I receive your congratulations, my fellow-citizens, as friends, and not as politicians. I need not, however, disguise the fact, for it has not been disguised by my eloquent friend who has welcomed me, that it has been my fate to fill the highest office in the gift of this great Republic; and I cannot doubt that the fact had much to do in producing the vast congregation I now see before me, and in prompting this pleasing demonstration on my return among you. Indeed, I can account for it in no other way. It is true, I did hope there were those who had an affectionate regard for me in the city of my residence; but could I ever conceive that I should be the recipient of such congratulations as these that I should behold such a sight as this on my return?

My friend who has so eloquently addressed me, has made reference to my early history; I trust, therefore, that I may be pardoned for the apparent egotism of alluding myself to that subject. My career has been quite as miraculous and mysterious to myself as it can be to any other. I came to this city thirty-five years ago, a boy-a mere stripling-for the purpose of finishing my education, and fitting myself for the practice of the law. When I had received my diploma, I had not the confidence to commence my career here. I saw men around me in the profession, of marked ability and distinguished position, and I must confess that a want of confidence in myself deterred me from entering the professional arena with such competitors. I went, therefore, into a village to pursue my occupation of the law. I labored there as long as Jacob did for Rachel, and then I ventured back to the city. From that day to this my fortunes, my fellow-citizens, have been bound up in yours; and if anything in my subsequent career has reflected honor upon myself, it has reflected the same honor upon you.

There is one recollection that above all others is prized by me. Although I have often been a party candidate for public office, and opposed, and very properly opposed, by those who hold political opinions different from my own, it is due to them, as well as to myself, to say that while I have

represented you all for eleven years in legislative bodies, no act that I ever did-no vote that I ever gave-received the censure of my political opponents. It is due to them to say that I feel gratitude to them in my heart; and that this consideration formed no little inducement to me to return to Buffalo, where I shall probably end my days.

Your eloquent chairman has alluded to the fact that I have been travelling for some time in a foreign country. It has been my fortune, or misfortune, while there, to see royalty on several occasions, when it has called forth such enthusiasm as it can command; but you must pardon me for saying that though I have heard the cheers given to order, and the music made to command, that mark such demonstrations there, I yet feel prouder at this spontaneous expression of a people with whom I have spent thirty years of my life, than I should to be received as Queen Victoria was received in Paris by the French nation. I regard this, my friends, as the proudest day of my life. I feel, indeed, so overwhelmed by your kindness that I can scarcely give utterance to my feelings. Exhausted as I am by a week of continued excitement, following close upon a fatiguing seavoyage, I can only say to you that you have my cordial, grateful thanks for the warm-hearted reception you have given me; and next to my gratitude to that Divine Providence that has guided me in my journey, and brought me safely to its end, is my gratitude to you, my fellow-citizens, who have made my return to my home so doubly pleasant.

May heaven bless you all, and reward you as you deserve, and may I be permitted to remain with you until I sleep here the sleep of death; for to you, and to you alone, my friends and fellow-citizens, I trust my reputation and my happiness hereafter.