New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-09-15
SECRETARY WELLES DECLINES PUBLIC
DINNER.


The friends and neighbOrs Of Secretary Welles, de-
sirnr to tsstfytler respect for him personally and
their confidence in bis management Of the Department
of which he is the head, invited him to public dinner
at Hartford, Conn. His engagements compel him to
decline the invitation will be seen by the following
letter:
HARTFORD, Sept. II, 1851;
GEsrLrMEY: Your coriial invitation to pubic
dinner 10 be given me during my present snl0urn NJ
Hartford, received last evening This evidence OF
your kind regard IT, confess, most welcome III Is a
qualification TO know that my public conduct IN an
eventual AID trying period has met the approval OF
those who have known ne long aud best:
These are eyentfu times, and the Administration has
had great responsibilities we'll as arduous duties 70
d,carge in meeting and suppressing the mcst extra
ordinary conspiracy that ever bciel nation. That u
will be Overcome have never for moment doubted
aud it has given pride and pleasure TO witness with
what patriotic devotion you poured forth your golden
md living treasures 10 sustain the Government ana
tho country In this great conflict, which tests tho
stability aud strength Of the Government, The Navy
muet necessarily perform no uhlmporiant part, anu
vet from the nature Of things II WILL when compared
with former was Of different character, be less
demonstratiye than may perhaps be expected. Tho
insurgents have commerce TO enrich our eiilO-no
navy from which laurels can be won. Oar ships are
employed in the barren aud thankess duty OF nen1ies
20 guard our pors AID oosstwise demonstrations
Ike tie Lite SAUL az HateIas IN otier TO be
thoroughly effective require tie eoofciaiion OF the
army Ii our sailors capture batteries, there must
be soldiers TO garrison them. Almost all our
laval operations in this contest mut be oonlin-
ennt upon others, vet for any delay or failure
he Navy il held responsible. II yessc escapes
the vigilance that Is intended to be cease'ese, cen.
sure falls the Navy, and the department thht
regulates it, movements. Ii does not become me TO
say what has been doue Is doing TO enlarge and In
vgorate the navy by that department n has not pnr-
CHASED all the vessels that have been presented, Tor
undant reasons and yet II has been blamed Tor The
a-.N, ~ To afIflr ia
a. would be serycseble and yet does not escape CEN
ARE for purchases made with exclusive eye 10 pub
lie interest and welfare. The movements OF squad
ron have not been announced by Geographic commune
cation through the press and the consequence has been
that many who knew nothing that doing declared
the department was doing nothing complain not OF
these censnres, but gsatihed that you, my neigh
bors and fellow citizens, who best know ne, under
stand and appreciate the true condition OF ntair.
TIE confidence Ieposed by You In the patriotic efforts
Of the President TO que the instruction and restore
the country TO its former condition. 10 well deserved
Inspired by yigor from yourselves and all who are
devoted 10 the maintenance Of the Union In ito integ-
riiy. those intrused with the ada nisraton Of tie
Government WILL be assured exert Themselves TO per.
uetnate the Inheritance bequealhed us by the OF
The Revolution. II anything can conPensate for the
enormous crime comm ted by tie sectional conspire-
tors IL il the entire unsniny with which patriots raj
lied in defense Of the tag after the assault upon 1t and
the garrison at Sumter
Ifthere are among us any in sympathy with those
Whose hands are raised against the Government and
the Union, or who would make peace by abandoning
either they are marked exceptions 20 our people and
desetyedly without influence Peace with national
di.honor and degradation and dismemberd country,
would be 10 blessing When il returnP as return it
will let il be in all its beignity to united country,
embracing the entire republic in one nationality.
II woid give me pleasure TO see and take each one
Of INV feow-citizens by the hand, but the occasion
viii not admit Of it. Ny to Connecticut was in
Consequence OF Ire,sng business affairs Of private
character tat have been wholly neglected for the last
six months, and which command my undivided atten-
ton while here IL is not my purpose to remain
hour after the objects which called me home are accom-
plished am therefore compelled TO beg yon TO ex-
euse Ine for declining the invitation 30 generously
tended and to receive tho assurances OF my profound
regard j am, gentlemen. very respectfully,
Your otedient servant, GIDEON WELLES
To Mes,rs Wa. A. ROCKINGHAM Taos T. WILLIAxs, JAMS
DIXON VS.. w. ELLsgoRTH, and others