Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-12-09
Re- iyq M. B,ut. an Irv,ai,s1 10 Di..sr "a No.A
NAsnviLLE, Nov. %, 1911

abattd confidence and esteem.
Under all the circumstances attending my return
home, this Pablo manifestation OF the undimnished
attachment OF so many OF my earliest and most tried
| friends affords me the most sincere crltifci alton.
The particular reasons assigned in tho preamble and
resolutions which accompanied your letter of invi-
taton for the tender Of this evidence of their regard
at this nme, and the delicate and lluering manner
! IN which they have b9en communicated, would IN
sPire sill deeper sense of gratitude my part, "
| that were possible.
cannot be mistaken as to the motives and feel
| lnss which prompt those jealous and devoted
friends, who desire to welcome my return among
them 10y rendering me all the honors in their power
| TO besiow. Their generous sympithics have been
| awakened 10y the reelection OF my long and ardent
services and tho sudden in my fortune which
from high and respectable public station dooms
me to the seciusion and obScurIy OF private life
Their generous sentiments and conduct upon this
occasion affect me extremely. | reciprocate, with
all my heart, the warmth and cordially of their at
| lachmcnt and respect; but beg through you to as
sure those whom you represent, and who have shown
| so true friendship in this critical period of my ca.
/ Teer, that during the whole term of my public ser
vice | never ceased to bear IN mind those ylcissi
tudes and which il is the lot of few to escape
who devote themselves to public affairs; nor am
at all surprised at, unpreparcd for, that which
| awaits me at present My friends know that the
prospect OF Teverses did not cause me to hesitate i'm
| my course when, with HANDFUL Of devoted com
panons, rallied TO tie standard of opposition in
The pllmlest days OF Jickson'S power; nor did the
prospect OF exclusion from any public station in fu.
ture deter me from my purpose Of retiring from the
one recently held when could no longer do effec-
tive or honorable service by continuing in it. In re-
sgolng Office, whllcver expectations were induced
| by the friends then around me, did not make the
slightest calculation upon being continued in the
public service in a different branch Of the Govern
ment, and so assured them at the time. need not
trouble you with the Tor that conc uson IL
will be sufficient upon this point state that was
then abc, as trust shall always be- to look with
bafe lnFn sg,,,,
imposed upon me IN career OF honorable ambition
whether by my friends or opponents Without pre-
tending indifference TO the honoss and distinction of
puohc station, can truly say that | return TO the
bosom OF private lite without regret-not disauaIi-
he'd ruS', either for its pursuits or its pleasures
by habits contracted IN public employmen,s With.
in that humber sphere, am convinced, there is
ampe scope and verge for the exercises of every IA
gulatei ambition.
submit with cheerfulness to the distribution of
the vacant posts OF honor and trust which il Is now
understood the Wings of the Legislature decreed
at an early part of the session, II there should be
any election. For the two gentlemen who, under
all the circumstances, have been thought mos, de
serving OF this distinguished testimony of the respcc
and confidence OF the State and OF the whis party
ana tor every member OF the party, wish increase
OF days and of honors, so long as they shall con-
iinue the faithful champions OF Wing principles and
policy.
shall be happy if, 10y my humble example in
we ding ready acquescence IN decision which
Will very probably close my political career can
contribute any thing TO moderate the rage OF disap-
pointed eNpectants, and abate those ranking zeal
ouses and hates sprirgng from rival pretensons in
the wing ranks, which have already resulted in the
open detection OF ONE Of the leaders and brought
the whole Wing party, with a The giea, interests
connected with IT, 10 the very brink Of destruction
envy neither the honor nor the responsibility
oil lhose VINO, at such umes the choice Of their
party to MI the high stations in their gift and IN
10 ure h,ss La. ht.b
over again, before the objects for which we have
oeen so long coniendins, can be secured and settled
upon permanent foundation. For the slke of the
country and the great interests AZ stake, earnestly
trust that they will be able 10 bear the Whig ban
ner trumphlntly through the perIs which now en-
compass H. Great as these perils are however
see nothing TO bring despair. They are not greater
or more formidable than the Wings OF Tennessee
nave heretofore encountered and overcome
/ trust may ask OF my friends, and of the party
which have so long served, that | may avail my
selio this occasion to say that have been assured
from various respectable sources that the preference
given TO two other gentlemen for the vacancies IN
the Senate OF the United States at a time and under
circumstances which very naturally led TO a gene
raj expectation among the Wigs OF other sections
OF the Union that | would be chosen TO al one Of
them, vas not intended as censure or disapproya!
oil my course m recent and very critical emergen.
cY nor the result OF any dIstrusl among the Wings
Of the State generally OF my devotion TO the prin
cpIeS have 50 long advocated and sustained This
n[s not pecn made known 10 the Public through |
any channel, so far as | know; yet think i, but
sheer justice to that should be done: and bco
pardon for what may be an act ofindelicacy
IN me, IN abiding, IN this correspondence to mat
ter so exclusively personal in its nature.
Pleased with this opportunity Of saying so much |
IN regard TO some points upon which had not fore
seen that could find any suitable occasion TO Il |
press my sentiments; and feeling as highly gratifed
and compimenIed by the tender of public dinner.
and especially by the strong assurances OF
attachment and confidence with which it has been |
accompanied, as could possibly be by the dinner |
itself, respectfully decline il. hluer myself that
my friends viii perceive in this course no evidence
either OF indifference TO their wishes OF 10 any pub
lie interests connected with such demonstration of
feeling and sentiment at this part cuar iuncture fl |
would give me much pleasure to meet my old trends
at the festive board, and to communicate freely with
them upon all the subjects which excite attention al
the present time; but as | am about TO become q
neshbor constantly resident among Them hone to
enjoy that pleasure frequently, in a more private
though not less agreeable manner.
beg you gentlemen TO accept my grateful &C.
acknowledgements for the kind and obiging mannerin
which you have executed the intention OF those in
whose behalf you act.
Be assured, also, OF the sincere regard entertain
for you Individually. JOHN BELL.
Mn. JAMES FEESIHORE CooPER seems IN have