Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-01-10
10, HALF Moon STREET, PIccApLLr,

| ~.
sIR have received your kind letter of yesterday in
vting me- in the Of the Mayor of Southampton
body Of the merchants and others connecte
with your port to public dinner there, such day
may suit my convenience.
In consequence of my short stay In England and nc
cumuated business have been compelled to declin,
similar requests from other points in your country, pro
in date TO yours.
1t is with extreme regret that feel constraned/tc
forego the pleasure of dining with the Mayor and
chants Of Southampton. There is in England fo
whom entertain respect and esteem than the Mayor
of Southampton This feeling is general in America
embraces your worthy intelligent, LIBERAL anu patriotic
citizens, from whom we have received many marks Of
| kindness and regard
1t quite true as referred to by you, that a mem
Der of the American Cabinet l advocate of that
great steam communicate which happily unite:
various points of your country with my Ii Is
beneficial system and hope il is destined TO great
and successful engagements.
thank you also for the kind and cordial sentiments
you have been pleased to express in regard 10 my
try 1t is most clearly the interest and duty Of England
and America TO encourage and maintain the most friendly
relations In some remarks heretofore made by me Al
your city took occasion to express the opinion that
neighborng Republic, called based upon hSf million
Of bayonets and state Of siege would soon be merged in
absolute imperial power Those predictions already
fulfilled and France is passing into Government
more military and despotc than any that prevails in
Europe, because is purely the Government Of the army
and single chief Already this fearful change is hail
ed with delight by all the despoc Powers and especially
by Russia Austria and Naples The Continent has he
despotic, except few remaining points which
already menaced and where the light liberty tits feared
will soon be extinguished. These islands alone remain
breast the fury Of despoc power and already ID int
mated that it may become TO reestabsh against
England the continental system Of the first Napoleon The
principle Of the despoc Powers viii be this that England
must refuse asylum to the exed victims of
oppression and that she must abandon the liberty Of
speech and Of the press The question, fear will
be propounded TO England: WIN you renaush all the
principles Of free Government and sink quietly into the
abyss of despotism? Or will you manfuy resist and IL
so, when, and how and where, are You willing to begin
the rcsstancel Will you wait until every free Govern
ment is overthrow the Continent Or when the prn
cpe of armed Intervention from abroad Its de-
termination subvert these Governments will you then
interfere for your security, and whilst yet You may
have friends and allies upon the Contnenti Should the
latter be your wise and patriotic resolve and should you
in that event. desire the cooperation Of my country IL
will be given by the Government and sustained by the
people with real and unanimity.
know nothing since the days Of The Crnsados that could
excite in America feeling Deep universal and en-
thusiastic or which would call out many millions, n
necessary Of my counbymea, limitation from you 70
your children IN America 10 fight together the last great T
umphapt battle for The liberties Of II would be
tain and easy victory achieved chiefly by the naval forces
of England and America; and succeeding this victory
there would then be enduring peace and extended CON-
merce
Indeed doubt not that IL England and America would
inform the continental despots that they must not inter
yene beyond their limits to overthrow other Govern
ments merely because they Free that such an an
nunciaton would arrest their march in 1851 MS did in
1920 and accomplish the result without the neces
sty Of bloodshed.
DO pleased present to the Mayor and to the worthy
merchants and citizens of Southampton who have united
in this invitation my most sincere thanks and accept for
yourself my dear sir renewed of my regard
and esteem. Yours most faithfully,
49, R. J. WALKER.
CHARLES Il. DEACON Esq, &C., Town Clerk.