Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1849-07-25
AT meeting Of the Common Council of New
York, on Monday, the following letter from Father
Mathew was read:

AT meeting Of the Common Council Of New
York, on Monday, the following letter from Father
Mathew was read
10 has Honor The Mayor Of .Nem Fork:
DEAR SIR Before entering upon the discharge
OF the important duties Immediately connected with
my tempeanee mission, permit me 10 return to you,
SIR 70 Tue municipal authorities and to the citizens
ot New York, my most grateful and heartfelt thanks
Tor me generosity and kind feeling displayed to-
ward me. and which would have oppressed me by
Its intensity were not conscious that il was paid
TO that great and sacred cause of which am es-
teemed the personlfcation. The courtesy and po-
lite attention ofAlderman Haws and the other hon
ored members of the committee, and the MANY dis
Interested proofs ofsympathy, kindness, and affec-
ton, which have received from the citizens have
mnde an impression which can never be eflaced
rom the moment caught the first glimpse of
American land, every incident has awakened re-
newed pleasure and delight. l have gazed with
rapture on the bold outline of your coast and have
admired the beautiful scenery of your noble bay,
unrivaed for its maritime capabilities, and design
ed by nature the entrepot of trade and of com
nierce Tor the Western world. have seen your
majestic rivers dotted with richly reighted vessels,
bearing Tie teeming produce Of your Iuxurant soil
10 lar distant nations, and oh, sir could not look
ON these winged messengers of peace and plenty
wi'hout aSsocating with them the magnanimous
oouhiy oil brave people TO our afflicted nation. (
stfeet5 and busting thoroughfares and have been
'ocioy struck with those exterior evidences Of mer
camille greatness and prosperity, which shadow
forth the high commercial destiny ,ha, ye awaits
your already glorious republic,
have seen the comfort and abundance enioved
by all-n the total absence of squad poyerty ana
In the liberal remuneration which awaits honest
toil, proofs OF prosperity, which contrast strkngly
with scenes that narrowed my soul in that poor old
country, winch, trodden down and oppressed as she
&c eth Il q
have visited your GOd-like institutions, upheld
win munfcence worthy Of your mighty republic
oy which you Initiate at an humble distance the
mercy OF the Redeemer, making ''ihe blind to see,
and the dumb 10 speak,. have minutely inspect
ed iheir internal arrangements, and witnessed with
Intense sailsiaci y, the philan,hropc system, and
and the absence from all religious exclusion. on
which those asyums, sacred tohunanty are based
and conducted
have also inspected with admiration that stu
pendous structure the high bridge-the reservoirs,
sufficiently capacious To supply an abundance OF
the purest water 10 your multitudinous citizens
hagnihcent works, far, far surprising the boosted
aqueducts OF ancient Rome. Nor, in my intercourse
amongst your people, could overlook that manly
independence of character, that decorum and self
respect, so worthy of fyeemen which characterize
American Citizens and which may be observed aa
well in the joyous celebration of their national fetea
as In their commingling with each other in the ac-
tive duties of social life.
Oh sir! what a powerful influence must the ea-
ample OF such people necessarily exercise on the
disre9ses of mankind? After years of toll and anx-
iety, am cheered and consoIed 10 find nv humble
efforts worthy of such high approval, andt feel III
spred with new energy 10 commence, with the d.
vine assistance, ny eXerlions in the States under
such glorious auspices.
Joining in the aspirations one of your most dis
tinguished Presidents, | forven,y pray tha; HE
who holds in his hand the destinies of nations may
make yours worthy of the favors he has bestowed,
and with pure hearts, pure hands, and sleepIess
vigilance, that you may guard and defend to the
end OF time the great charge He has committed to
your Keeping"
With the waTmest gratitude for the kindness
conferred in impartng to me the inequalities of
your city, and treating me as its honored guest,
am, Mr.. Mayor
With sentiments of profound respect,
Your devoted and grateful friend
| THEOEALD MATHEW.
New York, July 7, lS4o