The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-04-12
THE ALEXANDRIA LETTER.

We publish the annexed note win pleasure.
We say with pleasure, because a number OF
our readers have thought our structures on Mr..
CLAWS course were fraught with unwonted Sc
verify.
WAsHMGToN April IL, 1912
Mr. EDIroR;
We have read your comments on Mr.. Clay's let
ter to some of the Wings of North Carolina. This
letter we read with pain. We were sorry it was
written. But the letter to the Wings of Alexandria
we have not SEEN We have looked for it in the va
rous papers here, and elsewhere, devoted to MIR.
Clays interests, but in vain. If it was only similar
to the one addressed to North Carolina, it was per-
haps proper to suppress it. But if il actually con-
tains the expressions quoted by you viz. weak, va
cilatng, faithless Chief Magistrate IF Mr. Clay
used such language, after his EuLoGy on John Tyler
al the extra session. then it should be spread fully before
fishing it
MEMBERS.
From the .4ierardria Gazette.
WAsHlNGroN, April |, 1912
have the honor to acknowledge the receipt OF
your friendly note addressed to at the instance OF
the Wings of Alexandria, inviting me to visit that
city, accept the welcome, and parake the hospitality
which they good enough to render, prior to my
departure from this city. feel greatly obliged by
this manifestation of their kindness, and should be
extremely happy if ! could accept the invitation
but the preparations for my return home, my engage
ments here, and the necessity which feel to repair
my health and recruit my strength will not allow me
to enjoy that satisfaction.
request the Wings of Alexandra to accept my
grateful acknowledgements for the appreciation which
they have been pleased to express at my public SER
vice. With them deeply regret the present unfoI.
lunate state of public affairs at home and abroad,
and should have been most happy if my retirement
had been under favorable auspices. Long as
has been my continuance in the public councils and
as great the sacrifice of my remaining would have
been they should have been cheerfuly submitted to,
if believed they would have been attended with any
public benefit. But the existing relations between the
Legislature and Executive Departments, are without
any example in this any other country, In this or
any other age. Never did any Legislative body assem-
BILE with majority more disposed to perform its whole
duty toward the country than the present Congress,
but it has been thwarted and cIrcumvened, when it
should have with nothing but cordial Corpora
ton and support. And ii SO happens that OF all the
members composing the body, no one was honored
with a larger share OF Executive enmty than have
been; for other reason than that preferred TO
carry out the just wishes Of the People rather than
conform to the caprces ola WEAK, VAClLLAT-
ING, AND FAITHLESS CHIEF MAGlS-
TRATE. Under such circumstances, | perceived
no adequate motive to restrain me from executing my
long cherished wish to retire into private life. In
deed, | found consolation in the hope, that my alb
sence from the public councils may remove one OBJ
strucon from the Executive in concurring in mea-
sures of public relief, which may be devised by the
wisdom OF Congress
have always regretted the existence of this anoma-
IT, by which the inhabitants of the District de-
prved of any practical voice in the Affairs Of the
ton, whose Seat of Government 1t is 1t is priva-
lion, for which take pleasure in bearing testimony to
the manly character the Independence and the patriot
ism which they have uniformly displayed, amidst all
the surrounding temptations.
hope my apology for not accepting your kind in
vtation will be received in the friendly spirit in
which it was offered; and fcrvently wish that the
prosperity of Alexandra may revive and augment
and that its inhabitants my enjoy all possible happi
ness.
And pray you gentlemen TO accept my sincere
thanks for the friendly and respectable mode in which
you have communicated the wishes Of those whom
you represent and your own.
am with the highest respect, your friend and ODE
dent servant, ii. CLAY