Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1842-06-08
MIR. CLAY.

In response TO recent invitation To a pulr,
dinner from his ne gbors and friends, Mr. Civ
returned the following answer:
GENTLEMEN: have had the pleasure TO ?.
ceive your note, transmitting The resoIuoD
adopted a, a meeting of the citizens Of Lexn,
ton and Fayette county, convened for the IN,
pose Of making arrangements connected with
my return home, IN consequence Of my resir.
nation of the Office of Senator Of The Unjsl
States from the State of Kentucky; in conrorn,
| ily with which you have done me the honor +,
invite ne to public entertainment, directedby
one of the resolutions 10 be rendered 10 me.
| | receive, gentlemen, these testimonials If
appreciation, confidence and affection with gre,,
and grateful sensibiliry. Such proofs, emaaa.
ting from any portion of my fellow citizens Of
the United States, however remote from ny
residence, would be entitled to my particular
and respectful acknowledgements; but proceed.
ing, as these do, from my neighb0rs, from the
eyewitnesses of nv conduct both i'll public anil
private life, and who, or whose ancestors, dy.
ring period Of upwards of forty years ha7.
remained firm and slead(ast in their allachmqr
and friendship 10 me, they fill me with tn,
most agreeable and touching emotions, anil
have made deep and inefaceable impression
on my heart. They will, united with the res...
mony in my own bosom, serve, in he retire.
ment which have voluntarily sought, to cheer
and console me during the remnant of my DAYS.
am happy that my quitting the public coga,
ellis of our country, at this time, Is not djsap,
proved. | deeply regret the state of general
embarrassment and distress which exists Al.
tho conscious that have not contributed to
produce it, no one would have sought more
eagerly to restore the common prosperity than
should, if it had been in my power. Bm,
seeing no prospect Of accomplishing any good
corresponding with my wishes, thought IhalI
might, without just ccnsure, now execute my
long delayed purpose of retiring into the shades
of private life.
From these your pariality and friendship
for me prompt you 10 desire lie TO Issue Al.
some future day. | have seen enough Of Ih-
uncertainty or human life TO restrain me froar
placing any sanguue hope or such an event a,
that to which you kindly alluded. But Wills
admit that sell-Osracism is Incompatible with
the duties which a citizen ever lies under tO
the Republic, trust that shall always be al
lowed, al proper times, 10 decide whether 1
ought TO give my consent or not To the use Ot
my name in any connexion which may be pro-
posed for il with any public office, whatever Il
may be. When & suitable time arrives for a
decision, it ought 10 be governed by all existing
circumstances, Of which the mos, important
would be the probable wishes of majority Of
those who have the power to beslow The office
That time, think has not yet arrived.
accept, gentlemen, with great pleasure, the
tender which YOU have been authorized to make
to ME of a public entertainment; and request
you also to accept my cordial thanks for the
feeling and friendly manner in which you have
communicated The invitation.
| am, with afeciionate esteem and regard,
faithfully, your friend and obedienl servant
II. CLAY.
To Messrs H. |. Bodley, Chairman, SC.