The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-03-25
WASHINGTON, March, Il, 1851.

GrNILEMEN:-
On the receipt Of your letter of the l4h Of Febru
airy, deemed il advisable to postpone an answer
until the carriage, harness and horses should arrive
here They came and were received, all sound, and
pressure of affairs at the breaking up of Congress,
and until the final adjournment Of the Senate, has
obliged me to put OF until tomorrow, everything
not absolutely necessary TO be done to-day
And now, gentlemen, i have to thank you foe
your costly and handsome present. The carriage
itselfis thought to be elegant any ever scents
the country. 1t appears to be of exquisite work
mans hip, and is rich, without being gaudy 1t is
every way commodious, and its motion pleasant and
agreeable.
The horses attached to the carriage, think. are
quite worthy oft. They are certainly uncommonly
handsome, and their travelling and action very fine.
On the whole, gentlemen, rather fear that this
eourage is too splendid and superb for plain farm
err OF Marshicld but it has been your pleasure to
make me 50 very valuable gift, accept it with all
thankfulncss, and shall always regard It rs nea-
sure, not ofmy own merits, but of your bounty and
munifcence.
But, gentlemen, am more deeply your debtor
for the estimation in which You pleased to hold
my public services in the councils of the country
If have attempted gentlemen to expound the con-
sttution, have attempted to expound that whick
have studied with diligence and veneration. FROM
my early manhood to the present day. II have
endca, ored to defend and uphold the Union Of tho
States, it is because my fixed Judgment, and my
unalterable affections, have mpelled me, and still
impel me, to regard that Union as the only secu-
rty Tor general prosperity and national glory Yes.
gentlemen. the constitution and the Union. place
them together. If they stand they must stand to-
geher; if they fall, they must fall together. They
the images which present to every American
his surest reliance, and his brightest hopes. II they
perish in my day, afterwards, shall still leave,
the history OF the times, my own deep heartfelt,
and engrossng conviction, that they are among the
greatest political blessings ever bestowed by Prov-
dence man; and that if, in any course of disas-
trons events, such as may happen to all human IN
stituions, they should become severed and broken.
even their history and their memory will constitute
a tract of light upon which all lovers of human
liberty, in after times may gaze with admiration.
Yes, gentlemen | Mon and the Constitution!
Fortunate ambo. s. quid mea carmina possunt,
Nulla dies unquam memori vos extinct evo,
Dunn dcmus Fncr Capitol immob!c saxum
Accolct. impeiumque later Eomanus habcbit.
| was not unaware, gentlemen, on the morning oe
the 9TH OF March, OF last year. that was entering
upon duty which. you suggest, might bring into
peril that favor which had been long shown me, by
that political party whose principles had, for
long time steadily maintained. crisis had arrived
in which il did not become me, a. thought, to be
indifferent, and to do nothing. still less did it be-
come me to act y part which should iafame section.
al animosties, tend to destroy all genuine American
feeling, and shake the fabric of the government to
its foundation. ] was willing to ir,.. aii. am ST..
willing to trust. for the yindicaton my motives.
TO the intelligent men OF my party, and Of all
parties. I should. indeed. have been wholly un-
worthy OF that character which it Is my highest
biton to maintain among my countrymen, il had
allowed any personal peril to bear, with the weight
ola feather. against my profound sense Of publis
duty. Whatever may now happen, shall meet it
with a clear conscience and fixed purpose; and
while acting in full cooperation With the great
mass Of our fellow citizens, who hold the same SEN
imen,s that you hold, shall fear nothing
! am, gentlemen,
Your obliged friend and fellow citizen,
D,A'L WEBSTER.
Mcssrs. Wa. M. RICHARDS, Sc