The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-08-03

duty call me into his vicinity should with cheer
iulness and pleasure pay him all the respec, called
for by his public station properly due from mine
Nor 40 intend 70 say Or imply that the demonstra-
tions OF respect proposed by the Common Council
nt justly due 10 him both in his public and per-
sonal character cannot consider the question OF
acceptance ofthe invitation rendered TO me, without
reference TO the public station have the honor to
hold; nor can have misunderstood my fellow cti-
zens SO much, as not 10 know that, whatever other
Circumstances may have moved their favor towards
me, every public demonstration Of their confidence
had the honor To receive during my life, has pro-
ceeded in some measure upon the ground OF my
ayowed diSapprobaiion oil his political character and
nus pubic policy BY no means intending 10 expires
aoubi OF the sincerity Of his motives, and enter
tanning, MS Is most just entire confidence in The puTi
y ana diSinerestedness Of the.l large body Of my
/ s'ow citi2ens who admire his character and ap-
Piosr ms measures cannot forget in Difference 10
ms elevated station, that with desire no less sincere
man ms 10 advance the best interests Of the country
nave regarded his policy and measures as injurious
lne property and welfare OF his native Stale, and
that that Stale has honored me for firmly and frank
~ MAINTAINING these opinions. Nor can | forget
thai 10 carrying ou the policy which has crowned,
whh inperishabe honor, the name Of one who was
his and my most uStrious predecessor in the station
assigned 10 me,-a policy which is destined to extend
the fame, enhance the wealth, exalt the condition,
and immeasurably increase the happiness Of The
people OF this Safe, The State administration at
every step encounters an uncompromising hostility,
proceeding from that powerful administration
OF which the President Of the United States Is the
Chief While on the one hand the dictates of my
judgment, and the conscientious desire to discharge
faithfully my official obligations, enforcing my adj
herence 10 that policy, and while on the other there
exists no ground 10 anticipate an abatement OF that
hostility, II Is manifest that my relations 10 the Pre-
sdeni can undergo no change. II would at any time,
and under any circumstances be an extraordinary
demonstration OF respect on the part Of the Chief
Magistrate of this Stale towards any public func-
ionary, were he To leave his duties at the capital to
receive such iunctionary 10 your city; ard such
demonstration, while those relations exist, would al
ford evidence OF inconsistency and insincerity.
could have wished, either that the invitation Of
the committee had been informally made, or had
been communicated to me on an earlier day, that
| might have advised It's withdrawal; and thus the
| necessity for this explanation would have been
avoided But cannot bring myself to regret that
am obliged TO decline the invitation. Our repub-
lican institutions never be safe than when
the discussion of public measures, and the character
OF public men. is so vigorous to bring into the
offices of the General and State Governments ind-
vidnals whose relations prevent the possibility of
combination between them TO perpetuate power con-
terred only for the public good.
pray you TO express To the COMMITTEE my ac-
acknowledgements for this mark Of their attention,
with The assurance of my sincere respect towards
the Common Council and my ardent desire for the
prosperity oil the city which they preside, and
whose welfare is identified with that Of the Stale
and the Union.
lam, very respectfully
| Your obedient servant,
WILLIAM. III. SEWARD.
! THOMAS q. TALMAds, Esq,
:, Chairman Com. of the Common Council of New
York.