Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-12-22


"PARIs, loih August, lsii
uGen.emen II have the honor To Gchuow ledge the
receipt of your letter Ct The 20h ult enclosing the
proceedings OF large and respectable meeting Of the
Democratic citizens of the county of Philadelphia, by
which learn ,Iat nave Lsen proposed candidate
for the Presidency o: the United States
"Ailow me- To- tender ny SINCERE thanks 10 you, end
TO your CONSTITUENTS. :f this scoa mark Of favor, and
for The had winch you and they have been
pleased exr.e.s Jews which were entertained
upon THIS r,,s.'H- ~H1r7 no circnms ances sha
to chrf.sn wa:m recollection OF ;hs proof Of
high confidence, and regard among the proudes
incidents Of ny lie.
"You inform that you appointed commit
tee in behalf of tins meeting, 10 communicate the pro-
ceedngs to me, and TO inquire # II would BE- agreeable
10 me allow niy friends 10 my a cand
date for the Presidency uf ;he United States, at the
coming Presidential cle ction.
q" should lily justify the interest you take in me, did
hesitate to give frank In tins question: and
if in doing co, may seem 10 be influenced too much
by personal feeling, | trust | shall find in
that natural sent,neni, which teaches to avoid
responsibility that convinced Is beyond our force
II is under This that the Chiet Mastracy OF
our country presents Itself to my mnd Others hnve
though 1t should be neither sought ror declined For
myself | thak i, si uid be declined Mr.. LownG.s
who has 30 beautifully expressed this sentiment and
other distinguished citizens " no under sula. circum
have adopted II, iIht we'll :eel the claim upon
their servces, which TIE possession o' superior talents
gives 10 the counrY Blu. without any ailrctaton Of
HUMILITY ihrse who know they such high qunlf
cations may well avoid the responsibility these bru!
with then aud which these alone can justly meet
There is more splendid object OF human am5iilon
than The first elective Office world But expert
has shown, that reached al all, It must tie reach
ed By contest, where actions are liable 10 be nsre
presented ard motives 10 be perverted, and whore the
reward should te great compensate for the sac.iiccs
By which alone Is 10 lie attained y laadab!e love
distinction, and the consciousness OF fulfilling great
duty, may constitute just reward for these who che
rsh the former and who feel adequate 10 the discharge
OF The latter
But others upon whom these motives Of ambition
and intellect do not operate, may well decline entering
IL path besct with many difficulties and conducting
10 such fearful trial. TRIAL wach consists ia The cx
of grea; power gwen Tor the sake OF The country
br, which may he abused from Infinite variety al
circumstances, that coniro, human actions AID UEic
when honesty cxcI,cd may carry the appearance
of abuse those who regard the result, without having
before them the steps OF the process Such
have been long my Impression upon tins subject, and
advance IN years, with dm'n'slici ainb'tl"n and
increased d'f6eHcc they gan srcnst h from day 10 day
Actuated by these motives, say to you, my fellow
citizens, that do not desire 10 be President oil the
u g. and trust most sincerely that no circumstances
NAV occur to call me 20 fiji that distinguished STA
ton have been sufficiently near tie depcs!taties
Of high power, both al ome and abroad, not 10 know
that It's brings with many troubles end few
consultations Ard here many, some Of whom Will
probably read hs letter, who bear testimony that
these sentiments do not their origin 10 existing
circumstances, but they have been avowed and have
Influenced my conduct, well heretofore, upon
this occasion. think have acquired sufficient cha
Yaccr during the OF active public life, not
now a short one, TO clam to BE- believed upon the
strength Of my assertion But, were IL Otherwise
may here clam 10 be believed from the very circum
stances in which place myself l'should bc equally
weak and wicked 10 u,ake false declaration, with full
authority for lis publication, whoh will probably be
read by many, who would delcc. II, aad 10 would b.
prompted by every honorable motive 10 rsiute II, and
10 expose TO meuted contempt is unworthy author
In the face then Of this result declare that there is
not living being TO whom ever animated the Slight
est wish 10 be President of the u S. On The contrary,
/ have discouraged every suggestion of that nature
which has been made To me- verbally IN writing, aud
many one have received, both formerly and recent.
w. using substantially the same language now use,
and actuuted by the same sentiments.
$50 much for my personal feelings. But there are
other considerations which bear upon this subject, and
which 1 am not the less bound TO present 10 you as
they seem to me to fory the conclusion at which am
anxious to arrive am ahsut 10 trouble you with
nv political creed nor indeed is il necessary that
should do So Tie confidence which your application
pposes, shows that my public conduct, from which
practical principles may be best deduced, has been IN
conformity with your opinions. Like every other citizen,
look 10 the Constitution OF the u S. for The princ'-
Piles which should regulate the action of The General
GoYernnsn,, and en- firm believe! in the exposition