Dear Friends:—I received through your committee, accompanied by
Dr. Russ, your resolutions of the 13th of February, 1852, commendatory of my course while agent for Discharged Convicts.
My bodily indisposition has prevented an earlier acknowledgment.
The kind, friendly, and affectionate manner in which you have been pleased to express yourselves on this occasion, excited emotions which I found it difficult to repress.
The approbation of those with whom I have long labored in a deeply interesting and arduous concern, I value next to the testimony of a good conscience.
Multiplied years and debility of body admonish me to retire from active life as much as may be, but my interest in the work has not abated.
Much has been done, and much remains to be done.
In taking a retrospect of my intercourse with you, I am rejoiced to see that the great principles of humanity and Christian benevolence have risen above and overspread sectarian prejudice, that bane of Christianity, and while each has been allowed to enjoy his own religious opinions without interference from his fellows, we have labored harmoniously together for the promotion of the great object of our Association.
May He who clothes the lilies, feeds the ravens, and