Newspaper Page Text
1fj-l iii.
ADDRESS OF HENRY* CLAY VO THE PUBLU
Conttum ng rrr/<j/n testimonials tit refutation of th
char^t 3 afunst him, modi 6i/(>knkraL Ani»hi"
* ck«on, touching t ie last !’• evidential 1 lection
I thA ! T nioo When* tb"V arc known, (and several
I • hi a \> I «u<n n *i» var •> « art* of tin coun ty,)
I then ms w ill command unqualified belief—
I'he ex-cllenro of their <liarn i«:r» i* *0 well eslub
inked that a member cf the IIoubm of RuprtF.enin
vus, who will no b" • resumed to be <li<tinted to lies-
ti w on thutn undcscr'i d mcoinium, felt liimpulf cr.11
strained t» bear his 1. *t:mnnv to it. Mr. MrDufli
Memo It wat my intention t* have* published tin* Unit) j n tim II of Ropre8"ntatixcs. on tho detmte of
te-timnn) now laid bof'ie the publu-, man eor.i* r the prop •sitiomi to lefer to a C tnmiti*« llm appeal
lKiiod ; but unavoidable delay, in the collection of it. which I mad on tlie occasion of Mi Kn mer - « ard :
has retarded the execution of that imonti")! The »* | <( ., m . add om* word to tli fnorid* of Mr Cl.iv
letter «d CK-ii' rsI Lata) <Mte, nud other impoiiant d°c- on tinsfl or (and tin rr ar* no mo nbers on hi* fl »or
u.n- n’s.'m\»* ii *en hut Inn ly received, nnd < tin nt, fen whom generally I feel more respect,) I havw b* on
whifb | had it.-st reason to expect) have not yet been inlurmed lliut some of his friends suppose that the
obtained. II C ] “ ...
nmcndmnnt 1 have offered contains somethin# which
is intended to hrui hastily upon them Not so ; not
so. My ohjer t is merely to confine tho cliargoa made
against the honorable speaker to the very words ol
the letter of the gentleman from Pennsylvania
This pmi hut voluntary tr Inite was « xpressed on the
4u* February I8‘25, (see Nat Intelligencer, 5th of the
n line month.) On tlie 31March 1826, more than
thirteen m dint after, when the amendment to the
0 iimy have urigmnlml or I Constitution w .. un- er d...>». on, propping
AbDltESS. 2tc.
lli, •pe net apology to th. public is necs«ary for pro
lei.uug rn It these p.ipos I nrn 'ureixed if nn om
C l* just'fic.alion of the art will not be found in lh.
roast • f’ ever} just and honourable man. It no of
finer of Government shout i not tie too Pt n«it ve, nei
ther sin 11 Id In bo too callous, ts assaults upon hie
character. Wh* n the) relate to the wiadoin « r oxp"
diem v ot muasnrt s which hi may have originated 01 .
supported, lie should sib-mlv r-puse in the e.itidor and! mo'lr of electing & I resid
go»-i. S'"i‘o *>f tue eomuiuiiity. and patiently await tin*; reported to have said
dtvelooomonts of time nnd ■ xpermnee lint if hi*
integrity he vi*wily n«ft*'l"d ; if 1I10 basest nnd most
dislioiimable inotlves for Ins public conduct be ium ri
bed to him; he owes it to the country, Ins friend
11. the same gemleniiiii is
N--w I have the greatest
respect for tli-m» g* ntlcrnen who were the personal
and political friends of Mr Clay in the late e'ee.tion
of Pres.dent ^er , to my ow" personal friends,
there are none, whom I ssltSin molf. highly ** (See
bis family and himself, to vindicate bis cflluinni.itod Ikut. Intelligencer 2d May IH20.) I huso answers
fcpiithtiofi Few men arc so elevated that the *hufitn 1 n, ° ,,n * wnly entitled^to the fullest credit, from the
f calumny cannot rev. h them. Tluvo max securely »»'gl» rcipertabilit v of the characters of those gent c
CMsi to dm iuvuliierublo position vvlm h .hey have at-, »n* », hut deserve grout confidence from tin* fact that
perhaps
uld look down from his j
upon the misaiics and p |,,v, '» end when limy
a even lie bad Ins ei.e ’ Wl .'!.'; | y ^p«>ntf from
U.nrd Tins Unit' d State
pt< die ed but on" man who
lofty height, without unio'in
the ina iceof his aiioriucf ;
hues. |f iht* mat giiNut character of uliarg"*. the ac
f.m •*.)• Wtlli w!ii* ii hey h.ivo bom asver'.cd, or the
pt rs. vernoco v hi h 'u.i nrarhnd their propagation,
could ever autlmii/s an appeal to the public. I think
I may *ruly sny, hat 1 have this nutlmrit) . For three
y »rs I have b»*eu tin ohj.-ct of im essam abutc : i v-
ory art, evt ry species 0! mi«r' j>roRtniutinn luia been
emnloyeil Iga.nsi me The most innuceut arts—arts
n ordiu fy-utial merroursc, and of rofnnion civil*
i , even a ,»isong *»ulu aiii n, havo been iniarupre-
•e it-d rind poivrrted, to inv prejudice, with nil 1111
f.11 ness. Uopi< of l- iiled. Cireuiustniirrs Irivo been
aviuiue j wbicii had no caisiern n, and inlerunrrii
have bum drawn from them vvlncii, had they been
feul,they woohl not have wnwnoted Resides my
•demies ihem«cjv«* hni0 appealed to tho public, ex
bib.ted llieir charges, and summoned their witnu-sscH
toitsifir Ready now and anxious ns lam, and nl
way* l.»v- beco, to submit any act of mv publu
lif tea loll examination heii.ru :iii) unparti <1 ,md res
f tectuh'e tribunal wh ilever I smrlv may ' Xpert, lit
east, tli.it I siiall bo pnlicnrjy heard by that which
my orciis«rs hav« themselves selected, I assure llieui
li*u: I will present no plua to the juim'Im t t>.
