The New York herald., 1864-12-13
Che Merchants OF New York and tn
Hon. Reuben e. Eenton, G0verno
Elect-A Dinner rendered and Dc

lion. Reuben l.. Fenton, Governor
Elect-A Dinner Tcndered and De-
clined-InterestingC Corresponden nee ,<Sc.
During the latter part Of November a number OF our
leading merchants and citizens held private meeting
for the purpose OF considering they could
exhibit their respect and esteem for the Hon. Reuben E.
Fenton, Governor elect After versaton
resolved TO tender Mr. Fenon the compliment OF
dinner and invitation to that effect accordingly
mailed to that gentleman. Mr.. Fenton has declined the
invitation the plea Of public duties. The following s
the correspondence on the subject
NEW YonK. Nov. 25, 1864.
SIR-Your long continued and faithful public services
devoted always TO the promotion Of the industrial inter-
ests OF the country have been in the judgment
unders gned fifty recognized in the election in
this state.
Commercial ccmmunit les OF necessity direct their care
fu attention 10 the course Of those whom legislative
trusts are counded; aud especially have the
involved IN the action Congress- at period OF
national peril awakened unusual sol citude in
regard TO the conduct OF pubic affairs.
Your In this great emergency hss been marked
by rare intelligence and upnchng fidelity to duty The
moral effect Of your influence and the beneficial results
your act ion have felt At all times in support OF the
measures OF government. in maintaining the public
credit and in promoting the welfare OF all engaged in the
patriotic duty OF preserving the national honor.
These considerations virdicate the decison OF the
people TO entrus TO the management their public
affairs as chief executive magistrate OF the State
Earnestly sympathzing 10 this expression OF the pub
lie will. the undersigned, while offering you their con-
eratulatons respectfully ask you will meet them at
afford them opportunity for expressing more fully
their sense Of your many claims to public regard And
GEORGE OPDYKE, and Others.
GOVERNOR FEsroS's REPLY
JAMESTOWN Nov. 80, 1854
Tood es ,b naPpy to you
your letter OF the 25h inst but my public duties are
such as to place beyond to comply your
While cordially thanking you for your generous express
sons OF confidence and respect am that they
all rttai Ia fa.tn
guided by what has appeared 10 TO be the public
teress. How well have sustained those interests
people must decide. can safely say, however, that
have endesvored to discharge ihe duties that have
devoived upon me with strict fidelity, and IL have
always succeeded 10 my purposes the fault s in the udg
be Chief Mag OF great State OF New
York is high honor, at any time; but at this period
when the nation is struggling for characterization
weight OF her Influence should be felt upon the side
the counyto be placed at the bead Of the executive
affairs indeed mark OF distinction of which any c
may be proud. shall bring TO the discharge Of
duties OF the high station to which have called an
earnest purpose to fulfil its obligations with single eye
10 the public good.
Thoroughly appreciatng the value OF our institutions
as they have como down to from patriotic ances
tore all the ability which possess will be exerted 10
maintain and perpetuate them.
No State has interest 10 the preservation and
welfare the linton than New York and 10 city il more
deeply concerned Ia securing that object than your
great emporium OF trade and commerce. Neither the
city the state Afford TO cccury a position other
than that Of resoute aud support Unon
IN the great contest wherein the life aud integrity
nation are imperilled. II is unnecessary to argue
the question. 1he rebellion be put down
the American Union must be preserved and the gt eat
Empire state Will be- as she should be- constant aud
vesred In rendering assistance In the accomplishment OF
these results.
This understand TO be the verdict OF the peopls at the
recent election Whatever else has been decided think
there question that they desire integrity of the
aud the lite OF the nation to be preserved for
selves aud posterty And may add that II viii afford
the highest honor and satisfaction TO give effect
far lies 10 my power, 10 their patriotic
Thanking you gentlemen, for your warm assurances Of
personal and public regard remain, very respectfully
yours, u. T. FENT0N.
Hon. GEORGE 0PDYTE, and others, New YORK city.