The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-11-02
MR.. WEBSTER AND THE CITIZENS
OF NEW YORK.

us by friend, came too late for yesterdays
paper.
| We have read Mr. Webster's letter with an
interest and delight that cannot find words
TO express His letter is short. but luminous
like the brilliancy of the ivid lightning; his ge-
MUS. in this short epistle, displays, in bold re-
lief, the wisdom and patriotism of the Admins
iration. Such an intellect is an honor TO man
kind, more valuable and enduring than the rich
es and municipalities of the world.
Mr.. Webster, in this letter, does full justice
70 the President in relation to a matter which
has been the subject of misrepresentation
New YoRK, Oct. II, 1912.
DEAR SR: As inhabitants of the city of New
York and having immediate interest IN the com
merce of the country we desire that our citizens
should have opportunity to make Puoiic express
son of their appreciation Of the manner IN which you
have discharged the high and responsible duties OF
the Office of Secretary of State of the United States
We therefore, beg the favor of your company at a
public dinner TO be given you in this city, at such
time may suit your own convenience.
Here might close this communication, but we
take the liberty further To add, that your manage
ment of the foreign relations of the country has, IN
our judgment, been characterized by dignity, high
intelligence, and lofty American feeling feeling
our own country Especially would commend
the services you have performed in negotiating the
Treaty with Great Britain; we deem the treaty
highly honorable TO the country, and we look with
pride, Americans, upon the thorough acquaintance
with the rights OF the nation, and the principles OF
public law displayed in the negotiations which led to
It's formation. We have not been inattenye observ-
ers your Secretary Of State through the
peculiar difficulties which you have ountered, and
heartily rejoice that, in the discharge Of the du-
ties of the Department which you preside, such
great good has resulted TO our common country.
We Lave the honor to be, very respectfully,
Your fellow-cilizens and friends,
To Hon. DANIEL WEBSTER, Secretary Of State Of he
United STATES.
Jonathan Thompson, George Griswold, Preserved
Fish, Stephen Whitney Peter G, Stuyvesant, James
Boorman, James Brown, Gardiner G.. Rowland Cor
nelius w. Lawrence, Moses Ii. Grinnell, John II.
Hicks Benjamin l.. Swan, c. Bolton John |. Farmer,
John Goodhue, Geo W. Strong, Oh. Aug. Davis,
Robert c. Cornell, Fred Suydam, Nathaniel Weed,
Charles Denison, Joseph kernochan Elisha d. Hurl-
burt, P. Perit, Caleb Barstow, Daniel Lord, Jr.,
Chas. II. Russell, John Johnston, Andrew Foster,
Jr., Thomas Tileson, J. R. Hurd, William l.. Stone,
A. b. Nelson, Philip Hone, Robt. B. Minturn, Rus
sell III. Neyns, Walter r. Jones, Geo. Elliot, Hugh
Maxwell, Charles n Talbot, Hiram ketchum, Hen
~ H. Bogert John c. Green, X. NJ. Batchford, S.
Draper, IT,, W. b Lawrence, w. r. Carey, Morris
Ketchum, Abel Y. Anderson, David Lee, Charles
H. Marshall VIM. S. Wetmore, Gilbert Allen, John
A. Stevens, Samuel Ward, H. Brevort, VIM H. As
pnwal George Curtis, John Griswold, Charles
March, Rufus L. Lord. Joseph w. Alsop jr., Jacob
Harvey John w. Leavitt, Henry Chauncey Albert
Woodruff, Edmund Bartlett, William Fitch, VIM
Delafeld, jacob X. Leroy, Isaac Townsend Samuel
G.. Raymond.
BosroS, Oct %, 1912.
GENTLEMEN: have the honor TO acknowledge the
receipt of your letter of the l7th of this month";
wiling me TO public dinner in the city OF New ork
from desire that opportunity might be afforded
for public expression OF appreciation OF the manner
in which the duties Of the office hold have been dis
charged
Few things, gentlemen, would be more agreeable
to me- than to meet YOU, and all such Of your fellow
citizens might desire It, any occasion OF iriednly
intercourse But must pray you 10 excuse me from
accepting your invitation to dinner, as my duties
summon me to Washington, from which my absence
has already been much longer continued by the state
OF my health, and other causes, than had intended
or expected.
1t is impossible gentlemen for me to read your let
ter and the appended TO 1t, without feelings
Of peculiar qualification. | confident that you
| intend me empty compliment no merely formal
commentator. The magnitude Of the interests
which have been, in some measure, conhded to my
care your thorough acquaintance with those interests,
and the great stake you have their preservation and
secuaity assure at once of the sincerity OF your
appreciation, and lead to feel that ii may not be
altogether undeserved For my endeavor to serve
the country, in the high matters connected with It's
foreign relations can enjoy no reward SO rich and
lasting as the success of those endeavors, and the
sanction of the public Judgment The duties Of the
Department of State undoubtedly demand ntelli
gence and anxious from the hands to which they
are confded. In the latter of these | am conscious
that have not been deficient. They demand also, in
an especial manner, high American feeling, and a
comprehensive regard to the honor and interests OF
the whole country. | have sought most certainly,
on all occasions, Il be governed by these sentiments
and am most happy to know, that in your opinion their
influence visible the management OF the concerns
which have been entrusted to me.
In the late negotiation with the English Envoy
acted Of course by the authority and under the d.
rection of the President If the immediate labor de-
voyed me, the constant supervision and final sane
ton belonged TO him. The occasion doubtless
of high importance and caused many interesting and
delicate subjects TO come up for consideration and
discussion. Several Of these have been settled by
positive stpulations others have been treated by d.
plomatic correspondence in all, am glad TO know
that you think the rights of the nation and The princi-
Piles of public law, have been upheld and maintained
trust, gentlemen, that you will not receive my de-
Ginning your invitation evidence that place less
than the highest estimation upon it, as testimonial
OF regard and appreciation From no source could
such testimonial come with claims TO profound
consideration, calling more emphatically for my
sincere and hearty thanks. Circumstances apparent
in the columns of Signatures give to your letter a
character of the highest value. They teach that
no considerations should be allowed TO draw us aside
from the course of public duty and that upright in
tenton, impartalty, independent purpose and fdeli-
ty to our common country, will find their reward.
am gentlemen, with most sincere regard,
Your friend and obedient servant,
DANIEL WEBSTER.
To Messrs. George Griswold Stephen Whitney Pre-
served Fish, James Boorman. iona. Thompson, Pc
ter G. Stuyvesant, Gardner G.. Rowland Moses
II. Grnnell, and others.