n convention at Louisa,
sent to him this address:--

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY,--As your advancement to the
honorable and important station as governor of this
commonwealth affords us unspeakable pleasure, we beg leave
to present your excellency with our most cordial
congratulations.

Your public virtues are such that we are under no temptation
to flatter you. Virginia has done honor to her judgment in
appointing your excellency to hold the reins of government
at this truly critical conjuncture, as you have always
distinguished yourself by your zeal and activity for her
welfare, in whatever department has been assigned you.

As a religious community, we have nothing to request of you.
Your constant attachment to the glorious cause of liberty
and the rights of conscience, leaves us no room to doubt of
your excellency's favorable regards while we worthily demean
ourselves.

May God Almighty continue you long, very long, a public
blessing to this your native country, and, after a life of
usefulness here, crown you with immortal felicity in the
world to come.

Signed by order: JEREMIAH WALKER, _Moderator_.
JOHN WILLIAMS, _Clerk_.

To these loving and jubilant words, the governor replied in an
off-hand letter, the deep feeling of which is not the less evident
because it is restrained,--a letter which is as choice and noble in
diction as it is in thought:--

TO THE MINISTERS AND DELEGATES OF THE BAPTIST CHURCHES, AND
THE MEMBERS OF THAT COMMUNION.

GENTLEMEN,--I am exceedingly obliged to you for your very
kind address, and the favorable sentiments you are pleased
to entertain respecting my conduct and the principles which
have directed it. My constant endeavor shall be to guard the
rights of all my fellow-citizens from every encroachment.

I am happy to find a catholic spirit prevailing in our
country, and that those religious distinctions, which
formerly produced some heats, are now forgotten. Happy must
every friend to virtue and America feel himself, to perceive
that the only contest among us, at this most critical and
important period, is, who shall be foremost to preserve our
religious and civil liberties.

My most earnest wish is, that Christian charity,
forbearance,