Rut desirous as I naturally „rn lofcpol thnealum
hies which have been d.rc ted against m. , the pub
lie Would have been spared llm trouble of perilling
pns address, if Gen Ja Ks <n had n d, in tim course
ol he last Spring and Hummer, given to them tin-
open Mij'.tiuii of Ins nauio In his i« tier to Mr Rev
cr!v of the Gth of Juno last, be adorn* lli it, in in'- *
lid lie' to ! they hnvo bticn respectively proparr d by tliempelvcs,
t o # my privdy loathe proposition whn h lie descrihi -
Hu. Iianan, he may hnvo d
jnj i-' ee ; and, in hi* address to tbt public ol* the
I !*th ol July last, giving up 11,0 nurnn of this gentle*
man ns hi* only witness, he repents that his possibly
rna v It ive dono me injustice in a-«sumiiig iny nutlmrit)
l«>r'haf pr >posit-i.n. lie even deign* to hunoruie
w tli n deel irntii-n ol the tih-n ur*- wlmh he will ex
j-on *n"«. if I simuhl ho .ib.o to im <|«iit myself t Mr
R' *Mimn has h .-n Inard hy the public; and, I feel
ju fi -d iii sw.-irriing 'li.it the fir*t impression of tfu*
vv ’c ’lohon wn* a* it h yet hat ol every inti > lligcn >
n 10 1 unbiassed by party preju ’if e, that his tcstiuio-
tt mily 1 xonerated inu,ni"l d« nionstraUid tlint G'*n
Jackson. t » say no m re, had greatly mis • nr ived
th. 1 »nr| • r ofthointerview >twc n hem Aedl’irili. r;
tli t *0 1. r .« any thu g mpr »(.♦ r wa dis lou d by Mr
II mcli ng tin-late I'resulowtial eler.tmn, it afleotud
General J i-’kson nuJ his friend* ••velusively ll«- Imv-
njjndestly injured me,spc« ulntion was'busy when
Mr. nunh in in’s sfntomei.t appoare I. as to tli" c mrs-
whi h tho G01 rtal would pursue, af»« r ii'n gr«t uitmi
•X,-.e*sinns of sympathy with ine. There were not
wanting many peianna who I elruvod that In* ring
rt'inuuity would immediately prompt him publu ly to
Jelrnet his charge, and to repair tho wrong which he
b d done mo. ) did noi parti* ipato in that just ex
pe* taliuii,atii therefore full no disappuintrnurit that
It *.\a* not rent Zed. Whatever other me til.* he may
p »s»i-ss, I have not fiiuud among them, in tho cour-"’
of my relations with him, tfnt of forbearing to in-
d dgn vindicative pnssions. lli* silent contomplution
nl, it not ins po«»»r>**y ucqnn-sunce in, thu most extra
;«r(crprctatiou of Me. llm hanan's stateitK nt,
that ever W4s given to human language, ha* not sur
prised mo If it had been possible for him to rondr 1
me an net ofspontaneous just,. 0, by a frank nnd man*
ly avowal of ins error, the testimony now submitted
to the public might have bio n unnecessary.
Although I fed fully pur-uaded that the commit-
Tuty, un Icrifty peculiar l ii' innst.incc*, will *' v, with-
OIK i!i , .nii , r«nii„n, if no t mill rortiiul npprubMiun.
tin* luitlier ifr»rt to rescue my chainster from unmer
ited imputations, I shouhl m:\erthdess have remained
•d«ot, and cheerfully nlndcil i** derision, on the dis-
.closures and explanatiuriH licretofuru mnde, if I had
no additional facts to « fi'. r to its consideration It .1
n bodv of highly important evidence* has been t«*l
loctnd, ostmyfshing soma matcri tl circums'anccs nut
vbefura gancrally known, end eonfirmiiig others ol
Mvl.Kdi tua public is already in possession ; nnd 1 havo
tli,night it du- to the occasion not t » withhold it
Owi.ii
kson having entirely failed to esialdi«h,by
tin alternative) evidence, «UIkt positive or presump*
tivo, the charge which iiethQugh' proper to protmi!
g ito against me, it oocurcd to’run that it r
, • , mum he pus-
sml.i, ditheull no llic task generally i* to substantintu
u notfntivo, to adduce proof of that character, which
would establish tim groundless naturo of Ins acru a
,, ” n ; "ru>r to lire appe.irnnce 111 the public prints
of thu letter from Mr. Garter Rcvorly to lus friend
in raycttcviJIc, dated the 81I1 of March last, I had
fifivcr believed llrat Guiieral Jickson had counlun
•need t m truth,or lent himself to tho circulation, of
She char.'o
I had indeed, long before, seen in one of the Nash-
*wMo papers, assertion*, injurious to rue, which non-
ted .umo lUiipichiiii ilui i.„, l,«v„ eill /m.ted fr.m.
turn, bin I dismissed these subpicnm* us being alto-
j’e.l'. r mcompaliblu will. My e|,„„,cler winch
tob«l.e.Bll,»iliop,.. a , . % .| When h iwover 1 «;nv
Uist lel.,'1, mid iIk, iineuiiimdii leil cnrrt'bnr.Uinti of
|I9 conicnta bjr Ilia Editor of the Wn.liintti..., Tele
er»j.h,I was rclllrluutly rompelie,I t u b li, ve ll,«t lie
II td always given rurrauev to ili-| Inrg.j ag iinsi me.
i f > that letter, Mr. lleverly sn\« ; -| have just return
ed tr.rm General Jaekson * - -1 found a crowd «.f ruin-
naov with Iu ii. Hevc ri Yirginiuns were of tbo mini
,b- r 41" gave mo a rno»t lin ndly reception, nnd ui-
ged ine to may some days longer with him He told
Sue this morning <>«>4*>r(* till hi- conipany in tcply io a
questn nl .had pm t.) him concerning the election of
John liiinrv A tins to the 1’rcstdcnrv, that Mr.
