The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-06-21

wore the deposanes OF the public credit and charscts
Of their country. II America had NOT made ever no
slbe effort TO discharge It's debt towards ENGLAND !,
would have lost caste among the nations of tbe earth
and endangered lie elements Of greatness In say,na
that the efforts OF America had been pres, and ,bs s
character Of American merchants had been supoor,cd
and strengthened by the efforts they had made be ~
saying no more than would be re-echoed by marianne,
and the country.
Sir. j. r. Reid congratulated the Chaneelo, n H..
Exchequer the justice he had done to the Amercn
He (Sir r. Red) could take upon himself TO saw ,bs,
they had raised money at gh rate as from 10 %
to 80 per cent for the purpose Of paying their debts
The following is the reply of the Hon Henry
Clay to the letter OF the committee appointed al The
meeting held in New York, on the 29th ult., inviting
him to visit that city and State, after the adjourn.
ment Of Congress.
WASHINGTON, June 8, 1898
Gentlemen--I have to acknowledge the recent Of
letter, which, as a committee appointed al meet
ing OF my political friends, recently convened in the
city of New York, you addressed 10 me, TRANSMITTING
copy Of their proceedings and In pursuance OF one
of their resouons inviting me TO visit that civ and
TO pass through the State Of New York 10 Buffalo
upon my return home, afler the termination Of the
present session of Congress.
have perusedthe proceedings Of the meeting with
the liyeest feelings of gratitude and request Won
gentlemen, to convey 10 those who composed H. nv
cordial thanks and respectful Acknowledgements for
their friendly consideration of me- Whilst | feel
highly gralifed by the sentiments of attachment
confidence and preference, with an expression of
which the meeting has honored me, / think that il
has wisely referred the designation of suitable can
ddate for the office of President of the United States
to the consideration and impartial decision Of ma
tional convention. Such an aSsemblage represent
ing all parts OF the United States and fairly consti
tuted, viii embody the opinions and best express the
sense Of the whole opposition TO the present admins
- har II
differences promote harmony, and secure hearty CO.
operation among those who are engaged in the pa
trioc cause Of struggling to bring back the govern
ment TO its former purity, 10 heal the wounds in the
constitution, and to restore the prosperity of the
country. 'n~~
! should be most happy to find myself under cir
cumsianceS which would admit of my acceptance of
the friendly invitation 10 visit your state am sure
that everywhere, on tour so agreeable, / should
meet with the greatest kindness and hospitality and
behold in the virtue intelligence and enterprise Of
the people of New York in the noble works Of inter-
nal Improvement which adorn its territory and in
the fruitful soil with which Providence has blessed
il, abundant elements for repairing the temporary
injuries inflicted BY the errors and experiments Of
the federal executive. But feel constrained TO deny
myself the satisfaction Of contemplating these pleas
ing scenes. After an absence from my home, which
has already extended 10 nigh eight months, am ma
turally most anxious to join my family without any
unavoidable delay. might content myself withthe
assignment of this simple reason, but have other
and higher motives, which candor requires should
communicate, for declining TO accept your obligng
invitation. Although am not in fact candidate
for any Office am aware that my name is freely
used in connection with the highest in the gift of the
American people. Whilst it is thus subject of con-
sderation, have thought ii best becomes me to re-
main in attitude perfectly passive, doing nothing
with the intention of attracting the current of public
feeling to me- nothing 10 disturb or affect the exer-
else of the free and unbiased judgment of the people
! have accordingly acted in strict conformity with
rlln Z m L have yiSi cd M MI
and shall visit place. with the view of promoting
my own personal advancement Considerations both
OF principle and convenience have induced to adopt
this resolution.
know that sentiments of personal esteem and re-
gard for me, and for which am very thankful apart
from political notices, have prompted the invitation
with which you have favored me; but if Iuere to
accept no matter under what proesatons or profess
sions, i would be believed, whether Justly or not
that It had other objects besides social intercourse
and an examination Of the nexhauslible resources
OF your great State. The same or similar reasons
with which might be induced to visit New York
would be urged TO prevail on me to go other portions
OF the Union. How could discriminate 2 What
limits should prescribed There would be physi-
cal impraccabity to go to every important point of
the Union, which might be pressed. or prompted
by the impulse Of my own feelings, TO visit
The Office of the President of the United States Is
OF nature so exalted, and its functions are SO mo-
mentous that i ought not TO be, and happily never
can be, reached by individual efforts to acquire il
1t should be bestowed by the free, spontaneous and
deliberate Judgment of the people When so con-
ferred It is more honorable TO them and to the dis
iinguished object Of their choice. Thus receiving
it, he will enter upon the career of its arduous duties
conscious that he has attained the elevated station
by no low or unworthy arts and, OVERLOOKING with
gratitude, will dedicate all his abilities and his I'M
divided energies, to the honor and prosperity and
glory of his country.
Such, gentlemen are the views which should
entertain if were formal candidate and the sole
candidate Of the cause TO which am attached Far
from being weakened, they appear TO me 10 possess
additional strength when they survey the actual state
OF the question to which they relate The Wings
have not yet determined on their candidate. They
are now celebrating about il, consulting among
themselves in their primary and other assemblies
they have right do, and resolved TO hold great
family consultation in December, 1889. Other gen.
emen Of eminent abilities, of distinguished servi
ces, and of acknowledged patriotism, Justly and
properly and prominently in their view, and under
ton is in progress of an amcable adjustment feel
that il would not be right for me to make any per-
sonal exertions, or even to be voluntarily placed in
situations in which il might be supposed that was
making personal exeriions, to withdraw from them
the confidence so Justly due TO them our common
friends, and fix it exclusively upon myself. In an
nouncing this rule of conduct for myself 1t is TO-
reign from my intention to mark out any course for
others or 10 intimate any dissatisfaction with whate-
yer line they may consider it proper 10 pursue.
pray you, gentlemen, individually, TO accept as
surances Of the high personal regard and esteem,
with which lam, faithfully,
Your friend and obedient servant,
III. Clay,
Messrs G. C. verplanck, Willis Hall, John L.
Lawrence, Thomas t. Wells, Dudley Selden and
Robert SWarlwout. h