Sir, at a meeting of a respectable number of the inhabitants
of Lewisburg and its vicinity, convened in the court house on
the twenty-second instant, it was unanimously determined to
greet your arrival amongst them by some public demonstration
of the respect which they in common with a great portion of
the community, feel towards one of their most distinguished
fellow-citizens. It was therefore unanimously resolved, as the
most eligible means of manifesting their feelings, to request
the honor of your presence at a public dinner to be given at the
tavern of Mr. Frazer, in the town of Lewisburg, on Wednesday the
thirtieth instant.
In pursuance of the above measures, we, as a committee, have
been appointed to communicate their resolutions and solicit a
compliance with their invitation. In performing this agreeable
duty, we cannot but express our admiration of the uniform course
which, during a long political career, you have pursued with so
much honor to yourself and country. Although the detractions of
envy, and the violence of party feeling have endeavored to blast
your fair reputation, and destroy the confidence reposed in you
by the citizens of the United States, we rejoice to inform you,
that the people of the western part of that state which claims
you as one of her most gifted sons, still retain the same high
feeling of respect, which they have always manifested in spite
of the maledictions and bickerings of _disappointed_ editors
and _interested_ politicians. We cannot close our communication
without hailing you as one of the most distinguished advocates
of that system of internal improvement which has already proved
so beneficial to our country, and which at no distant period
will make even these desert mountains to blossom as the rose.
We have the honor to subscribe ourselves, yours with esteem,
J. G. M’CLENACHEN,
JOHN BEIRNE,
JAMES M’LAUGHLIN,
J. A. NORTH,
J. F. CALDWELL,
HENRY ERSKINE.
_White Sulphur Springs, 24th August, 1826._
GENTLEMEN, I have received the note which you did me the honor
on yesterday to address to me, inviting me in behalf of a
respectable number of the citizens of Lewisburg and its vicinity,
to a public dinner at Mr. Frazer’s tavern, on Wednesday next,
which they have the goodness to propose, in consequence of
my arrival amongst them, as a manifestation of their respect.
Such a compliment was most unexpected by me on a journey to
Washington, by this route, recommended to my choice by the
pure air of a mountain region, and justly famed mineral waters,
a short use of which I hoped might contribute to the perfect
reëstablishment of my health. The gratification which I derive
from this demonstration of kindness and confidence, springs,
in no small degree, from the consideration that it is the
spontaneous testimony of those with whom I share a common origin,
in a venerated state, endeared to me by an early tie of respect
and affection, which no circumstance can ever dissolve. In
communicating to that portion of the citizens of Lewisburg
and its vicinity, who have been pleased thus to favor me, by
their distinguished notice, my acceptance of their hospitable
invitation, I pray you to add my profound acknowledgments. And
of the friendly and flattering manner in which you have conveyed
it, and for the generous sympathy, characteristic of Virginia,
which you are so obliging as to express, on account of the
detractions of which I have been the selected object, and the
meditated victim, be assured that I shall always retain a lively
and grateful remembrance.
I am, gentlemen, with great esteem and regard, faithfully, your
obedient servant,