The New York herald., 1870-03-09
EX-SECRETARY SEWARD.

The Chamber Of Commerce Congratulate
Hin-TLe Decline of American Commerce
PolSed Under MIR. Stewards Nose.
At room No. al In the AstOr House the committee
appointed by the Chamber OF Commerce to wait
upon MIR. Seward and present him with Q copy OF
the resolutions adopted by that body assembled yes
terday afternoon, little before two O'Clock. Mr..
seward, looking extremely well and in company
with Messrs. Conxling and Bussell, members Of tho
committee entered the room few moments later A
round OF introductions followed, the venerable ex
Secretary exhibiting his customary afYability Of
manner and vivacity Of conversation az though no
were Q man twosc0re years younger. Mr.. W. q.
lodge President OF the Chamber, stepped forward
to offer hts own congratulations ana those OF tho
distinguished body over which he presideS
at finding Mr.. Seward once more among them
after all his many years Of arduous service
He spoke Of the happiness it gave them to see hum
home again. He alluded to our relations Of q COM
merc ia character with other countries and how our
commerce had suffered In the recent rebellion; bus
he trusted that restrictions would be removed,
that we would soon become owners Of vessels and
no longer be mortified by having all our carrying
trade done in foreign bottoms. He Thought II our
merchants were allowed to buy wherever they could
do so cheapest our commerce would receive new
impulse and would soon revive.
Mr.. Dodge concluded by saying:-"Wnlle you have
grown stronger BY your travels the country has be-
come stronger by your representation. Once more
let me congratulate you and present you with COPY
OF our resOluti0ns.n
Here Mr.. Dodge presented Mr.: Seward with .
Handsomely engrosssd COPY Of the resolution; IONS
holding the paper In his hand he returned thanks -
fOlOwS:-
This visit Of the Chamber does me honor and
thank you for It, think the record Of your society
should give you tears for your future usefulness
You have always stood free and untrammelled, not
more In times OF peace than IN times OF CIVIL war.
and am happy TO think that IN my retirement you
cherish for me the same kindly feelings you always
have. Geptiemcn. i sympathize with you In
reference to the present depression In our COM
merce, but thts 10 no time to enter upon lengthy
discussion OF such q question: But depend upon tr
we have the same energy and capital that we had
and redeem ourselves, and In this no nation can
eclipse One cause for the present STATE OF things
can plainly see, and tnat Is our vast internal I'm
provements. In single year we nave built four
thousand miles OF railroads, and while this ts being
done commerce IL forgotten. The great shipyard
Of the world Is on The Pacific coast. There are
inexnaustible mines, extensive forests that will
Outlass time. These are all accessible, and the
great roads now building make them all the more
valuable. They are building roads from Puget's
Sound to San Francisco. and from thence roads Will
soon constructed that Will penetrate into Mexico
and all these things point directly to New York. and
will In time increase her commerce. have seen no
community people In all my travels that do not
capital and labor and the great avenues of trade
now nbeing constructed bring US nearer to them,
and New York ls the place to be benefited.
As Mr.. Seward finished speaking the gentlemen
present shook hands with him and after few mo
ments' conversation departed.