LETTERS RECEIVED FROM INVITED GUESTS. The following letters were received by the Committee on Invitations of the Sullivan Centennial, and by the Waterloo Re-union Committee, from invited guests. Most of them appeared in the very interesting number of the Waterloo Observer, issued on the morning of the Celebration—and were not, therefore, read during the exercises at the grand stand: FROM HIS EXCELLENCY, LUCIUS ROBINSON, GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK. EXECUTIVE CHAMBER, ALBANY, N. Y., August 30th, 1879. Dear Sir: The Governor is in receipt of your kind. invitation to attend the Centennial Celebration of General Sullivan's campaign against the Indians of Western New York, to be held at Waterloo, on September 3rd. He directs me to return to you and your committee, his most cordial acknowledgments for your courtesy in forwarding the invitation, and to convey his expression of sincere regret, that public engagements for the date fixed, will prevent his acceptance. Cordially Yours, DAVID C. ROBINSON, Private Secretary. FROM HON. EDWARD SULLIVAN. BOSTON, MASS., September 1st, 1879. Dear Sir:-At the last moment, I find it impossible for me to attend your Centennial Celebration on the third instant, owing to ill health, and press of business. I have been looking forward, with a great deal of pleasure, to the time when I should meet you and thank you and your associates, for the honor paid to my greatgrand-father. Although obliged to abandon that pleasure, you will have with you, my most earnest wishes, for the success of your Celebration. With many thanks for your kindness and with regrets that I am unable to be with you, I remain, yours very truly, E. SULLIVAN. FROM CHIEF JUSTICE CHURCH, Of the New York Court of Appeals. ALBION, July 28th, 1879. Dear Sir:-I beg to thank you and your committee for the honor of an invitation to the Centennial Celebration of General Sullivan's Campaign against the Indians in 1779, but official duties will probably prevent my attend ance. The reminiscences revived, and the patriotic impulses inspired, by this and similar celebrations, throughout the country, cannot but exert a beneficial influence upon the feelings and sentiments of the American people. They tend to keep in grateful remembrance the heroic struggles of those who achieved our independence, and to insure a more tenacious adherence to the principles which lie at the foundation of constitutional liberty. Truly yours, S. E. CHURCH. FROM HON. CLARKSON N. POTTER, in NEW YORK CITY, September 1st, 1879. Gentlemen:-I have the honor to acknowledge your vitation to be present at the Centennial Celebration of General Sullivan's campaign against the Indians,and his march through Seneca County. I greatly regret that it will not be in my power to assist at this commemoration of the patriotic services of the brave men of the Revolution. We do well to commemorate the days of danger and trial and suffering in which, under circumstances very different from our own, our fathers laid the foundation of government. We shall do well also to realize how wisely they builded; to imitate their care and thoughtfulness and virtue; and under the changed conditions of the times to apply their principles to existing circumstances. Wishing your interesting celebration the fullest success, I remain, gentlemen, your obedient servant, CLARKSON N. POTTER. FROM HON. ERASTUS BROOKS. WEST NEW BRIGHTON, STATEN ISLAND, Gentlemen:-It would give me very great pleasure to at tend the Celebration at Waterloo, on the third of September, but a previous engagement at Elmira and Newtown will consume all the spare time I can command. The Sullivan Campaign was the most interesting event of the year 1779, and has caused more comment than almost any other transaction of the war of the Revolution. It is eminently proper to commemorate the event in your county and town; and I sincerely hope your Centennial Celebration will prove one of those landmarks which, while it will bind the present to the past in hospitable memories, will also foreshadow a happy and prosperous future for your own county, and for our common state and country. Very cordially yours, ERASTUS BROOKS. FROM HON. RICHARD O'GORMAN. NEW YORK CITY, August 26, 1879. My Dear Sir:-Please accept my acknowledgment of your kind invitation to be present at the Centennial Celebration of General Sullivan's campaign in 1779. I had indulged the hope that I might be able to join with you in commemorating the gallant deeds of patriots of old, whose services we are too apt to forget. To a people that lives so much in an active, eager, bustling present, as we do, an occasional reminder that our country had a heroic past, in which men lived simple, brave and unselfish lives--is especially valuable. But engagements, from which I cannot disentangle myself, hold me here,and I must content myself with wishing you all possible success. Believe me to be, my dear sir, yours truly, FROM GENERAL JAMES MCQUADE. Grand Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, Department of New York. NEW YORK CITY, September 1, 1879. My Dear Sir:-I have just returned from a week's absence, and find your invitation to attend the Sullivan Centennial Celebration. I regret that it will not be possible for me to attend. I should be very glad to participate in any celebration calculated to recall the memory of the sturdy revolutionary heroes, whose achievements are apt to be overlooked in the stupendous military operations of the recent war. In our admiration for the luxuriant oak, we are apt to forget the acorn. With thanks for your invitation, believe me, truly yours, JAS. MCQUADE. FROM BENSON J. LOSSING, THE HISTORIAN. Author of the "Field Book of the Revolution," &c. "THE RIDGE," DOVER PLAINS, N. Y., August 9th, 1879. My Dear Sir:—I have just returned home, after an absence for some time, and find here your kind invitation to participate with you and the citizens of Seneca County, in the Centennial Celebration of General Sullivan's campaign against the Indians of Western New York. I cordially thank you for the honor of the invitation, and regret that imperative engagements at that time will permit my being with you on that interesting occasion, only in spirit and sympathy. It is our duty, as well as privilege, to take proper oc |