Cheraw gazette and Pee Dee farmer. [volume] (Cheraw S.C.) 1838-1839, 1839-10-18

To which MIR. Clay returned Inc iollow'
ing reply = 4ssa4 sas ass =.
ASHLAND. SEPT. %, 1889.
GENTLEMEN In acknowledging the re-
ceipi of he no,e which you did me the honor
to address to me the 2lst inst. transmitting
copy OF the proceedings ofa large meet.
ing Of my fcllow.citlzcns of Tennessee, as.
sembled at Nashville on the 9th instant,
rendering the hospitaliiies Of that city, and
inviting me to visit Tennessee this Fsll, |
assure you, with the most perfect truth and
sincerity, that have never received simi-
lar compliment with more heartfelt saslsfac.
ton. Considering the place whence this
gratifying testimony proceeds, the high char
acter of those who have concurred 10 fen.
dering it. aud the distinguished manner in
which it has been borne 10 me by personal
and political friends, It demands the express
sion ofmy profound and greatful acknowl-
edgmen,s. 1t occasions me painful and in.
exprcssibls regret not to be able at once and
without hesitation to accept an invitation
which has come to me under such fiatteriig
and friendly auspices. But have just ter
minated long and arduous journey. and
my health is not good, as you must your
selves have perceived. My private affairs,
100, and the preparations for another jour.
ney which | must shortly undertake to
Washington, require the constant apPlica.
ton of all my attention during the Interme-
date time. Under these circumstances, |
cannot venture to make positive engage.
ment to visit Tennessee the present Autmn.
All, upon that subject, that | dare promise
is, that il, contrary to my expectations,
should be able to make the necessary ar.
rangements for my journey to Washington,
and | should find my health sufficiently re.
established, v i'll, with the greatest pleasure,
visit Tennessee prior to the approaching
session of Congress. But, i'll should not
be able to do so, will certainly, If my life
aud health are spared, after my return from
Congress, avail myself OF that opportunity
of making your State visit.
request, gentlemen, that you will con.
vcy % my fellow.cilizens Of Tennessee
whom you represent, my deep sense oftbe
kind expression with which they have been
pleased to honor me. Nowhere, during q
long public career, have been more mis-
u.,ders ood or rmsrepresented than in your
Slote. From no State therefore could such
issuiiug language come to me with more
sincere satisfaction. | am truly thnnkful
for being permitted to live down the calum.
nies of which there and elsewhere | have
been tho object. And It should be encour-
aging and consolug 10 public men, VITO
strive honestly and faithfully to serve their
country, that ifa wrong verdict is sometimes
precipi iately rendered with erroneous
views, and under the operation of passion
or prejudice justice is finally administered
with absolute certainty.
l hope, gentlemen, that you will assist
me in making acceptable the reasons which
constrain me to iorego the pleasure OF an
immediate acceptance of the invitation
which you have had the goodness to deliver.
And cannot conclude without rendering
to you, collectively and individually. my
respectful thanks and my great obligations
Ior the kind and friendly manner IN y hlch
YOU have executed commission involving
necessarily much personal inconvenience.
| add, also, assurances ofthe cordial esteem
and regard with which am,
Your friend and obedient servant.
H. CLAY
To Messrs. Boyd McNairy, B. s. Wei
Ter, &c. &c.