Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-11-14
fFrom The CT I.ouis Mlssourian.I

high testimonial Of personal respect and esteem Jor
.MT Fan Buren,, Of confidence in has integrity, and
of appreciation Of The great measures and principles
Of his administration.
We are much deceived il it has ever been the good
fortune of any American Statesman, including even
those no were his predecessors in the occupancy OF
the Presidential chair TO receive al the hands OF the
Representatives of the Democracy Of The Union any
higher testimonial of regard confidence and approba.
tron than that which voluntarily rendered to Mr.
Van Buren, upon the OF his going out of Office, in
the latter part of February, 1871, by the Democratic
members of the Senate and House of OF
the u States.
In looking over some files of old papers day two
since our YES ha to fall upon the communication
embracing this test,monia and 1t has occurred TO US
that the present time is no inappropriate one Tor lay
ing il before readers, which we do accordingly.
1t is endorsed, as may be seen with the trouble OF
counting the Names by tloenty sir Senators and hun
tired and t,cere members of the House Of Representa-
tryes-all we believe who were present IN Congress
at the time when it rendered, with perhaps two or
three exceptions. The only Democratic Senator there
then, whose name do not discover upon the lsl,
is that of Mr. Calhoun; does it contain that OF
his most intimate friend, MIR. PIckens OF South Caro-
lina member of the House of Representatives Some
others, however, among those who are regarded, we
believe, the "PeculIar friends oil Mr. 10 WI :
Messrs Rbett Sumpier and Butler of South Carolina,
and Messrs Lewis and Chapman of Alabama united,
it will be SEEM in the testimonial:
"wAsHIsGroS CRY, Feb. 90, lS4l.
ITO Mr.. VAN buren,,
"President of The United States
Sir: The undersigned, Democratic members OF the
Goth Congress, in common with other oil their fellow
citizens your political friends, anxious TO have an
opportunity testify their respect for you before your
departure from Washington city, and, for that purpose,
invite you to accept public dinner on such day as
may suit your convenience, about the time oil the az
iournment of the present session OF Congress.
Occupying a position TO have been close observers
of your conduct, both public and prIvae-wltnesses OF
the ability, patriotism, frmness, and dsnersstedness
with which you have pursued the straight path OF the
public good-approving the great measures and prn
eiples Of your MISUNDERSTANDING the frankneSs
and decorum Of your personal department in all the
trying scenes through which you have passed-and en-
teralnng for you the highest degree of respect and
eseem-the undersigned could not reconcile it to their
feelings to separate from you without soliciting an op
portunty of giving public and formal expression to
the sentiments of respect Confidence and approGation
with which your conduct has inspired them
The undersigned know full well that il has not been
your custom 10 accept public dinners, public marks
of respect of any kind-that your aim has been To
discharge the dues and 10 avoid the honors OF your
exalted siation-and that nothing could be more agree
able to your feelings than TO leave the high office
which you have filled, with the modest, noseess
and unambtous steps, with which you have entered
upon and passed through it. The undersigned know
this; but they hope that you may find, in the clrcum
OF the present occasion, induce tor de
parting from general rule, and that your friends may
have The qualification which they have asked OF meeting
you at public dinner.
We have the honor be, Sir, most respectfully, your