The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-03-12
From the Norfolk Herald.

rum Ne A'WJWH AGWo.
AT meeting Of the Wing citizens of Norfolk,
held on the 18th ull, of which COL VIM. Garnet
was Chairman and Capt. VIM. d. Delany, Secreta-
ry, a resolution was adopted requesting the dele
gates appointed by the meeting to attend the Wing
Convention at Richmond 10 invite on behalf Of the
Wings Of Norfolk Borough, the Hon. Henry Clay
and The Hon. John Tyler, TO pariake Of public
dinner, at such time as might suith venence.
RICHMOND, Feb. &c, 1870
Gentlemen Your letter of the Path inviting me
on behalf Of the citizens Of Norfolk to visit that
town in company with Mr. Clay, was handed me
yesterday. Understanding from him that ii will be
out of his power to accede 10 your wishes, nothing
more Is left to me than the expression Of my sense
of the honor you have done me in connecting nv
name with his in the proposed visit. Few things
would have conferred upon me more true pleasure
than 10 have partaken with him Of those hospiali-
ties, for the practice of which your ancient Borough
is SO Justly celebrated. For many years have lost
no suitable occasion for giving expression to the
sentiments Of high regard which lunfeignedly felt
for that distinguished citizen. II was my fortune to
have served with him in Congress on two most me-
morabe occasions; when do believe on my con-
science that nothing short of his active and patriot
ic interposilion would have saved the country from
civil war; and the Union from ultimate destruction
The need of high and exalted patriotism will be
awarded him by impartial history, His inability 10
comply with your invitation denies to ME the plea
sure o. its acceptance
Thank you, gentlemen, for the 1attering terms in
which you have been pleased to allude 10 the nomi-
nees OF the Harrisburg Convention OF myself,
dare not say more than that my political principles
remain wholly and entirely unchanged; that they
are the same. now as when first entered political
life, and will continue unchanged to the last moment
of my earthly existence. II in ought l have ever
departed from the principles of the old Republican
party, in word or in deed, my political opponents ire
invited 10 display to the public eye the evidences of
my transgression. oppose the men in power be-
cause they have violated the pledges which brought
them into power-trampled into The very dust the
great conservative principles of the Republican par
ty, and have by their measures, threatened entire
consolidation and centralisn.
or VIM. III. Harrison will say, that il life Of
spotless integrity and unbending honesty--if pa
triotism, manilesng its devotion on numerous occa-
sions during eventful life--f love Of civil Ii
berty, exhibited in the field and in the cabinet for
period of nearly fifty years, can recommend a son
TO the affections OF mother, then do these conside
raions entitle him to the confidence and regard Of
Virginia, " the blessed mother of us ALL" l know
that the work OF defamation for party purposes, is
going on-and that no effort will be left untried TO
arnish the honor which he has nobly won. 1t is
left TO an intelligent people TO protect him against the
contemplated injustice, and to assign him a suitable
place in their affections
With the tender OF my best wishes TO each ofyou
separately have the honor TO be- very respectfully,
yours, &c.
JOHN TYLER.
To VIM. Garnet, J. P. Leigh, J. G. Colley, r.
w. Seabury, R. E. Taylor, J. ii. Butler, Esqrs.