Clav,* Itiond^.uj .«Ie a pruoosition to his fVn nds that,
it tlicy would prouiMH* for him not to put Mr Adams
into the seat ol Hucretary of State, Clay and In*
fri^nda would in <u»e hour uiake him (Jackson) tl
J msident. lie most iudignantly rejucted tho propo-
•»hon, <nd declared that he would lint compromise
In" el . and unless m<-ro openly and fairly rnadu the
In »ia>ait, by C-Migress. ho wuuki never icceivo it —
lie doelaies thu> he said to thern that f»« would see
!h" whole earth sink under him before ho would bar
g.in or intrigue fur it ” In the Washington Citv Tel
•graph ol the2.Vh day of April last, tho Ldilor state*
In the J,uimaI of tills morning we hnvo anothei
qimtation l.oui the DtinoCiatic ires*, purporting t'
b" th««'llk,,|c,ni aJu-tcn by Mr. Cloy of the stale
fh«-«t ol G» o. Jaekkon nlativcto the over me modi
to h.Mi as m the foundation of his Cabinet, i r -viou*
l^thobte election of r r esidori|. Tlwt Gen. Jar It
a-n has sp..ken of su< h ov« rtnre* ire personal!
i'l?” die same paper of the 2S;h April ts thl-
o .o \ .ug paragraph: “ The J urual is out tins mor-
Th f , !L rc i ,l > lu remarks of Thursdav, in which
_ i - ci to consider it highly improper in General
I, v , , iiiguiy improper in uencral
Ji .li»o.ilo S p,.,«k„l thn overtures modi-by Sir Cluj 's
1V *i,7r' Wh > ? tbo Journal, ho is
i C d , .¥““'*i >lr Adorns fi .w uv slated ox
r. irclv I.,., i:. . t . . - u
tlic Lo
b«,,11, Hl.il
IbtiMxl.i it
in March iri»5 before be was unm,unrod l.y
fiaU.ure ttl ronu.ssoe aa u Candidal... ' 7
I bn el.arfi,' rl ii dui not onvinato will., Imvini to rn
lhu> nnrttouod and c.rcnlniud by U«n J
implicling « well ,ny f.irnds Mw , ( , j
|>...p«r, Imun* mytelf rrpoalc.ll, and poa.tivrl,
■]!* 1,1 'f u,h > *" " “ u « l" Ilio I rat.u, OUT of Ib.-ii', Orn
fl-Tuen from tho West ulu, voted «tUi lor f, r Mr
** „*''“• Alc ‘ r-b»gly a friend of m.ne Dr XVaikiin
»>y instance addiotacrf n cirenl irto ti,rs t .nticto.,
dor.ng the i.rt Spring. .n,h,ng ilie.r Mto,,,,..,, i,„
rayetteTilla letter, and lo^oir.ng il' Iberu wi re no.
r„. . ... ,,, av orra „ uu All j be |, al0 bt Kurd fr .m I,,
«f (brm hut two, noawera whirl, nra now .,ro.ro...
lo too public. Tho unsworn will be found in (be A|.
priulii. (»oe A ) arranged uccufding to il.o rrai.o.nv
HI ^''JOQ cf fl, lugh resprcKbility ai any u
r
without any cunccr- whatever h«» l.ir as I know or lie
ro at their several residences,
cli other.
The members from Ohio vvlio voted for Mr A !-
nrn< wore Gcn M Arthur, Gun Yancn, Gen Ih ech-
nr, Mr Htonn, M« Wiiglit, Mr. Vintun, Mr McLenn,
(brother to tbo Rust MasterGuneial.) Mr ^V liittlc*» y,
Mr. Hartley, and .Mr Riiltor*on From cadi of these
gcnth-inuu it vvll bu that an oxj'li' it and unnual-
ificnj hogni.vots givyn to tin* Mtntomenls of the Fuy-
e tuvillo lute r. G^n. McArthur durlaro* them to ho
“totally destitute of foundation'' lie alleges tho
fact to have been that “ thu Oliiod'do^a'ion (or at le t
n large majority of tfiom)wero the first of Mr. Clay’s
fiends wh" ane to tho duturmimtion of voting for
Mr Ad im* and that too without haomg ascertained
M>' Clay's views on the subject." Iljbl.ro-1fiat sum-
of the frinda of Gen Jackson used the language <>/
menace, whilst oilier* of thorn employed that of per
suasion tu prevail on my friend* to vote lor Genen.l;
and they upponrod to 1) • willing to make any promt
«'•* winch tin y thought “ would induce the I’m n<i.* ••!
Mr Clay to vote for Gen. Jackson "
G* n. Va'ico s'ates, 41 I say with nit husit ition that I
never heard of those, or any other term* being thought
of. a* an equivalent for tho vote wo were about to
give; nor mil b-diove that thu fricn 1.* of Mr. Clay
#r Mr. Clay himself, ever thought of making or sug
gesting uny torm* lo any one of the parties, as the
ground.* ol our nreupitinco nr rejecti >n of oitli- r of
tho threo Candi kite* ruturned to tho H jiiho ol R* .
riHcntativoN ” II • continues : “ a* one of tho ori :i
mil friends of 'Ir. Clay, I was in the habit of true and
unrcs Mvo ' "onvo , .fion both with him and Ira other
frion Is, r-.lat'V to Iii.i> clu» lion, and I him hold to say
t li.it I never heard a whisper of air. thing liken cm
<lition on which our vote was to l»u given, mentioned
oithcr by Mr. (’Iny himself, or any <»F Ins fiio d*, at
any time or under any circumstances "
Gen. Reec hor testifies that fin d.d not 11 know that
n friend or the friend.* of .Mr Clay ovor made any
proposition to the friend* of Gen Jackson, respecting
tfio oluctionof Mr Adam* ns President in nnv way,
nr a* respecting Gen. Gncksun not putting Mr A I
dam* into tho sent of Hucrntary of State in case ho
(Jackson) should bu elected President. Neither am
I nrqmnted with it fi end of Mr Clay that would
consent to ho no agent in mHi a degrading hnrisnr
tno Nn cun I admit that tlio friend* of Mr. Clay
li »d so cnntntnpiihlo .m opinion of each other nr of
M Cl iv, a* t>» suppos- th it tho appointment or n >n
appointment of any man lo any ollioe would influ
ouee ifimn in the «1i*clnrgn of an iinpurtant public
duty."
