Daily National Intelligencer

MR. DEXTER'S LETTER.

If a doubt has hitherto existed of the patriotic and Republican sentiments of the Hon. SAMUEL DEXTER, as some of the Aristocracy have affected to believe, the following letter written by him in answer to the Committee of the Republican Convention, appointed to announce to him his nomination, must forever dissipate all hopes on one side or apprehensions on the other. The sentiments it contains, are worthy of the elevated and independent spirit, which dared to assert the principles of Republican government, in the midst of an assembly whose passions, stimulated by artful and popular leaders, were ready to betray their country and themselves into a furious civil war, destructive of the Constitution and of the Federal Union.

Bost. Chronicle

Washington, Feb. 3, 1816.

GENTLEMEN:

I have had the honor to receive your favor of the 25th ult. and should have answered immediately, had not the occasion suggested thoughts, that seemed to require some consideration: Heretofore I have not been called on in so formal a manner for a deliberate assent to being nominated as Governor, nor has there been any probability that the choice would fall on me. Whether there be any prospect of this at the ensuing election, I am not in a situation to judge. But should I ever be thus honored, it would be my effort to be strictly just and impartial; yet it is easy to see that the utmost scrupulosity in this respect, would not give universal satisfaction to any party. However honest, they will differ in opinion. For the repeated proofs of confidence I have received from the respectable citizens, whom you represent, they are entitled to my thanks. I owe to them sincerity in return. Permit me then to say, it is a leading principle with me that the duty which every citizen owes his country requires that he should support that administration of civil government, which they choose to appoint, in all measures which his unprejudiced understanding does not show to him to be wrong; and consequently that every combination for general opposition is an offence against the Community. At the same time I shall ever claim and exercise the right of examining freely all public measures, and openly expressing, with candor and decorum, my dissent from such as in my judgment may tend to mischief. With this explanation, I consent that the gentlemen whom you represent should announce me as their candidate for the office of Governor.

Be pleased to accept my thanks for your obliging expressions of personal regard, and believe that the testimony of my countrymen's approbation is rendered more valuable by the merit of the committee who have presented it. I have the honor, &c.

SAMUEL DEXTER.

To Benjamin Greene,
George Blake,
Thomas Kittridge,
Mark Langdon Hill—and
Timothy Fuller, Esq'rs. Committee.