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hardly know what al American states
man should so much deprecate, on his own
account, as well as on account Of has coEn.
try, as that the Constitution Of the Unised
States, now the glory of our country and the
admiration OF the world. should become
weakened in its founda:ions. perverted IN
lis principles or fallen and sunk, 10 nations
regard and a nations hopes. by his own fol
lies, errors or mistakes The Constitution
was made for the good Of the country; his
the people know


It's faithful administration promoted that
good; this the people know. The people
will themselves defend il against all foreign
power. aad open force and they viii right
fully hold to Just and solemn account those,
10 whose hands they commit il, and in whose
hands It shall be found 10 be shorn of SIN
gle beam Of its honor, or deprived o. par.
ticle Of its capacity for usefulness. IL was
made for an honest people, and they expect
Il TO be honestly administered.


a. the present moment. il Is an object Of
general respect, confidence and affection.
Questions have arisen. however, and are
likely 10 rise again, upon the extent of its
powers, or upon the line which separates the
functions Of the General Government from
those Of the State Governments AID those
q suons will require. whenever they may
occur, not only tirmness but much discretion,
prudence and ImpaFtialiiy in the head ofthe
National Executive.


Extreme counse!s or extreme opinions on
either side, If followed or adopted. to break
up the well adjusted balance ofthe whole
A nd he who has the greatest confidence in
his own judgment, or The strongest reliance
G., L
fiIent oc his ability to discharge The duties
Of this trust, In such manner as shall pro-
mote the pu5Iic prosperity or advance his
own reputation.


But, gentlemen, while the office of PreSi-
dent is quite too high to be sought by per-
sonal solicitation, or for private ends and OBJ
iects, il is not TO be declined, if profered by
the voluntary desires of free people,


Ii is now more than thirty wears since you
and your fellow citizens of New Hampshire,
assigned me part in political affairs. My
public conduct, since that period, is known.
My opinions on the great questions now
most interesting TO the country, are known.
The constitutional prime pies which | have
endeavo ed TO naIntain, are also know Ii
these principles aud these opinions, now
not likely TO be materially changed. should
recommend me 10 fnr.her marks Of public
regard and confidence, [ should not with
held myself from compliance with the gen
cial will. But have no pretensions Of my
own 10 bring forward, and trust that no
friends of mine would at any time use my
name for the purpose of preventing harmo-
nv among those whose general political
opinions concur. or for any cause W haicver,
bat Conscientious regard 10 the good of the
country.


1t is obvious, gentlemen. that at the pres
ent moment the tendency of opinion among
those to be represented in the Convention is
generally and strongly set in another direc-
ton. think it my duty. therefore. under
existing circumstances, to request those. who
may ieel la preference for me. not to indug
in that preference nor oppose any obstacle 10
the leading wishes OF political friends or TO
united and cordial efforts for the accomplish
ment ofthose wishes.


The election of the next autumn may in
volve, in general, the same principles, and
the same questions, as belonged to that Of
IS40 The cause, | conceive, to be the true
cause of the country, its permanent prosperi-
", and all It's great interests; the cause OF lis
peace, and is honor; the cause of good gov
ernment, true liberty. and the preservation
and integrity of the Constitution; and none
should despair of its success.


l am gentlemen,


with sentiments of sincere regard.


your obliged and obedient servant,
DANIEL WEBSTER.
To Messrs. John Haven. John p. Lyman,


and other, signers to the above.