Mr. Slnann docl.trc*, “ that I have always stippos-
od myself in tlio entire confidence of all Mr. Cliy'a
supporters ami f riend*, who were members of Con
gress nt the time of llm Presidential election ; nnd
th it I have no hesitation in saving that I never heard
tho most distant insinuation from any of ilimn that
they would vote for Gen Jack*"!), if ilioro was any
prospect of choosing either of the other eandtd ites.—
Thai any of the friend* of .Mr day in Congress over
made any proposition of condition, on which tln ir
votes Would depend, to the friends of General Ja< k
son oi any other person, I do not behove."— 44 And
• It* C," S# I trtiMj *n (Ir< tint; <% »• n^ipninlinaMI r /lull,
i l»ev would ton man most ceitamly have opposed it
I judge of this from tlio opinion which I know they
entertained of Gun. Jackson's wuiil of capacity, and
the fact that it wn* not until ho me time after llm choice
of .Mr. Adams that they agreed to advise Mr Clay I
accept of'llm office he now h'dd* ‘‘In short I fe
confident that the whole is a Viloutul lul’im .u* fal-.
hood, sucfi as a Im mrable fii'*U would not resort t
more especially nftcr having upon full consult.ilimi
atid deliberate consideration doelitied .hi ue cstlgali'
of tho whole matter hufi re a Committee of ilm ltou
of Representative*."
Mr. Wiight states, ‘ I ran only sav *inccn ly and
un*"|uiv( rally, Ilia' I do not know or lu lu-vc that any
proposition of llu* kind mentioned a* from Gen J
son, was ever made t > thu friend* of Gen. J u kson by
the ftiend* of Mr. Clay or any of them ; and that I
am wholly ignorant ot* any conditions id’ any sort bo
ing proposed to any one by the friend* of Mr. Clay,
on a complianco with whi' li their vote was inado to
deuend **
Nlr Vinton is equally nxplicit. lie says, having
been nun of llm friends of Air Clay who voted foi
Mr. Adams, I cheerfully avail myself of tin* oppor
tunity to say, that I havo no knowludgo whatever of
the nbnvo nmiiti'mod proposition or any other prnpu
•i*ion fifti ing lu cn made G-men! J.iekaon or any
hi* friends, hy Mr. City or any of liia friend* us
condition upon which his or their vote was to bu ;
von to Gen Jackson fur ilia Piosidoncy " Ho sub
join*, tlint “ It was well known to mv constituents f.
manv months previous to tho ht«* Presidential dec
tion. that nfior Mr Chiv, Mr Ad un* was my next
choice among the dis?ingmshed individual*, who were
then before the people of the Tinted States a candi-
dates f*.»r tlmt exalted station ”
Mr. .McLean doetarea, 14 tha» no such proposition
was over made within nr knowledge, nor have 1 any
cnui/o to bi licvo that conditions of any sort were
made, at any time, by tbo fiieuds of Mr. ('lay to uny
person, nn n compliance with which their vote was
made to depend ”
Mr. Whittlesey av. rs that “ I do not k •« w or be
ve that any proposition wn* ever made i»y any of
Mr. t 1 iv * friend* to those of Gen J ioafoii. oil the
morn tig of the Presidential election. «»r at any otln r
time, having any bearing on tho candidate to ho elect
ed from llm lli/eo leturned to the Ilousu, nor do 1
know or believe that any condition* of any sort were
proposed by llm friend* of Mr Clay to any person,
on a compliance with which tln ir vote was ma.lo to
depend ;’’ “ but I do believe that the assertion made
by' Gen Jaekson a* repotted by a Inglilv respectable
V irginian, and all of the charge* of a like eharxetor,
Imputing cither to Mr Adam* or to Mr Ci ty or t,
their friends, any improper, inconsistent, coriupt or
fraudulent conduct, on that inttneating and tn uni'ii
tons occasion, aru base slanders, known to be such bv
those who pul them in circulation "
Mr. Battlcy ex-.r "s*c* the belief injustice to Gen.
Jackson, that lie ne\cr inttife the declaration alluded
toby Mr Buwriy. *• For the Gonerui was there when
the election took place, and must inevitably havo
kn mn lint sttcli a statement w u'.l carry falsehood
thu v-rj f.icr of it ” Hu adds “ I was mi the llo
I believe every day oftli.it session, at which
Hi ielent wn* elected ; and have no Imsitution in *
ing ilict -otar from • ukiugatty nr q osiiioit, < r • f ,
weic tlie friend' of Mr. Clay, in favor of the Gtuor*
al, that had the fr.cnrls of the Genrrul made such i
proposition wo would have considered it as nn indig
nity ollbred to our integrity and undi rstamling."
Air Patterson is brief hut pointed 11c says : ‘ 1
frankly state to yon iliat^f any *u li proposition a* j nary operate
you state was made by tTin fiiuud* of Mr. Clay to — 1
tbo*e of Gen Jackson, 1 had no knowledge of it, nod
I was one of the friends of Clav. I there oru bo
llu\e th« rep.utr.j be witliout an fn oust loundation ’’
In parsing Ironi the icstiiimny «* ’ tho delegation
from {Mini to lint of Kentucky wo slmll find it to be
llo lus* inc.-i-tilne and decisive in negolixing tho do-
duration of Gen. J ."kson, communicated to tho pub
lic through Mr. Beverly. The Kentucky delegation
consisted of twelve inembeis ; eiglit of whom, Mr.
Tumble, Mi. F. Johnson. Gun. Metcalf, Mr Letch
er, Mr. Ruckmi, Mr. Thompson, Mr. White, and
myself, voted fur Mr Adam.*. Fiom six of them
-•atements havo been rect i, ed That l'r«»m .Mi
While hai> not reached lias city ; but I nrn justified m
-'M-ng that In- h is repeatedly, within III* di-erict a<l« i
'•* return to Kentu< ky, born unqualified u>11110111) 1
!"• falseiiood of all cliurges of coiruption in ti.« 1 !»m
1 and cspeci.illv to llm property of r y e .n lm -
m l I have no doubt that bo will wlieiiuvti culhd up
•11 repeat the nume testimony.
»Mr. Truubloj says, l ilo nol kuv\v of my own,
Knowledge, iK>r have 1 born in(olined by iti-»
s, prinmaitions or overtuies such 1
Set). Ju<
that | untnrv and fri* n
• In in tim* I »m 11 -w able
n-uh-r oh- pm'ion "f tl
d.ng that of Dr Drnk**)
jg ,w nffetuMti d
Thi tcstimon)
4 and t
ronimumcat
d
mn of t!»o 'purport of i Adam* nn. ' n T
\ h. l'.ie the P til.*- . and Mr \-
V
N* v
Mr Adams
oiTers, priM>"sitions or overtuies such a* nic spnk
by Gen. Jackson in his letter to Ib-verly, or similar
thereto, or of any kind whatever, were made by Mr.
