lowing
reply:

"Gentlemen:--I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt, by the
hands of Wm. E. Dodge, late president of the Chamber of Commerce
of New York, of your letter of the 17th instant, covering a resolution
of your body, asking me to sit for my portrait to be placed upon
the walls of your Chamber.

"The kinds words of Mr. Dodge in delivering the resolution add
greatly to the compliment contained therein. I assure you that I
deeply appreciate the honor of being designated in this manner, by
a body so distinguished as the one you represent, composed of
members having so large an influence in the commercial transactions,
not only of our country, but of other nations, whose familiarity
with financial and commercial subjects gives to its opinions great
respect and authority.

"The resumption of specie payments has been brought about by the
co-operation, not only of many Senators and Members of Congress,
but of the leading merchants, bankers and other business men of
the country. It was my good fortune to be selected, by my colleagues
in the Senate, to present the resumption act, which was framed with
their aid and in their councils, and to hold my present office at
the time when, by its terms, the law was to be enforced. The only
merit I can claim is the honest and earnest effort, with others,
to secure the adoption of the policy of resumption, and to have
executed the law according to its letter and spirit. I feel that
I cannot accept this high compliment, without acknowledging that
I am but one of the many who have contributed to the accomplishment
of this beneficent object.

"I will, with great pleasure, give every facility to any artist
whom you may select to carry your resolution into effect.

"Expressing to you, and the gentlemen you represent, my appreciation
of a compliment so highly prized, I have the honor to be,

"Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
"John Sherman.
"Messrs. A. A. Lone, James M. Brown, Sam'l D. Babcock, Wm. E. Dodge,
Henry F. Spaulding, _Committee of the Chamber of Commerce, New
York_."

Subsequently, in compliance with this request, I gave to Mr.
Huntington, an eminent artist selected by that body, a number of
sittings, and the result was a portrait of great merit, which was
placed in the Chamber of Commerce with that of Alexander Hamilton.
I regarded this as a high compliment from so distinguished a body
of merchants, but I do not indulge in the vanity of a c