Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-06-21
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.
A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT.

AT the meeting of the Common Council of the
City Of BosroN, on Thursday week, the following
letter from the PRESIDENT Of the United States was
read by Mr.. BRINLEY:
WAsH1seros, JUsE 8, 1851.
President of the Common Council Of the Guy Of Boston:
SIR; When had the pleasure OF meeting you and your
associates OF the Committee from Boston, New York. and
you did the honor Of inviting me to VISIT your city, and
kindly rendered me- on behalf Of the Common Council its
hosuaies fondy hoped that should be able during the
present month to accept your invitation. But regret say
that find il inconsistent with what deem my public duty
indulge in this qualification and, therefore, while am pro-
foundy grateful for the distinguished honor implied by the
invitdtiop feel reluctantly compelled to decline it.
NY personal acquaintance in your city is but slight but
eight as has been, has left many pleasant recollecons
and should have been extremely happy have renewed and
extended at this time. have long entertained high
spect for the intelligence and patriotism Of the great Of
your citizens and events have impaired that
spect You have been, and trust will be, aw-lovng
and awabding people. know that your devotion to this
great principle has had test in your recent efforts to
execute the law for the return Of fugitive slaves Slavery in
any form, repugnant your feelings and education, and
the fugitive naturally and inevitably exces your deepest
sympathes Nothing but stern sense OF duty founded up
on rat0nal solemn cOnvlcuoDs tnat Consutuuonal ana
legal obligation be obeyed, at any and every sacrifice
could have ensured the execution of law in like this
But for myself never doubted that the law would ultimate
ly triumph Good faith is the foundation Of all morality and
all social security. The free States had pledged themselves
by the Constitution to the performance Of this duty The
slave States had right to insist and did insist upon its per-
ormance There was them alternative but break our
faith forfeit word Of honor and thereby tample the Con-
suon of country in the DUST and the hazards Of
civil wars else to admit the obligation like honest true
hearted men, and do all in power to comply with it. still
hoping and trusting that in due time mode would be de-
vised by those who have the constitutional power abolish
slavery, and who deeply interested in its final exnc-
on get rid of the evil without destroying the farest fabric
of freedom that moahands have raised and in its ruins
e1nguishng the last hope of humanity for selgovenmen
Permit say, that this Government has Boston too
much be given up hazaded for slight trivial causes
Some Of the Patriots Of the Revolution still nger among you
and the Monumental Pillar of your grateful recollection of the
if their could forget that this Constitution cost
the hearts blood Of their sres.
That your citizens have acted wisely and periodically
sustaining the law, cannot doubt Their conduct has been
governed by the highest Of moral and political obga-
ton; and for this noble example, feel constrained the
Chief Magistrate whose especial duty it that the laws
faithfully executed, to the citizens of Boston my
warmes Acknowledgements and should have been hap
Ply to have done this person. consistent with my Of
6cal engagements to leave this city.
With many thanks you and through you to the citizens
of Boston, for this kind invitation
have the honor to be your friend and eow-citizen
WILLARD FILLMORE.