Adams or his friends, to Mr Clay or his friends; or
by Mr Cloy or hi* fiicnds, to Gen. Jar Kson or his
friends. 1 do not know, nor do I believe that Mr. Ad-
nr bi* friend* made overtures or ofiera, directly or j about tli" 1 a t October lii-1, and
indirectly to Mr. Clay or b** friends to make him Hlc- • of W’asliiniiton. down to the period win n my 'icier
retnry of State, if ho and his friends would unite in. initiation to vo*« for Mr Adam* was generally known
aid uf the election of Mr. Adam*. N-.rdo I know or l in tins city I uniformly expressed my C"»ivi"li"M f
believe that any pledge or promise of any kind was t Gen Jackson's wntr of qualification, nnd my fixed
by Mr. Adams or Ins friends, to Mr. Clay or Ins resolution not to vnto for him, if I were call' d
inns* of testimony, vinelu
the particular to; ic will li
(Sec appendix B )
ay ustahlisliea that, «»n various oecn-
, begutn'ng in K'-ntmkv a* enrlv n*
tinned m the City
Laf-tyuttu 1
■» uf the *cs*
ifd’h.i
1 ch 1
frierid .to procure his aid in thn election.
1 never heard from Mr. Clay, or hi* friends, or
any one «!*• that hu was wihngling to vote for General
Ju» k-on, if thn General would say, or any of hi*
d* for him,that Mr. Adams should not bo con
tinued Secretary of State. Nor do I know or believe
that Mr Clay uv**r expressed a vvillness, or any of
In* friend* for him, to support or vote for Gun. Jack-
-on, if ho could obtain the office of Secretary of State
under him "
“ I do not know or believe that any overture* or
fim of any kind were made by Mr Clay or In*
friend* to Mr. Adams or hi* fro nd* tu vote for him or
support him if he would make Mr ('lay
of 8 hi to ; or to Gun. Jackson or hi* friei
f»r him or support him, if ho could « btain
of Mui-rctjiy of State under him ; 11. r d«
Mr Clay would havo taken office under hi
been elected." 1 shall hereafter h ive on
other part* of tlio letter of Mr Tri
which the precerding extract Ins b«-cu tak
Mr F Johnson s'ates iu liii ans.vf.r l > l)r Wat
kins, “I have no hrTttntioii however t» ausWoiiug
your enquire*. After writing the above extract '. you
say to mu," 4 If such a propoa.limi wetu ever mad
l»y thufrinnds of Mr Cl iv to t!io-o of (ien J.trkaun.
it must have Imen !tn* wn to many person*, and the
fact therefore nuy bo uscertuinu 1 M iy 1 a,k t
d* to V til"
the ofiiuo
I believe
1 if be had
sion lo no
ublu from
v lidlici
favor of you lo inf
liovn any such propos.
c mdrions of any snrt vv re
Mr. Clay t»» nnv p rs«m on
tln ir vote wn* to depend "
“ T<» the liist In un h of tli
that I have no knowledge «
n o do f b. linva any such was .
I I naswer that I rn nhei ku
hove that ir.y cunditinn* of any
the friend* of Mr Clay tu any p
1 kno
rcr made, or vv lieihd
le by the frion 1* 0
up! u.icc with vv’r*i I
:,q
icdi prnpo.-i:e n.
m «'i» To l he
ol, n->r do 1 be
were iiiadu b)
, mi < oniphance
with which their vote was to depend
Metcalf, with lit* cliara 'ierisiic firrunura and
frankness,says, “ I havo tostntuthit I never heardm
thought of such a proposition until llm |e:ter of tin
highly resfiuetahlc Virginian appeared iu tim puhii
Hu procuoiJs, A* one of tho friend* of Mr
(hay I enter the most *oh ,, iin protest ag imsi tim right
of th" Gon* r tl, through ln« organ tim hi. hly ro*poc-
table Virgmiaii, or otherwise, to,«ay that I would Imv*:
nssiaied iu m iking linn President 011 llm condition sta
tod. On the conn irv, if 1 could havo been undo »o
holinvo that Gen Jack*uli would not liavi* oflcrod t»
Mr Adr. 11* the place which In Ind til!ml with h<>
»»iuch ability under Mr Monroe, that belief would
have -oust inti d n my in nd 1 *.r n add.tioruil objec-
0111 . the (.’• i). r if* HU« e« as." 44 If u is intended to
i.npnrt tlio b lint that Mr Clay's friends worn d si
rtms of obtn rung ihuap(i- i 1»merit fu him to the ex-
lusionof Mr Ad im* or otln-rwiso under Gon. Jack-
son, a* one of Jim friend*, I pr m xiimn it a base nnd
infamous nautili upon tho motive* an 1 huri »r, * > far us
1 i 1, eoi.eernod nr believe, ofthoso who rl . n *1 choose
0 support him fi»r t!iu Presidency." “ In reply to
vour second enquiry, I li.ivo to * iy that if con lition*
of any sort worn ma le hy tlio friend* f Mr. Clay to
any person, on •» curnide auoo with wh fi their vote
was m » .0 to depend, I kno .v nothing of it "
Judge Letcher, tho only mmnhrr of Congress who
hoarded in tlio same house with me during iliu *• *
lion at which tho Presidential election was made,
testifies. 4 1 know of no such proposition or mr-mn
t un, nor have 1 a knowlodgo of any fact or cir« 11.11
stance wh « h vvouhl induce me to bolievn Mr. Clay'*
friends, or any one them, over made such u proposi
tion to the fr ond* of Gen J u kson '•
Mr. Thompson says: 4 ‘ I know of nn proposition made
by the friend* of Mr Clay, to tho friend* of General
Jackson to inako him Piesident if lie would not se
lect Mr. Adurns to the goat of Secietary ; and I du
not believe a propo-it ion of any kind was tnide, ami
X'tect if the friend .if the Gcnmal shell d ov> r *; e ik
ill" subject, ho will bo a *»r. n Krnmer "
Mr Buckner testifies ; 4 In answer to your onqui
rie* on tin* subject I will remark that 1 h ivo no r«-.i
son to bnliuve that any such pinposition was made.
