Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1842-04-18
In reply 10 an invitation from the Wings Of AleAan-
dra. ID. I, Nh Clay returned the following answer:

inreply an invitation from the Nhigs Of slexafz
dfia, ID |, Hr lay returned The following answer:
y ssHIhGToN, 1t April leI2
GEsrlEHEN have the honor 10 achnow ledge tie
receipt o tie ireHdy nac, addressed 10 ne at the IL
stance oi ilie W hgs 81 Alexandria inviting me To visit
that ny accept The welcome, and paffake the hospital
ny which they aiegnod enough TO tender prior 10 NY
departure from ths CIV. cc greatly Gl.led by tbIs
manle station oi teir kindness, and should hc cXrcme
y happy could accept the invitation; but the prepafa
ton far my return home. NY engagements here, and the
necessity which feel 10 r. pair my heHth and recruit
ny strength viii mol allow me 10 ENJOY that satisfaction.
request the Wings al Alexandria To accept my eraic
tnl aeknowlctTh, TITS Tor the appreciation when they
have been ' ascd 10 express OF my public service. With
Them, deeply regret the present unfortunate state ei our
pullc affairs at home and abroad and should lave been
mosi happy II my retirement had been under mere favor
"ll auspices Long as has been my continuance III the
public councils, and great the sacrifices ulniy renIan
ing would have been, they should have been cleernI
submitted 10, If believed they would have been affe-
dcd with any public benefit But the existing relations
DcA7aen The Legislative and Executive Departments
arc without any example in this any other age. Ne
yer did any legislative hody asacnp,e with majority
more disposed TO perform lis whole duty towards the
country hln the Weeenl Cougrc but has cntinar-
ted and clfcunyrnrod, when it should have met with
nothing LIT cordial 90 operation and support Ard ii
happens that Of all the members comp SIM the body ~
one WIS hannrod with larger share Of Executive enmi
y than have locn; iar other than that pre-
lfed 10 el,aVOr 10 carry out the Just wishes Of The
people rather than CONFORM 10 the caprcesJfa weak va
ollldihg, and ialhlcss Chcf Magistrate. Under such
circumstances, dce9,d no adequate motive 10 restrain
me from executing my iolg cherished wish to retire into
ldSat lie Indeed, found consolation in the h.a that
my absence from The public councils may remove one
obstruction with the Executive in concurrnr in ne.,-
1ffs o public relief, which may tc devised by the Wis
dom Of Congress.
! have dWays regretted the existence If the anomaly
by @neh Tie inhabitants Of this District are deprived Of
am practical voice III The affairs of the Nation hose
seat Of Government II Is. II sa prvafion fer which
trust some adequate remedy will be ultimately found,
Ia thu mean tnc tahe 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 Lind invita-
fion VIII &c received IN the friendly spirit in which
Is offered; and icrvcnly wish that the prosperity of
Alexandria may revive and augment aud that It's nhabi
'anls may ENJOY all possible happiness
And. pray you, gentlemen. 10 accept nv sincere
thanks or the friendly and respectful mode in which YOU
have communicated Tie wishes Of these whom YOU repre-
sent and Your own
am with the highest respect, your friend and obodi
en- servant II. CLAY.