The national Republican., 1861-02-28
LOCAL EW S.

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VISIT OF THE MUNICIPAL AUTHORI.
TIES TO THE PRESIDENT AND THE
PRESIDENT ELECT.
Speech Of Mayor Berret, and reply Of Mr. Bu'
chanan-The Visa to Mr.. Lincoln-His
Speech, dc.
Two events Of much interest took place yes.
teriay afternoon-the FIRST, the visit Of the mu.
nicipal authorities to the retiring Executive
and the second, the visit to the President elect.
About two o'clock in the afternoon, the
Mayor, accompanied by the members Of both
boards Of the City Councils and the members
Of the Levy Court proceeded to the Executive
Mansion, where they were very cordially re-
ceived by the President.
Mayor Berret proceeded to address President
Buchanan, as follows:
REMARKS OF MAYOR BERRET.
Mr.. Pfesident: The joint resolution adopt.
ed by q unanimous vote of the Boards of AL.
dermen and Common Council of the city of
Washington, and which / had the honor to
present to you, so fully expresses the respect
and regard which they entertain towards you,
that II only remains for me to say, on behalf Of
my fellow.citizens, and in which cordially
share, that in your retirement on Monday from
the highest public station known to q republi.
can form Of government, you will carry to your
native State and home the gratitude Of this
community for the many acts Of social kind.
ness received at your hands, and the deep in.
terest you have ever taken TO advance the city's
material interests, their and my own best wishes
for your health and happiness.
President Buchanan replied as follows:
THE Presidents RESPONSE.
Mr.. Mayor and gentlemen Of the Corpora
tion I reciprocate with all my heart towards
yourselves the kind wishes you have expressed
for me, when about to take leave Of the city of
Washington. But I must say few words
more. I came to this city as a member of the
House Of Representatives in December, 1921.
A period of nearly forty years has elapsed since
that time, during which, without a single ex.
ception, have been treated with the utmost
Kindness and respect by the citizens Of Wash
ington. Your fathers have treated me in the
same manner that you have done. Among all
those who are now present, do not recognise
q single individual whom then knew, with
but single exception, (Gen. Force y but good
will towards me has descended from father to
son, and I feel the greatest qualification in
knownng and believing that l am SO kindly
appreciated by the citizens Of Washington, as
think deserve to be, at least by them.
The members of the two Boards, together
With those composing the Levy Court, were then
individually introduced to the President, who
shook the hand Of each, and, after cordial
shake, bade them on affectionate farewell.
VISIT TO Mr.. LINCOLN.
On leaving the Executive Mansion, the party
repaired to Willsrds' Hotel, to extend formal
Welcome to the President elect After few
minutes delay, they we're invited into the prin'
cipal apartment of Mr.. Lincoln, where that dis
tinguished gentleman was in readiness to re-
ceive them.
The Mayor then addressed the President elect
in the following language:
Mr. Lincoln: As the President elect under
the Constitution of the United States, you are
soon to stand in the august presence OF o great
nation of freemen, and enter upon the discharge
of the duties of the highest public trusts known
to our form Of government, and under circum
stances menscing the peace and permanency o
the Republic, which have no parallel in the
history OF our country. 1t is our earnest wisf
that you may be able, as we have no doubt yor
will, to perform those duties in such manne
as shall restore peace and harmony to our nov
distracted country, and finally bring the ole
ship of State into an harbor of safety and pros
perity, thereby deservedly securing the univer
sal plaudits Of whole world. / avail myself
sir, of this occasion to say that the citizens o
Washington, true to the instincts Of constitu
tional liberty, will ever be found faithful Il
all the obligations of patriotism and as thei
Chief Magistrate, and in accordance with tn
honored usage, bid you welcome to the sea
of Government.
Mr.. LINooLNs REPLY.
Mr.. Mayor: thank you, and through yo'
the municipal authorities of this city who ac
company you, for this welcome. And as it
the frst time in my life, since the present phas
of politics has presented itself in this countr!
that / have said anything publicly within re
gion of country where the institution Of SLAYER
exists, will take this occasion to say that
think very much of the i'll feeling that has e'
listed, and still exists, between the people in tn
section from whence / came and the peopl
here, is dependent upon Misunderstanding (
one another. therefore avail myself of thi
opportunity to assure you, Mr.. Mayor, and q
the gentlemen present, that have not now, an
never have had, any other than as kindly fee
ings towards you as to the people Of my ow
section. have not now, and never have ha
any disposition TO treat you in any respect othe
wise than as my own peighbors. have n
now any purpose to withhold from you any
the benefits of the Constitution, under any CT
cumstances, that would not feel myself, co
strained to withhold from my own neighbour
ard hope, in o word, that when we shall b
come better acquainted | say it with gre
confidsnce--we shall like each other the MOI
l thank you for the kindness Of this recept'o
The visiters were then severally introduce