he pole,
or fainting in the unwholesome heat of Florida--I would enable him as
he looks up to that flag to gather hope and strength. It should impart
to him a proud feeling of confidence and security. He should know that
the same emblem of majesty and justice floats over the council of the
nation, and that in its untarnished luster we have all a common
interest and a common sympathy. Then, sir, and not before, will you
have an army or a navy worthy to sustain and to perpetuate the glory
of former days."

Soon after the decision of the court of inquiry exonerating him from
blame or censure General Scott was tendered a public dinner in New
York from leading members of both political parties. He accepted the
invitation, but it was subsequently postponed until about the middle
of May, and before that time it was altogether declined, for reasons
expressed in a note of which a copy follows:

"GENTLEMEN: Early last month I accepted the invitation to a
public dinner which you and other friends did me the honor to tender
me. In a few days the embarrassments of this great emporium became
such that I begged the compliment might be indefinitely postponed.
You, however, were so kind as to hold me to my engagement, and to
appoint a day for the meeting, which is now near at hand. In the
meantime the difficulties in the commercial world have gone on
augmenting, and many of my friends, here and elsewhere, have been
whelmed under the general calamity of the times. Feeling deeply for
the losses and anxieties of all, no public honor could now be
enjoyed by me. I must therefore, under the circumstances, positively
but most respectfully withdraw my acceptance of your invitation.

"I have the honor to remain, gentlemen, with the greatest esteem,
your friend and servant,

"WINFIELD SCOTT."

The subscribers to the dinner, on receipt of General Scott's letter,
called a meeting, Cornelius W. Lawrence in the chair, and unanimously
adopted the resolutions which follow:

"_Resolved_, That in the decision of General Scott to withdraw, for
the reasons assigned, his acceptance of the public dinner designed to
testify to him our high appreciation both of his private and public
character, we find new evidence of his sympathy with all that regards
the public welfare, and of his habitual oblivion of self where the
feelings and interests of others are concerned.

"_Resolved