Indeed no proposition of .any disoription rolaiing to
tho election ol Piu-ridcni was made, so far as I km
nr believe, bv Mr Clay’s friends lo those of G
Jackson or of any oilier person '
Mr SriKI, llm inomlior fiom Missouri, mtns tlinl
" mit)i,t M. A Jam. o«r his H lends evet mudo nny
l.rnmisi'inr overtures to mo, nor did limy hold uni to
inn any inducements of any sort, kind or ch irm t. r
whnlcvor, to |irorurn me to votn fur Mr Ad.iins Nm
d.d Mr Adams or any of hi.* fr.ond* over sav < r in
sinuate who would be placed at the head of'th ? Du
pnrtiiicut uf State, or any other Department, in tin
event that Mr. Adams should bn elected N »do 1
believe any proposition* were made to Mr Clay m
Iii* friend-' hy Mr Adnuuor hi* f, .end* Ifilmru won
1 known it not ” 4 I never mridn t-. Gen Jackson, <»
nnv uf hi* friend* any propositi ui, in reference to (In
Prosiil-mtial election,cith'-ras regard* thu nppomliucni
of Mr Clay or any other pi r.-mn to (dlice, or tho «
elusion of .Mr. Adam* 01 nnv other person from olli
I was noitln r spuknn to by Mr. Clay, or any of hi*
friends, about making nny proposition to General
Jackson or bi* friend* of any kind whatever n >r du
I ever hear it insinuated or hinted, that any uroposi
lion was made or intended lo he made, hy Air. Clay
or lo* friends tu Gen J*n kson or hi* friend*, 01 to am
other candidate or their friend* fir or 1 cluing to tin
Presidency. And i do behove, had any prop >*iti
been made or intended to havo been undo hy Mr
Clay (>*’ hlsfrion.ls, f.'oin my i 1 i n.icy and euns'ant
inrcoursc with them, 1 should have known or hea d
there,f "
!M« Gurluy an-i Bruit vvero llm two member*
who gave ilio vote of Lousiana to Mr Adam*. Mr
Gurley declares 44 that 1 havo no knowledge of any
propositions having been made hy the fin.unis of Mr
Clay or any of tlmm to the friend* of Gen Jackson «>
(•» any other person, in rclati n («> the election of Pru
sideut, or the pronoxitiou of conduion* of any sort, o
a compliance vvitli which their votu wu* in id" to tl"
pend. I believe the eliarg" wholly destuu;.' of truth
Col. Brent say s, “ In nllu-i m in the Fayetteville
letter 1 cannot express tho imlig
led. It is tim fubricution of a desperato 111 in, who to
obtain lu* object dares to a-serl w hat be know* to
false. Youi* a*k me to sav, vvli' ther 1 know or
licvo that such a proposition was over made, or vvh
er condition* of unvsort we [unposi-dby tliol’iii nd
of .Mr Clay to am oil",on tho r.oinpliancu with wind
their vote wn* mad" to depend No honorahlu
can h lievefn a moment that such a proposition
over made, or such a condition s ijml.vti d. i v
friend of Mr Cl ay's throughout the % ontost 1 w
the confi leneo of a’l Ins frum !s, and I declaro l>i
that I imv r heard of so li thing until it was as?
by the disappointed adlioiont* of Gen Jacksu
am not only ignorant of *u -h arrangements, but d>
not befieve they everexiso d "
Tima llioru trow b fore the P iblic tlio united ov i
donco of the delegation fiom every Western State
whose vnlo wn* conferred upon Mr" Adnius, e\ee t
that of Mr Conk, tin- K.>pi« sentalive fr un Illimus
A l >ng and lingering illness, terminating 111 the doatn
"filial Gontlointn, prcsnl* t l»o s ibuu*sion fins
But ji is well kno vn that .Mr. \«l tins w 1- hi* cli uce
through ilio whole Pr sidential canvass. \I.hough
there exist, d between him ni.d mvself g.md will au.l
respectful intercourse, bo never wm p -litically 01
personally mv Irie-ol
lucluiiug Mr Wnite. the p 1 i»Ii • h.n the c.iloace
oft wen'y difi’ieilt me ule-rs of Cm gre.**, einluaeing
| a I my friu.id*, from tin- \Ve>|.*rn Smiio, win voted
I'T Air Adams Their at enliou was < Ifi.-fly directed
1 in the prep.ranuri of th ir res,.«•« i|v" sia.euiont*, to
the Fayetlov die letter, and it is tu th un that th-n
lestinn :>y principnlL appns. On tl at point, they
all eoneur, iu prou *un u.ig the in *1 iniqiialified in g.t
live, and, 011 olhei points, s veral of tliuui are u " In**
explicit. I* it cn dible, i* it Coiitisteni with the 01 di-
if hum ui nature, iliti these Guotlo-
men, without any p' is'uial interest or iii-live, wh.i
evei, sh 'tibl h ive fi.-l basely given their coucurienee
lo di-h m Table overture*, F.»r my sole benefit, unJ
then should unaniuiously agree iu fahi'Vmg them-
selv e* ?
In the published circular which in M.iieli 1825,1
addressed to my Constituents, 4 remarked 44 at m n
e *rlv period" (earlv III Novoiuoei I-S’>4) I siatt-d tu
Dr D* 1 e,one of ihu professors iu the medical scJionl
4 t fraisv Ivania Cuiversity, and to J dm J Crilleu-
" d- l.-q of Fr inufort, my deiuruiiu.t:i 01 t • support
“.Mr \dams in preference to G-n Ja»k*m’ 1 did
mu *l that time, r- olieet, nor «l-> i pr .haulv m.v, all
:lic eeasion* on who h | -xpr. !, in rwivi rt-a.iun
m\ >|iinioii ofth" uiitone** 1 Gen Jo k.-.m, t ir tho
P. dcney.ai. i my preieren e of eiiu"r of tliuuth r
•u.didafe*. I r 'ocuibered distinctly it.-- conv. r».itiuii
1 he.’u wu D. Drake and J -m J Cntteinloii,
L |. and (tl 1 ..foro.itdc«red to lllOtU In several m
- s, 1. ir com O r *ftous have been since hruughl
.ny revou ?i nun by Geii..« .ueu with whom, or in
wuntiu prequyee they occurred ; and it 13 Rvut a vol-
- a vote These sentiment*, long cherished, were
beratcly efpr*sod, to Gentlemen of thu tiigliest
ir; bility, most of them my personal and pnrticu
larfriends, in till in whosee-timntion I must bav»- st--»d
I, if I had voted f r (Jen J jeksnu rnntrarilv
to my ileclaiod purpr se. This purpose wa* avowed
nndiatcly preceding my departure from Kentuekv
rttend Congress, nnd nnnT iliat.lv on mv arrival
" afier tin t® miiintion of the j'irrn"V. David Trim-
Id", L (j status *'uut about the first of Ociubor 1824, lie
hcl I a conversation with me at Frankfort, in Kentuc
ky, on the subject and prospects of the ponding cler-
hii !i lie di t ill* minutely, and tlia» in the course
fit I said tl that I could not consistently vvitn mv
plea vote for (Jen Jackson, under any possible
circumstances" I urgul to him all tbo objection*
•h weighed on m v mind, and which have been so
n stated, and especially that which is founded
upon (J. n Jackson's possession of military pretension
ly And,in reference to an objection which Mr.
