The daily union., 1852-02-11
Mr. Claus Reply.

GENTLEMEN: This is among the most interesting and
gratifying days Of my life, although have been confined
to these rooms Tor long time by tedious and doubtful
illness. You have come here, the Representatives oI
large and enlightened body of ardent and devoed friends
Of mine in the city OF New York, to present to beau
iul and costly gold medal intended to commemorate ny
public life On one face OF il engraved all the gru
public measures adopted in the national councils,
which was supposed 10 have had any conspicuous ag
OF me. The time and the place Of presentation, audh
friends who have contributed this splendid estimona
give to il an nestimable value The time is when an
about 10 retire forever from public life, and when can
mol expect much longer 10 nger here below the pae
is The city of Washington the principal theatre OF ihoR
public services which have commended themselves b
your appreciation. Throughout my public life have been
blessed, everywhere in the United States, with more o.
fewer true friends to whom am bound by the s,ronga
sentiments of gratitude but nowhere have they surpae
those in the city of New York in ZEAL consancy and
fidelity, and in distinguished and various demonstrations
Of their affection and attachment Whilst one is 10 ID,
ardent pursuit oil public e and held up for its highest
honors is not practicable always to discriminate
among his supporters, between those who besow thcs
and those who actuaied by selfish ends but on ih
| occasion no such difficulty exists. You have come,
much personal Inconvenience, 10 the bed oil SICK and
afflicted friend 10 present 10 him. in your names and
the name of numerous body OF his personal and po
cal friends, whom you represent, most precious token
of your esteem and aecuonate regard That frlendM
not now, and never will have, any public patronage
dispense. The high and honorable and dsnteresis
character OF your motives cannot. therefore, be que
toned.
Gentlemen, request you to accept yourselves, and b
communicate 10 my absent friends whom you represent
my cordial and heartfelt thanks and my grateful and
profound Acknowledgements for this rich tribute 10 M
sentiments which they do the honor to entertain
wards me. | should have been most happy TO have a
pressed my great obligations TO all OF them personally
| II had been IN my power.
shall soon pass from the jurisdiction OF my
porares and OF the present generation 10 that OF hsog
and poslerty il the shall deem me worthy Of any
record on its pages or tradition shall transmit any Teca
| lection of me TO the other. Er
II is not within my legitimate province TO express any
opinion my own public career or public deeds Thf
Office belongs 10 them, and shall consider my future
fame Fortunate if it shall be regarded by them with
small portion of the favor with which the partially
| yourselves and your associates contemplate H.
shall soon appear before a higher and more ho!
tribunal than any earthly one which can unerrnsB
Judge of The motives well the acts OF To lhi
tribunal look forward with composnre, and confidence
that shall be acquitted of having ever been prompedn
the discharge OF my public du,es by any or sOrth
selfish ends, or been animated by any other purpose
than 10 promote the honor the prosperity, and glory
our common country.
Medals are generally strack by the authority and rI
for out OF the public treasury OF government and mos
| triumphs achieved in war. But that which you nov
so kindly tender to my acceptance is the spontaneous
Offering OF private citizens. from their private purses
for public services exclusively in the civil department
shall fondly and gratefully cherish and preserve u
whilst life endures and transmit IL 10 my descendanu
under the hope that they will receive and ca,iaF
guard IT, with emotions OF lively gratitude TO my M
York friends, the proudest and richest legacy Iha
could leave them.