Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-03-23
WASHINGTON, March S, le4l.

1 WASHINGTON, March Q, lc4l.
| Gentemen:-l have had the honor to receive your
respectiye letters expressing, behalf OF the Demo
cracy of the city Of New York, the opinion they have
formed of my public conduct, and the feelings by
which they animated in regard to my contemplated
return to my native State and rendering Inc Inc non
or of public dinner, day to be designated by my
self.
The rewards of a public servant, who appreciates
properly the of the relations between himself
and his constituents, are complete, when 70 inc con-
seriousness of having performed his duty WIN nde,y'
and the hope of having rendered himself useni 10 MS
country is added the appreciation of those who nave
entrusted their highest earthly interests to his keep
ina. Your communications, gentlemen, convey 'his
additional qualification to me, and from quarter emit
nenly entitled to my respect Inc political attach-
men,s of the Democracy Of New YORK are prominent
y dis,in for that honorable feature, winch De-
leve every where characterzes the real trends OF
Democratic principles-a disposition TO cling 10 the
objects of their confidence and favor win lenacity
proporoned TO the difficulties that peset lher pains
and the seemingly adverse fortunes they are destined
to encounter. Recalled from the public service Abroad
not many years ago, under circumstances IN some re-
.pecs not unlike the present. found landing in the
vicinity of your city, preparations already made Tor
demonstration of their continued confidence and re-
GARD similar 10 those which are now so cordially ten
dered Throwing myself upon the indulgence OF my
friends on account OF the unfortunate condition OF the
CITY in respect to the health of it's inhabitants, was
enabled supersede the execution OF their friendly
purposes without ubectng myself to the suspicion OF
in.ensiblity TO the generous kindness in which they
had their origin. Appearing Unexpectedly III the midst
of Them found in the simple, but not the less hearty,
welcome of my friends ample substitute for the more
formal testimonials of respect which were in contem-
plation.
| come to you with political ambition more
than satisfied by the many and distinguished honors
which have been conferred upon me, and with no high
aspirations, if there be higher, than to occupy the
station enjoy the privileges, and discharge the duties
of an American citizen. The greetings Of my friends
upon my arrival in New York. be that when and as II
may, WILL quite sure, be of character to afford
all the qualifications great it may be, which could,
under any circumstances, be derived from such 4
source.
| Yon must not consider me fastidious, in any de-
gree ndsposed To yield myself to the wishes and better
Judgment ofmy friends when beg to be permitted 10
substitute less formal more generally accessible and
for those acceptable mode of exchanging
friendly sauatrons with my Democratic friends, than
can be obtained through the medium of public din
ner
Indeed the lion hearted Democracy Of your great city
have braved too much intolerance my account
have encountered too much persecution defence Of
their principles, and have stood By too try
ing occasions, TO render demonstration of any kind
necessary TO satisfy Of the consancy and sincerity
of their attachment. By the gid instant hope Ia be
with them, and to have opportunities to say 10 them,
Individually, how deeply sensible am Of the nadequa-
cy Of the return which II has been in my power to
make for their steady friendship and 10 them OF
my neyer-iailIng gratitude.
Accept, gentlemen, my warmest acknowledgements
for the friendly spirit in which you have discharged the
duty assigned TO you, and believe me to be,
With tine greatest respect
Your friend and ob't serv't,
NJ. VAN BUREN,
To iIessrs William II. Elting. l.. r. Jordan, James
Zeiss, Mel Gray, Allan NJ. Snfrn, and Theos Peck,
Specia Committee ofthe Dem. KEEP. Gen. Conn., and
Robert II. Morris President, Wright Halves and
Theodore Sedgwck, lire Presidents, and John d.
Van Buren, and Thomas Smith, Serrdarirs Of n Con-