Pr.inblo un l« rstood me a* cuteitaining against Mr
id.un*, growing out of the negoti iti<m* nt Ghent,
It Tumble si ’ties that I remuke.l that it had boon
greatly inngiiifi ri bv the friend* of his Competitors’
for electioneering purposes 41 that it ought to h ive
n »influence in the vote which he might bo called
upon to give ; that, if Ire vv is weak enough to allow
In* personal feeling* to influence h s public conduct,
ile-i" would b) no change in bis mind on that ac-
com it, bemuse ho was then on much worse term*
with Gen. J u ksoa about the sominole war, than lie
could over lie w.lh Mr. Adams about the treaty or
Ghent ; that 11 tho s»-l ’Ction of a chief magistrate »or
the U110 1 !i" woo'd eudonvof to disregard all private
f* cling', and lo U entirely to tlio interest of tho
Country and * .Ic y -.f it* insti'triou*."
It npjM--ar-frorn the letter of Mr Robert Trimble,
•me of'lie associate Justices of tho >npraine Court
' tie- United H at •*,) which accorni nies that of Mr
I) Trimhlc. that the latter had avowed to the former.
ul\ n* Fchunry 01 Mir h 1 a JI. hi* preference if
Adam* to either of the threa Caud-dat"* wh®
u a' tunlly returned to tho House of Rupresenta
li V.’
C d. D1»id.-. uT thu Treasurer of thu Ctato ofKcn
u ky.and a man of un domisltud honor and unqnos
)0 ihln veracity) slate.* that during a visit which I
i.li) to Frankfort m tho fall of 1824 and In* think*
•ly a few day* prior to my departure from Kentucky
i iM« ndCoogross (it must thoroforu have been early
^ N ivornber, as I left home before, or about the tenth
that moiitli) lie had a conversation with me nb >ut
iu then pending Presidential election in the courg •
which ho rom irked, that 1 vv mid have sum dificif
t) lo cneonnicr in making it selection amongst the Cun
i late.* if I should bo excluded from 'lie H msn To
•’Lj11 I replied : “ I s ipposnn >t mil' ll ; 111 tlia* event I
will un.loavor to do my duty faithfully." Hu ad L
ill it I stated in the course of llm conversation : 44 I
cannot concoivo ofany event that can possibly hap
pen wlfch could induce mo to support the election
of Gen. Jackson to ilio Presidency. For iflliadno
o hor objection, hi* want "f ilm necessary q mlifica-
tion would bo «u(fieif:nt." Tltoso remarks made n
rung an ! lasting impression on Col Davidson's
and, and where the resolutions wero before tlio L 'g
i*lalttre, requesting lire delegation to vnto for G.n
kson, Col. Davidson informed several of Iris friends
»fiho Conversation with me, and that lio wasconviuc
d I would not support Gun. Jackson. Hocntninuni-
utud thu substance of tiiis conversation to George
Robins in Esq , tho Speukor of the IIouso of Repro
antiiiives of Kentuekv, vvlio concurred with him. that
I could not consistently under any circumstance vote
mnc» mv vote, or in -mi s. ".g
"• int* rfi re i »he eleeimn. I ti
»f me. wlii* h I «rn quiti sore v
cp int- re-t which In* fi It 01 ever
he welfare of thi* count 1 y. I
.vv to sohtn t the statement
lie least d'*P x "
a-.e a simple »»«•
* promoted by
uin.ia timi c-'ti-
iii liai.pv to be
r.f MIC Gur
ft. tl(
ll >t p )**ed bc'w -e i 0* III) that 0C" I«I
: IP -• d ns 1 hive laid v been with hew
ri nscio ii as it i* mv happv lot to he ol
and ' nifiduncc < f ulj p.i'tio* and all
llu
clean.' ,
tho «f*
men in
cry p
tv -vitiiin thu U ited States, fenltn * which
I most cordially rcci iroratc, I ever havo tlnoig.it my
seif hound jo avoid taking any part in local or pci
sonnl divisions ——- Indeed, if I thought that in, in
the e natters my infloence could he of any ava l, it
-h ail I I he solely cxer od to deprecate not by far, ihu
fre< Republican, and full discussion of principles and
candidates, but th ise invidious slander* which, al
though they nroh ippdv replo d hy the good h-nso,the
candor, and in domestic instance*, by tlio delicacy of
th" American people, teuJ to give 11 hr tad incorrect
and disparaging impression*. Yet, tli it line of conduct
from which I must not deviate except in imminent ca
fes now out of the. question, does not imply n forget-
fulness of fact*, nor a refusal to stain them occasional
ly My remembrance concurs vvi'h your own on
th * point, that in the latter on 1 01 December, either
beforo or after my visit to Annanol s, you being out
of the Presidential can lidalure, and af-or having ex
pressed my abovomentioued motives of forbunratn
I, by way of a onfideoii-.l exception, allowed myself
to put a sirnplo unqualified question, respecting your
electioneering gin-**, and voui- in ended vole. Your
answer was that in vonr opinion, thn no uni state of
health of Mr. Crawford had iimi'cd thu contc«t to 0
choice between Mr. Ad tots and Gen. Jackson, that a
claim founded on military achievements did not meet
your preference, nnd that you had concluded to vote
for Mr. Adam*. Such ha* bean, if not the literal word
ing, at least the presise senso of a conversation which
it would have been inconsistent fir mo lo carry fnrlh
cr ami not to keep a secret, wiiilo a recollection of it
to assist your momory should not now deny not on
ly to you ns my friend, but to any man in a eimilat
situation "
(ion Lafayette was not able to state, with absolute
precision, the date ofthe conversation between us, nor
an I undertake to specify the day, although I retain
a perfect recollection of tho conversation It was, he
*ay*,“ in thn lattor end of Dueomber, cither before or
liter my visit to Annapolis, you being out oftho Pres
