Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-08-24
BANQUET TO MIR. MASON IN LONDON.

tculois of me SthDu uhltues gwen oS WI ''''!
tle eminen, American merchant, to Mr. Mssoh' We
United Ststes Minister 70 France, and Mira Mas'"'
Nearly one hundred English aud American iau'es S''
gentlemen were present. The bsnquet cams w o.
the Star and Garter Hotel, at h'cnunonu' ne
Chronicle gives in full the speech OF MIR. Mason' ID
reply to Mr.. Peabodys complimentary toast ana Alec
tho snascbss IF Mr.. John p. Kennedy Sir j. Emer-
son 1snnsnt. and the Lord Mayor Of London. Inc
n.,v srands of MIR. Mason 10 Virginia are highly
o,.,;sed With the marks Of esteem and popularity
which our excellent Minister to France mas rece"eu
from all quarters.
Toasts were given to the Queen OF England ana 10
the President of the United States
Mr. Peabody. next gave. IS the toas! OF 'ne evening,
THE health of his excellency, Mr.: Macon "a TOAST
which he prefacsd by some grsoe,u. bod hsd o
rhs United States previous to his acceptance OF tne
mission TO Paris. After the applause which followed
Hon. John Y. Mason responded 70 inc loasl ne sa'u
sm at loss. cir, for words 10 express NY eep'o ",
your hospitable kindness and the honor when you
confer on me by this unlocked for reception when
nv wife and our invalid daughter came to The Isle OF
Wight for the seat BATH they had no sooner entereu
The domnons of Queen Victoria than WIN cnaraG,er ,
iStic hospitality you invited 'neu w u -
| aud urged me- al Paris to meet mem nave iohs
known sir that your generous hospitality mas gwen
great pleasure to your fellow citizens coming 10 Lon
don, and confident that you nave uohe lnuo' "
promote mutual respect aud gooi leeiins se r.
citizens of the United States and subjects OF the DIT
,ish Crown. ICheers No one, perhaps' Is oetter
qualified for this delightful task tnan yourssn5a I'D
;ive of tho United States, universally ierPe1'e
You have loug resided here, ana must nave e eetee
and confidence of those who know you; and around
your table English and Americans forget prejudice
and learn 10 appreciate each other This s no small
public good [Cheers But, Notwithstanding all ina!
rave heard OF your kudnes' 10 your conhirynnen
am surprised ut what now see 10 tns dlst,ngusueo
guests who surround you am deeply Indebted Tor
The kind manuer in which they have received your
ceInplmept TO me. 1t is my frat visit TO Richmond,
IN England, and can never forget II; i WAS ="
stranger" aud you havs taken me- iu lCheere:J
You have kindly spoken OF my long occuPs'o'i !,
th s.ryios of my country. 10 have such evidence OF
The public conidene at bome IS most gra'iiylhg,-
When the mother OF the Gracch was called OH Tor
her Jewels she pointed 10 her sons. Materhai love
prompts to Gial duty, and he must DC bastard VINO
Is not proud TO have served such mother az my
country You have kindly told your guests that l
nave gained popular favor. love popularity best IN
the language OF Lord Mansfield. 1t IL not the popu,
ary which il after. but that which follows g"oo
and virtuOus actions. 1t have been 80 ioltuia'e a
to secure that, am happy.
w, live air in an exceptional aga. A new era ha1
opened on the Christian world. For ~ years, WIN
nconsiderable exceptions, peace has p'eVa'eu; auu
under i.s benign influence human industry ana Tue
affairs of business have made progress hltherio I'M
known, JCheers II is during this suspicious ces'
sa,ion of fis din OF arms that steam has been cue
ceesfuy applied 10 ocean navigation, anu tne 'o'i
road with It's capacity for rapid transit ana enormous
trans portation bas been brought into general use
What mighty influences and results Tor the good oil
nsniind have not been developed during These hap.
nv wars. Commercial and social intercourse has
b.en increased national antipaihies and preudlces
hav. been modified, if not obliterated, aud those VINO
have been enemies have been made TRENDS. ven
ure IN remind YOU that under these auspclous ihhu
snces the two great nations Of Western Europe, Eng.
land and France after ages of conflict and unneigh'
bory feeling, have become irisnds anu aiIies. In
France have now resided for more than four year,,
and am indebted to them for numerous acts oftrend-
shin nj graceful kindness and official and personal
courtesy. have had opportunities OF observations;
and while have authority to speak OF the futu'
may claim the privilege which 10 conceded 10 my
couptrynen of guessing; and will venture To guess
that the approaching mestiDg OF the Sovereigns oil
France sAd England will only tend to strengthen the
entente cordiale. Cheers
Tn. neriod TO which have alluded has given birth
70 other great events. Within the last four years
great principles, involving the equal rights oil hde
pendent nstous on the high seas, have been eet,ied
nv common consent aud with universal Satisfaction
Disputes 10 regard to them had IN times past produced
ruinous wars, annoyed and hsrraseed commerce, and
DESTROYED private property. But, animated oy mu'u'
al respect each asserting his "n rights and respect
ing those of Others the discu ION has been undeia-
ken in spirit of honor, CAL n and conciation anc
has resulted in the establish lent OF jusce and con
cord. The mercantile mari5 oil the weskest State
NAV now 20 to eea in saft:T under the protecting
n ,is of these great principles. fruitful source OF
irritation, Injustice aud wa is thus closed, trust
forever Honor TO the governments and negoia'
tors who have achieved these grand results
With no sicky sentimenaiity on the subject OF war
when national honor requires an appeal 10 arme tn
peace and friendship with all nations. No one OF the
family of NATIONS has derived greater advanage-
from the happy Influences to which have adver'ed
than our country. In the career OF naona greatness
her propress has been marvellous, and to us 1t IL
sorce Of pride that her growth ID not selfish but al
vays promotes the interests Of the world. we per
suade ourselves that as the States OF the Amerlcsn
Union Louisiana, Florida Texas aud California are
more valuable TO the Of the world, as well
"a 10 the people who inhabit them than they ever
could have been in the hands of their original dietant
soyereigus Such is the natural result OF our sysem
and policy. Nor can the United States regard with
jealousy the prosperity of other nations II is their
pecuar good fortune from their surplus product' to
eupply the great staples Of foreign commerce. All
nations are their customers and on plain principle
If saf.ty in business they desire to see their custom
ers prosperous and happy. tCheers,l
Within the last half century every where iaoor
has rsen ia dignity, and the working man receives
mora of the awards of his own industry, freed from
the unnecessary burdens OF taxation imposed by
wars. This must become more ana more the case
IChaers I believe at this moment there is not a
nation the interest of whose people are not bound ur
10 peace and hope that there Ia no! Government
which is indifferent to the interests OF lie people,
There an interest involved IN the preservation OF
peac. which the Almighty wisely intended should be
the greatest interest OF humanity. Cheers Other
pursuits give luxury and add TO human comfort but
apon agriculturs mankind repcses for subsistence 1t
IL no, wise to withdraw from it's healthy aud virtuous
pursuits the labor Of country, aud, by placing II IN
he ranks of the army, make men flood for gun
powder" Cheers.
l am particularly obliged that you have done me
the honor to place me by the side Of the Countess
Glasgow, whose iustrious father was distinguished
for bis devotion and enlightened contributions to thls
course of scientific agriculture. pray her adyEhip
to excuse this reference to herset but have made
il from grateful respect to her fathers memory; the
name of Sir John Sinclair, Of Scotland is known aud
revered in the United States "a the cherished TREND
and correspondent of Washington Renewed cheers ]