Gentlemen: [From Hon. LEWIS CASS, Senator from Michigan.] DETROIT, October 21, 1853. I am much obliged to you for the invitation to attend the Festival of the Sons of New Hampshire, to be held at Boston on the second of November, and it would afford me much pleasure to accept it were I not prevented by overruling circumstances. As years pass over me, whatever changes they bring, I do not find that they weaken in the slightest degree my attachment to my native land. It is a never-dying feeling while life lasts, and there is not one of her sons who is more proud of her institutions, and more grateful for all they have done, and especially in the formation of the youthful character, than I am, though an emigrant of the last century from her territory. I am, gentlemen, respectfully, Hon. MARSHALL P. WILDER, and others, Your ob't servant, LEWIS CASS. [From Hon. CHARLES GORDON ATHERTON, Senator from New Hampshire.*] Gentlemen: MANCHESTER, N. H., October 31, 1853. As the time approaches for the Festival of the Sons of New Hampshire, it is with regret that I find myself here, as on a former occasion, immersed in the business of Court, with no prospect of being able to enjoy with you that interesting celebration. Accept my thanks for your kind and complimentary invitation, and believe me, that it is with sincere regret I am obliged to forego the pleasure of being present. I am, gentlemen, with great respect, The Hon. MARSHALL P. WILDER, Committee. C. G. ATHERTON. *Mr. Atherton died November 11th, after a short illness. [From Hon. JOHN P. HALE, Ex-Senator from New Hampshire.] NEW YORK, October 24, 1853. Gentlemen: Your polite invitation to attend the Festival of the Sons of New Hampshire, on the second of November next, at Boston, was received some days since. I am greatly obliged thereby, and if it were necessary for me to attend to assure you how highly I appreciate the honor you have done me, I certainly should do so, though at considerable inconvenience. If I were to fail in cherishing a most lively recollection of my native State, of the friends whom I have left there, and of those who have gone from thence, both the living and the dead, I should not only show myself destitute of the ordinary attributes of humanity, but should manifest the grossest ingratitude for the signal manifestations of kindness and regard which those friends have literally showered upon me in past years. But it is not necessary for me, I am sure, to endeavor to prove to you, gentlemen, nor to the company who will assemble with you, that I am not "the wretch' "Who never to himself hath said, nor to testify my regard for a land bound to me by so many ties as the State of New Hampshire, whether I consider her as the abode of friends still active on the theatre of life, or the nursing mother of a long list of honored dead, who, in their lifetime always held her in kind remembrance, and whose reputation shall ever illustrate her claim to the eminent regard of the friends of patriotism, liberty and eloquence. But, gentlemen, is there not some mistake in sending me this invitation? I am not a resident of New Hampshire, nor of Boston, nor of Massachusetts, and am possessed of no position, official or any other, which should entitle me to this distinction; but simply a private individual who is being quietly and rapidly submerged in this great mælstrom of life and business, called the city of New York. But whether it be entirely a mistake or not, it will always be pleasant to remember, that before I was entirely buried and utterly forgotten, I was kindly remembered and noticed, last of all, by the sons of New Hampshire. With much respect, Your friend, JOHN P. HALE. Messrs. MARSHALL P. WILDER, and others, Com. of Sons of New Hampshire. Gentlemen: [From Hon. DANIEL S. DICKINSON, Ex-Senator from New York.] BINGHAMPTON, Oct. 28, 1853. It becomes necessary for me to answer your kind note, inviting me to attend the Festival of the Sons of New Hampshire, at Boston, on the 2d proximo, during a protracted and laborious Circuit Court, in which my engagements are incessant, and I must crave your indulgence for the haste. in which it is penned, and for its seeming lack of the true spirit of New England, to which I profess to be no stranger. Circumstances will not permit me to join in the interesting ceremonials, but I thank you for a remembrance so complimentary and generous; and with regards to the assembled sons of that cherished State, I have the honor to be, Sincerely yours, D. S. DICKINSON. Messrs. MARSHALL P. WILDER, and others, [From Hon. JOHN SULLIVAN, Attorney General of New Hampshire.] Gentlemen: EXETER, October 6, 1853. You have done me the honor to address to me a note of invitation to be present at the