the latter
observe Judge Marcy the Governor elect MIR Rivos
late Minister TO France, Mr.. Dudley o. & senator ,ro,
nus state The tore ign iii lomac agents residing i'm this
CITY the Judges OF the several courts our members OF
Congress, &c &c The Mayor having stated the object
Tor when they we're assembled directed the chairman OF
The committee, Alderman Cobra To read the resolutions ot
TIE toad OF Aldermen tnder which the cce,liuys
were held Ihey were as iollows:--
BOARD or ALDERMEN, March %, 1929
Alderman Cehra presented the following resolution in
relation the freedom OF ,hc ely TO the Ia, norabI Mar
un Van Buren,:
Whereas, The great and fundamen al principle of the
compact forming The Union these nted States is thai
he individual members thereof wien called on shall he
ever ready 10 lend their eli her i'm war or i'm
council IN support OF those sacred principles OF civil ber
~ which We enjoy aLd hope and believe is or high
dc suny in this happy land to continue eoy Imp ess-
ru WIN drep SeSse o this truth, tho Common Council
the cry oil New York, while they deeply deporr te
cesSy winch Calls on TIE state surrender the ma
oha rouhcls, one OF her brightest sons cannot but
view wih pride and exulIaon The pa'lio SIN and pubic
sPlt which have actuaed him the acceptance OF those
arduous and responsible duties Tor the public good ,nd
pure republican principles which have uniformly marked
me political course OF their fellow citizen, the honorable
hl"rlh van buren,, they deem the present momcn, of
heir separation from him. proper occasion Tor the ex
preston oil these sentiments oil respect and attachment
ResoiUed That copy hereof together with tbe Froo.
dom OF the City, be presented TO the Honoursbe NIartin
ian buren, as testimony of the respect end esteem
which the people OF the city of New York entertain lor
his private worth aud public services
ReSo'ced That his Honor the Mayor do carry the fore.
going resolution into effect. J MORTON
The Mayor then, supported either side by the mem
6ers OF the committee and OF the Common Council adj
dressed Mr.; van Burenin he following Terms:
SIR-Tbe corporation OF New York is this day special
~ convened TO confer upon you he freedom Of The citv
in uhlmen OF resolution which W AZ PASSED on the 2
day OF March, 1929 1T is designed as ga testimonial of
he respect aud esteem which the people of the civ of
New york. entertain tor your private wor and pubic
services In embracing the first occasion which ha.
oiered itself OF presenting you, in the accus ON
lon, hls token o. puLlic regasiA lf INA ION Ji YOUR
charac aud conduct.
Permit me, Sir 10 add that the duty assigned TO me OIL
this occasion is performed with mingled feelings OF pride
and pleasure--whie admit you to the privileges of
freeman of our city, eXult i'll the reflection that this
mark OF respect is bestowed upon native citizen Of
our own State. Ii is not ELECTED by single brilliant
pIo il founded upon the fame OF distant services 1t
is one oil the rewards OF life of continued virtue and use
ulnes most OF which has been passed witno mInedi
ate view and in the benefits OF which we have largely par
ucpaed The eyes OF many OF those whom represent
have been upon you from your youth up-hcy have been
anxious and attentive observers OF your progress from
earliest development of those talents which they now
behold in full and rich expansion In the councils of the
state and of the nation, home and abroad YOU have dis
tnguishcd yourself in all the numerous offices which you
have been called upon to I'LL The faithful and honest dis
ID
position and de'racion You have had 10 encounter the
persecution OF enemies and The treachery Of friends; but
your uprgneSs, your wisdom and courage, have
you in triumph through every conflict. The power
fu intellect, unrng industry, and devoted patriotism,
have characterised you every situation constituting at
your glory aud your strength During the whole of
your career diversified it has BEEN single event
has occurred TO div Tor moment, the usrc of rrpu-
taton, which has been constantly increasing hess
from the earliest period OF your political life to The present
hour.
In rendering you the freedom of the city, proof
OF the sentiments which excited in the breasts your
fellow citizens by retrospect of your past character and
services, allow TO accompany it with the expression
iervcnt hope that your future life may be prosperous
that which already spent and that the talents and vir-
tues which we now admire may long continue to disn-
guish yourself and benefit the community.
Loud and continued applause followed the expression
the sentiments contained in this address. Mr.. Van Blu
rem who stood between Mr. Rvcs and Mr.. Canbreleng,
replied follows
Mr.. MAYoR-Accep Sir, for YOURSELF your associates
in Council and your constituents my sincere thanks
the honor you about to confer upon and which you
have the goodness to say is designed tribute of the
respect and esteem which the people of the city of New
York entertain for my private worth and public services
IT any thing could increase the qualification derive from
compliment truly attering, would be found in the
motives which have been assigned for IT, and in the kind
manner in which you have stated them. compelled,
however, by sincerity, declare YOU that this graui-
cation is mingled with small degree Of pain, resulting
from conscious inability to make suitable return for so
much Kindness. can only tender you my simple but
sincere assurances, that the very favorable opinion which
for yourself and your associates you have been pleased
express OF my conduct and character has sunk deep
my heart where it will be gratefully rccollected, oge
with The various other manifestations of friendship have
heretofore, and am daily receiving from my fellow citizens
Of New York.
Such token of regard and appreciation, received from
any portion of community, might well have excited
strong emotions of gratitude; but it comes TO me with the
highest claims upon this sentiment when consider
spontaneous gift from the City of NetC York This city,
sir, already great and nourshiug is OF Just
PRIDE not only to the State but 10 the Union, and
ny account well entitled TO the favorable consideration OF
boh and permit me, in justice TO myself TO add that the
time has never been, when any that calcu.
lated to promote IFS prosperity did not receive all the aid
which it was in my power TO render. And you may rest
assured, SIR that my efforts in its behalf that !
about 10 he invested with the iumnncs and honor OF
freeman OF your city, will not he relaxed
The occasion will not allow TO refer TO the elements
Of your prosperity to speak OF the results they have al
ready produccd tic still higher dcsjinies TO which
they tend cannot hOw refrain from bringing 10 your
notice sing pontthe Importance OF continuing TO cult
vate the most liberal and friendly relations between your
city and other parts Of the State. The experience of the
world has shown that iedOuses and prcludces usually exist
between the inhabitants Of large cities and those OF the
try. So much has this been the that collision between
these interests has been regarded almost The necessary
consequence Of the establishment Of large towns. With
ont stopping TO investigate the origin OF these mutual
ors or dllac upon The consequences which flow FROM
them, refrain from expressing thc hope tlat th6
r merit OF extuguhing them, in this country a feast, 81
vet 10 be added c great advance already made by h,
. American people promoting the happiness and elovdt
% ing the character Of Early and constantly sen-ib,
n of the importance OF this object In reference
Is State have heretofore employed whatever influence
have enjoyed effect its accomplishment; and 10
VI sulor policy, by those who have been more adj