Martinsburg Gazette And Public Advertiser

Nehemiah R. Knight has been unanimously re-elected by the Legislature of the State of Rhode Island a Senator in Congress, to serve six years from the 4th of March next.

Two other gentlemen, Messrs. Burges and Searle, were also spoken of as candidates, both of whom, however, declined. From the former gentleman the following letter was received by the Chairman of the meeting which was held at the State House on Thursday evening preceding the election:

PROVIDENCE, October 30th, 1828
Hon. Nathan F. Dixon:

Sir: I wish you to inform the meeting of which you are Chairman, this evening, that I am no longer a candidate for the office of Senator of the United States. My relinquishment of all the interest I may have in the good wishes and efforts of my friends, is made in favor of our mutual friend, the Hon. Mr. Knight. This course has been taken by me, not because I did not duly appreciate the high honors of that office, but because I would not permit my wishes to come in conflict with those of Mr. Knight, and because I did not feel myself justified in hazarding any disunion of the friends of our great national interests, for any benefit peculiar to myself. I do not wish to disguise the fact that I have been desirous to serve my country in the distinguished office now in question. Every man must feel that it might fairly fill the wishes of a most honorable ambition; and to me it appeared that the high and arduous duties of it would, if any thing earthly could, call me into such a course of labors as might leave me less time to think on my own peculiar condition.

I have the honor to be, with high respect,
Your obedient servant,
TRISTAM BURGES.