adjourned Festival of the Sons of New Hampshire, on the second of November next, and to present to me a complimentary ticket of admittance. For these marks of attention please to accept my warmest thanks. It must be the occasion of satisfaction to those who will there assemble, like a band of brothers, after a long interval of separation, to renew their fraternal attachments. It will be interesting to the sons of our State, whether they still reside at home, or whether they have removed to other States, mutually to testify their respect and affection for the place of their birth, the home of their childhood, and mutually to rejoice in each other's welfare. But a shadow will pass over the festivities of the hour, at the mournful reflection that since the last festival our State has lost some of her most distinguished sons, and our country some of her brightest ornaments. Yet it is pleasing to reflect, that although they have passed away, they "still live," and will always live in the memory and in the affections of their countrymen. My official engagements, which are unavoidable, will prevent my participating with you in the enjoyments of the festival. I received the letter of invitation from the committee of which you are Chairman, asking me to be present in the city of Boston on the second day of November next, and then and there to unite with the sons of my native State in the contemplated Festival. Nothing could give me greater pleasure. I had the happiness to be present at the Festival of the Sons of New Hampshire which took place in your city within a few years, when that distinguished statesman, patriot and scholar, the Hon. DANIEL WEBSTER, presided. He has been gathered to his fathers, ripe in years and full of glory. This dispensation must cast a gloom over your meeting. All that survivors can do, is to keep in remembrance his public services which continued for so long a period, and it must be a source of peculiar gratification to those sons of the Granite State who will be present at your Festival, that this great man was with them a native son of New Hampshire. It cannot with truth be said, that among the native sons of our State now residing within the limits of your city there is not enterprise, intelligence, industry, perseverance and true patriotism in full proportion which their numbers bear to the whole population. It would be invidious to designate individuals who have distinguished themselves in their callings. In the first class of your merchants the sons of New Hampshire may be found. Among your mechanics and tradesmen will be found a full share who had their origin in my own native land. And I should be doing violence to my own feelings if I failed to refer to the learned professions in your city, and to your favored university, as furnishing descendants of our soil conferring honor on themselves, regarded as professional men or as scientific professions. It is matter of just pride to the sons of New Hampshire, wheresoever they may be found, that one of their own number now presides over the destinies of this great and glorious confederacy, and that two others among the prominent candidates for the presidency at the last election were born in our own State. I have, my dear sir, nothing further to add, only to say that I find it will be impossible for me to be present at the approaching Festival. I have delayed answering the letter of the committee until now, in the hope that I might make such arrangements as would enable me to be with you, which I so much desire. But that can not be. Engagements in the western part of New York will unavoidably so confine me as to leave me no hope of being in Boston on the coming second November. I am, sir, With every consideration of respect, Hon. MARSHALL P. WILDER, Chairman, and others of the Committee of Invitation, etc. HENRY HUBBARD. [From Hon. J. J. GILCHRIST, Chief Justice of the Superior Court of New Hampshire.] My Dear Sir: CHARLESTOWN, N. H., 14th Oct., 1853. I regret very much that the pressure of my engagements will deprive me of the pleasure of being present at the Festival of the Sons of New Hampshire, on the 2d of November. TO MARSHALL P. WILDER, for the Committee of Invitation, etc. I am, very respectfully, Yours, J. J. GILCHRIST. [From Hon. SAMUEL D. BELL, Justice of the Superior Court of New Hampshire.] Gentlemen: MANCHESTER, October 7, 1853. Your favor, inviting me to attend the Festival of the Sons of New Hampshire at Boston, on the second of November next, is gratefully received. It would afford great pleasure to meet the association upon that occasion. Their ability, intelligence and enterprise, have given them a high place among their fellow citizens of Massachusetts, while success in |