WE beg leave to address you in the simple style of freemen; and in the name of the citizens of Lansingburgh, to congratulate you on your arrival at our infant settlement.

Fully impressed with a sense of your patriotism, we embrace this opportunity of expressing our gratitude for your unwearied exertions through the struggles of an oppressive war, and your eminent services as a statesman and minister at home and abroad.

Our respect for your character in the dignified office of Chief Justice of the United States, and our regard for your person as a man possessing the confidence of the people, give us a most lively hope of shortly embracing you as the Chief Magistrate of this State. Nor can we refrain on this occasion from expressing our sincere regret and resentment at the palpable prostitution of those principles of virtue, patriotism and duty which has been displayed by a majority of the canvassing committee, in the wanton violation of our most sacred and inestimable PRIVILEGES, in arbitrarily disfranchising whole towns and counties of their Suffrages.

It was, perhaps, little contemplated, that the constitution of this state, which you had so great a share in framing, should, in the first instance, to your prejudice, be in so flagrant a manner VIOLATED.

However desirous we may be of seeing you fill the office of Governor of this state, we only wish it from the free SUFFRAGES OF A MAJORITY OF ELECTORS: that Majority you have, and tho’ abuse of power may for a time deprive you and the citizens of their right, we trust the sacred flame of Liberty is not so far extinguished in the bosoms of Americans as tamely to submit to wear the shackles of Slavery, without, at least, A STRUGGLE TO SHAKE THEM OFF. With the highest respect we are your devoted friends and very Humble Servants,

C. LANSING,		Committee.1
D. LANE,
C.SELDEN,
J. DOLE,
J.D. DICKENSON,

To which he made REPLY:

To the gentlemen of the Committee.
GENTLEMEN,

PERMIT me to request the favor of you to present to my fellow citizens of Lansingburgh, my warm and sincere acknowledgments for the honor they have done me on this occasion; and to assure you, gentlemen, that the manner in which you have conveyed their sentiments, adds to the satisfaction which they inspire. Their approbation encreases the pleasure with which I reflect on my endeavors to serve the cause of Liberty and my Country; that cause in which their ardor and their firmness have been distinguished.

The various bounties of Heaven to the people of this state have afforded them abundant reasons for gratitude, harmony and content; and every event is to be regretted, that tends to introduce discord and complaint. Circumstanced as I am in relation to the one you mention, I find myself restrained by considerations of delicacy from particular remarks. The citizens of the state know the value of their Rights; and it is to be expected, as well as sincerely to be wished, that their efforts to assert and maintain them, will on every occasion, be marked by temper and moderation, as well as by constancy and zeal.

In whatever station or situation I may be placed, my attachment to my country will remain unabated; and I shall always be happy in opportunities of evincing my respect and best wishes for the citizens of Lansingburgh.