WATERTOWN, 20th Jone, foov. Gentlemen -—I have received your letter of the ath instant, requesting me on behalf of the Young Men’s Asca- clatien of Gireeriedd, to jom them inthe approaching cele- bration of the ith July “I feel myselfunder great obhiga- tions to you tor this mvitation; but a3 the Executive Coua- eit holds a.stated quarterly session, in the first week of Jo- ly, it weald be ont ofmy power to leave Boston at that tume. Yoa will be pleased to accept my thanks for the favera- ble esiimate, you are hind encugh to place on my public sesvices. Iudividually, I can claim 50 mert, but that of having zealously exerted myself to serve the Common- wealth.to the bestof my ability. But it may be justly cl2imed for the course of policy, estabhshed by all the branches of the Government under my respected prede- cessors, and not huowingly departed trom by me, that it has emmently promoted the prosperity and sustamed 1he ebaracter ef tie Commoawealth. ‘The greater part_of the most important public concerns is within the exclusive ju- nsdiction of the general Government; aud Massachusetts, in common with her sister States, has of late years suffer- ed deeply from causes not within her own control. But in every thing within the sphere and reach of tie State Gor- | ernment, it may be troly aitirmedthat hr citizens have for many sears enjoyed aud are now enjoy ing & lange a share of prosperity. as falls 10 the lot of Man. “The nch mbent- aace of blessings received from our forefathers has been faithfully adminttered; andthe pure principles of represen- | tative republican government, which they transmitted io us have been steadsly adhered to. _A liberal and enlightened | spint ot reform kas pervaded our legislation” the statute | Yaw has been revised and sone of ity harsher provisions | softened, and a commencement bas been made of reducing , the cemmoa law so far as crimes and punishments are con- cemed, to a un form and written text. ‘Phe culture of the soil has been encouraged; the natural resources of the Commons ealth have been explored aud developed; aad our territory, for the first time, has been suientifeally sur- veyed, The buildings requisite to the improved peniten- tuary discipling have been erected at the State's prison; the State Lunave Hospital has been founded and. supporied; other institutions ofa most beneficial characicr,—ho-p tals, asylums, and infirmaness—have been hberally patromzed by the State; a productive School fund Las been establish- ep, and the public countenance especially extended to the cause of popular education. Not only bave these and sari- ous otber objects of public utility been effected,"within the last few y cars, without recourse to taxauion. but the usual direct tax, which had been levied from the settlement of the Country, has ceased to be Jaid; while, at the same trme, the support of the courts of probate, a considerable portion ofthe expenses of the admunsiration of justice, and, the expense of Iegi-tation, (all of winch were 1ormerly charged upon the peo;-le, the last named article Lemg at the pre- sent tine by far the heat test stem of pubhe expenditure) have been defrayed from the Treasury. But the most unportam feawre of the pohey whieh has prevailed of late years, remains tobe stated. The credit ofthe Commonyealti: bas beea judiciously and efheiently appl ed in aid of the cuusurucvos of rail roads Ware wit soon establish a direct counzcuion for business and travel, between the Western shores of Lake Michigan and the sea-coast of Mzssachusetts. In tno cr three sears, Wwe shall have direct acs: to wnat vast system of commuaica- uon, natural and artificial, witch exists tu New York and the Siates aud Territories North-West cf te Olio, to an extent unequalled ou the surface of the globe. The ac- | complisbment of this object will form an era in thé history | of we Commonwealth, No anticipations have as yet been formed at all adequate to its importanee. 11 will be : felt in the increased prosperity of every section of the , State, and will mfuse rev life mto every branch of our m- dustry, Sy the constriction of the Western Rail Road ead the Jateral branches already in progress or contempla- uon, (one of which will unquesuonably pursue the ime of | Coanecticut river,) Massachusetis will reap ber share of the fruit of the stupendous appropmauons for Canals aud | Rasl Roads and of the immcuse caprtal mvested im steam } navization oa the lakes,;—by New York and the States and termtories West of ler. as largely as if those appro- pratuons aud investments had been made from our ewn | Weasury, on a plan projected by ourselves. By the tnan of the State’s credit to the amount of four or five millions of dollars, (the rmmedsate effect of whehisim a tagh de- gree beneficial, in applymg that amount of foreign capital to the employment and reward of domest.c labor ana m- dastry,) We connect ourselves wih a system of pubi: werks on which vol less than seventy-five millions of dol- Jars will hare been cxpeaded. All this 1 effected withont taxatiod; without imposing we buriten ofa dollaron the veople of the Commonn ealth, and such, | am rejoiced to Say, 1s the rehrance placed in Europe on the siatnhty of our eouncils, on our resources, and our good faith, that, not- withstand.og the altlempt made an.oag us, (thoughtlessly I trust,) for party purposes, to shahe the public credit, by statements of the Saanera! cona.tcu of the Commonwealth utterly Jestitute of truth, the Stochs of Mu-sachiusetts con- tinue to command tbe highest price paid for Amencan se- eunties in London. ‘This prosperous condition of the Commonwealth is well adapted to awahen devout thankfulness to Providence, and a grateful remembrance of the services and sacrifices of cur revolutioaary sires. 11 forms a just subject*of con- templation for the day you celeLrate. Deeply regretung that I cannot hase the pleasure of Jistening with you vo the eloquent, accomplished, aid patriotic e.tzen, whom you hare selected as your Orator, and of joining with vou in the rational feyuviues of the occasion. 1 remain, Gen- demen, with great respect, your obliged friend, EDWARD EVERETT.