MR. CLAY's LETTER,

In reply to lis Committee ePPointed at ths late meeting at MasOaic Hall to address hina.

 WAsHrNcToN, Sth June, 1855.
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 receipt of a letter, which, as Committee ap- | pointed at meeting of my political friends recently convened in the city of New YorK, you addressed to me, transmitting copy oi their proceedings, and in pursuance oi one of the resolutions, inviting me to WISH tnat city, and to pass through the State oI Ne"- York to Buffalo, upon my return home, alicr the terminataiOn of the present session of

 i have perused the proceedings ofthe meet ing with the liveliest feelings of gratitude and request you, gentlemen, to convey to those who composed it, my cordial thanks, and respectful Acknowledgements, for their friendly consideration of me. Whilst feel highly gratiied by the sentiments ot attach ment, confidence, and preference, with an ex. pression of which the meeting has honored me, think that it has wisely referred the designation of suitable candidate for the office of President of the U. s. to the consld- eYation and impartial decision of National Convention. Such an assemblage, repre- senting all parts of the U. s. and fairly con- stituted, will embody the opinions and best express the sense of the whole opposition to the present administration of the General Government. It will reconcile differences, promote harmony, and secure hearty cooper ftion among those who are engaged in the patriotic cause of struggling to bring back the Government to it's former purity, to heal the wounds in the Constitution, and to restore the prosperity of the country. ,o should be most happy to find myself un- der circumstances which would admit ot my acceptance of the friendly invitation to visit your State. Tam sure that every where, on a tour so agreeable, should meet with the greatest kindness and hospitality, and behold in the virtue, intelligence and enterprlze of the People of New York, in the noble works of internal improvements which adorn Its ter ritory, and in the fruitful soil with which Providence has blessed it, abundant elements for repairing the temporary injuries inflicted by. the errors and experiments ofthe Federal Executive. tf@ st&t

 But feel constrained to deny myself the satisfaction of contemplating these pleasing scenes. After an absence from my home, which has already extended to nigh eight

 months, am naturally most anxious to reloln my family without any unavoidable delay. might content myself with the assignment of this simple reason, but have other and higher motives which candor requires should communicate. for declining to accept your obliging invitation. 9

 Although am not in fact candidate for any office, Tam aware that my name IS free ly used in connection with the highest in the gift of the American People. Whilst it is thus subject of consideration, have thought it best becomes me to remain in an attitude perfectly passive, doing nothing with the ln- tention of attracting the current of public feeling to me, nothing to disturb or affect'the free and unbiased judgment ofthe People, have accordingly acted in strict conformity with this conviction of my duty-I have visited Iioplace, and shall visit no place,with the view of promoting my own personal advancement. Considerations both principle and conven- fence, have induced me to adopt this resolu- ton. know that sentiments of personal esteem and regard for me, for which am very thankful, apart from political motives, have prompted the invitation with which you have favored me; but if were to accept it. no matter under what protestations or pro fessions, it would be believed, whether justly or not, that it had other objects besides social intercourse and an examination of the inex- haustible resources of your great State. The same or similar reasons with which might be induced 10 visit New York would be urg- ed to prevail on me to go to other portions of the Union. How could discriminate? What limit should prescribe? There would be physical impracticabity to go to every in1- portant point of the Union, which l might be pressed, or prompted by the impulse of my own feelings to visit.

 The office of President ofthe United States isofa nature exalted ,and its functions are so rnomentous that it ought not to be, and hap, oily never can be, reached by individual ef- forts to acquire it.

 It should only be bestowed by the free, spontaneous and deliberate judgment of the people, When so conferred, it is more hon. orahle to them and 10 the distinguished ob- ject of their choice. Thus receiving it, he will upon the career of its arduous du- ties, conscious that he has attained the ele- vated station by no low or unworthy arts, and, overfiowing with gratitude, will dedicate all his abilities and his undivided energies, to the honor, and the prosperity and glory of his country. fs&f

 Such, gentlemen, are the views which I should entertain if were formal candi- date, and the sole candidate of the cause to which am attached. Far from being weak ened, they appear to mo to possess addition. al strength when we survey the actual state of the question to whichthey relate. The Wings have not yet determined on their candidate. They are now deliberating about it, consult ing among themselves in their primary and other assemblies, as they have right to do, and resolved to hold great family consult tation in December, 1889. Other gentlemen, of feminentabilities. of distinguished services, and of acknowledged patriotism, are justly and properly and prominently in their view, and under their consideration.

 Whilst this preliminary question is in progress of an amicable adjustment, feel thatit would not be right for me tomake any personal exertions, or even to be placed in situations in which it might be supposed that was making personal exertions, to withdraw from them the confidence so justly due to them as our common friends, and fix it ex- clusively upon myself. In announcing this rule of conduct for myself, it is foreign from CTS, or to intimate any dissatisfaction with whatever line they may consider it proper f0 nnlrslsa