Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-02-26
OF EQUESTRIAN STATUE
OF WASHINGTON.
Letters from Distinguished gentleman, inrued as
guests Of HE STATE Of Virginia:
FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

OF WASHINGTON.
Letters from distinguished gentleman, imrued as
guests of me STATE Of Virginia:
FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
WAsHlSGroN CIrY, Feb Is. 1858
Gentrmen:- Il have had the honor to receive your
invitation Ia be present the 22nd instant lat The
elevation of the Statue of Washington To its position
OH the Virginia Washington Monument, in the city
of Richmond"
need not assure you what heartfelt satisfaction il
would Lfror1 Inc to unite in this msnner with my
fellow citizens Of Virginia, in honoring hensel ves
nv doing honor TO the memory Of the first aud Tie
greatest of my predecessors. The name OF WASH
ine,on il identified throughout the world with the
union, the glory and the prosperity ot these cohleae
rated States. Should il ever cease to be venerated
by the American people, they will then have become
degenerate race and unworthy Of the free insiiu'
lions which he contributed iar more than any other
man to establish
l. therefore, deeply regret, that pressing and mpor
tant public duties forbid that should Leave wash
nytou even to be- present the S!nd, al THIS ihos
solemn and interesting ceremony; .;,
truIy. yours. JAMES BUCHANAN.
William +. Richie, George w. Muntord sud Gus
tsyus A. Myers, Esqrs, Commissioners.
From, the Secretary of Stale.
WAsHISGToS CITY Feb. llth, 1898.
Gsntlemen:-I have received your Invitation 10 10
present. the grest of the State OF Virginia, a. tue
proposed elevation Of the statue OF Washington, on
the I'D instant, in the city Of Richmond.
Approaching the honor conferred upon me- by inns
mark of your attention, and synpathlzlDg in all Inc
feelings which that patriotic measure Is 30 well cacu.
lated 10 inspire in the breast OF every American, II s
with regret, find myself compelled by the pressure
OF Bile duties decline being present upon that in-
teresing occasion. sm, gentlemen,
Very respectfully, your obedlent servant
VIM F. Richie. Geo. W. Munford, q. A. Myers
Commissioners of the Monument, Richmond, Va.
From me Secretary Of HE Treasury.
WAsHiSGToN CRY. 18th February, 1893.
Gentlemen IL regret TO say, that shall be pre-
vented by official engagements. from accepting your
kind invitation o be present ut he elevation OF 'e
Sntue OF Washington to its position on the Virginia
Washington Monument, in the city Of Richmond, on
the I'D day Of February"
The occasion is which every patriot in the lAnd
would delight to honor, aud assure you it would
give me no ordinary pleasure to be present, ii con
suited sl0ne my personal feelings and wishes. The
annual return of the birth day OF the Father OF hs
country, affords opportunity to the American peo-
pie of renewing their VOWS OF fidelity 10 that Constl.
tuition and Union which has rendered the name OF
Washington immortal. On no previous occasion OF
the kind has there been greater necessity for the
discharge of this patriotic duty than at present.
Threatening storms hang over the country bitter
waters flow through the land-pasSlon and prejudice
are sowing broad cast the seeds OF disaifecon The
Union OF Washington formed in love-ihe ConstIiu-
lion of Washington coDsecrated III wiadom, are a.
sailed with hatred and madness. Ia II not WELL then,
that on the approaching 22d of February. the voice
Of patriotism should be- heard invoking the sons and
daughters OF America throughout our broad land 10
renew the featy of their hearts TO the Constitution
and Union of our fathersi Virginia, ever true and
faithful, WILL sure, not fail on this fitting oppor-
tunity to awaken the memories of the past. 50 full OF
instructive Lessons for the future and thus add
other leaf TO the history Of her patriotic examples
aud wise admonitiOns.
am very respectfully, &C.,
HOWELL COBB.
WIN. F. Richie. George w. Muniord, and G. A.
Myers, Esqrs
From the Secretary of the Interior.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, !
WASHINGTON, Feb. l9h, 1853
Gentlrmen:-I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt Of your polite invitation 20 be present ~ the
elevation Of the statue Of Washington, at Richmond,
on The 22d inst. IL would afford me great pleasure 10
participate in so interesting ceremony, and have
withheld my reply until the last moment in the hope
that should be able To attend; but find, 10 my groat
regret that the pressure of my official engagements
will prevent my leaving Washington at this time. |
am compelled, therefore, to decline the invitation.
With grsat respect,
Your pbedient servant
J.THOMPSON
Secretary
Messrs VIM. r. Richie, George W. Munfo,d. Gus.
tav us A. Myers, Commissioners OF Monument, Rich.
monh. Va.
LETTERS from other ,nuited guests heorofter.