idential Candidature." Ho left Washington on thu
lfhh fur Annapolis, and returned on tiro ‘21st. [See
National Intelligencer j If the conversation took
place before the excursion, it must have boon on or
prior to the lGlh >f December. But lit says that I
was out of th" “ Prcsidentml|Candidaturo." Whether
I should bo returned to the House or not, was not as
certained until the voto of Loui-iana wu* known —
Rumor* had reached this city of tho issue of it, pre
vious to the 20th of tho ro mth ; but the first certoiu
intellignnce of it was brought hero by Air. Senator
Botiligny on the 20:li, according to his rec.olluotion.—
On Gen Lafayette's return from Annnpoli*, tho pro-
babilitv is that the subject of tho Presidential election
wa* the common topic ofconversation, as information
had then just roaclied tho city from Louisiana 1
called to seo him immediately after his return, nnd
received tho vote of Louisiana, it i* quite likely that it
was on that occa*i »n that lie held the conversation
with rnu This would fix the day tu havo been prior
to Christinas. But whatever was tli• actual day,
thoro can be no doubt that it was before thn momora-
blo interview betwoon Gun Jackson and Mr Buchan-
ir Gon Jackson. When the same resolutions Were
b Turn tho S.mate ( f wuich Col Divid*on was then
a .Member) lie rose in his place und opposed them, and
tmong tho view* which lio pres mtod to that body, li"
t iled that all the Resolution* which they could pass
the whole srssion would hot induce we to
ahan fon what i conceived t > be my duty, anil that he
knew I could not concur icith the in ijonly ofthe Leg
is'a 1 we on that subject
John J. CntcndeiiE.* ! (who is referrod to in the
circular to my Coiwiunuits, but vvho-e statement h
never before been exliibiie I to the public) testifies ;
tliat, 4 ‘soino time in thu fill of 1824, c mv> rs ng u, on
tho subject ofthe then ponding Presidential eloction.
I sptmking in r •furreuce >o > uur exclusion from tlio
content, and loy nu- b. 1114 o diod upon to dccido uild
between the other Candidates who might he re
turned to thu II of eprege tatives, y. u declared that
>u could not, or th it it wa* impossible for you to
■to fur Gun Jackson in any event My impression
iliat this conversation took place nt Capt Weisi
•r’s tavern in this town [Fran .fort, Ky ] not very
ui before you went on to Congress 111 the Fall pro-
•cling the la-'t Presidential election, and that the
ndai atioii in tile by * on :ib above stated was elicited
* tiim iotona'ion tint full from inonfmy preference
I Gun Jai ksun over all tin other Candidates except
uirsclf. ’
Ho unalterablv fixed was my resolution prior to my
•p iituro from kentueky, I havo no doubt that in my
'oiii'scuoiis and unresi-ived intercourse among my
qua" it arises 111 that State others not recollected by
1" c mid bear testimony to ilm undovi iimg and set-
tied d 'tci ininatiun of iny mind If will be now seen
tli it alter, and i oni ’di itoly on my arrival at the City
of Washington, I a.llierud to this puipiso, and per
severed in ii unt.I t ua-i cxvcutoJ by ihu ac tual de
p-.site of my vote in the tmllol box
In a day or two ufiei I reach d the city, and on se
veral other ocensons I had long a.id unreserved con-
v ersation* with Air Johnston, senator from Louisiana,
fo an account of which, n* given in Ins letter in the
Apprn fix, I invite p uti uilur attention. The first wa*
n the S.i ur.lay <»r Sutid »y before the commencement
il’Cungr. *s in 1824. and after I had seen Air. Craw
ford. I stated to AL Johnston that notwithstanding
•ill J h t«l*firntd, I h (1110 idea of his n( tual condition,
ind 1!, a l it was out ofthe qnestion to think of making
him President. We conversed fully on the respective
pretensions of Air Ada!))* and Gen Jacks »n, and af
ter diawing 1 purr« 1 I h tween them, l conHud d by
■ •xpressing nprelbrutii'u f»r Air. Ad ::ns, vvlncii i{ turned
n* i icipnllyon lus talents und cxperieiKC in civil af-
fits. Af er tlio d turn f the votes of l.oius'nm,
an ! after the 1 dull ms oftho General assembly of
Iv n*u« ky were roeeivcd, Mr. Joliuston state* my nd-
li ,ronce to ilia pr* li-f'en e. Hu cottcluth s by obscrv
ing 4 that no fu«*t ever canto tu my knowledge that
cuuld 11 die *1 elites: dogree justify the eti r;o which
lit* been exhibited. On the contrary, I know that
» our opinion did not undergo any cli.tnjn from tho
ti-iv* I fi *• saw you on your return to W isliington,"
that i*, jo-iorto tli" meeting of Congress. During the
present summer, two gentlemen in this State of Mis-
si sppi v-dunt i 11!v *ol>t AD Johnston tli it ilioy heard
•in express a d- "idcd preference of Mr. Adams, at
L x ngtoit b ‘lore I left home fur Wasliingti
Although nol immediately connected with the main
ohje"k"f thi* address, 1 think ,t proper, to refer to a
•art of Air. Julinston s letter, as sustaining two several
statements 111a lo hv me on former occasions. I stat
ed, in in; Address to my constituents that, if I had
received tlio vote of Louisiana and boon 0110 of the
tlin e T.indi lutes returned, 1 had resolved, ut a time
vvli n tin r" was every probability ol iny receiving it
that I would not allow my name, in cnnsoquoiir.o of
th *..uail mruib* r <-f votes by which it vvovld bo c
rted uitt) tli" House, if 1 vvero returned, to constitute
II i b a« loto an election. Mr Jalwistou says;
replied that \ on would not permit the country tube
div.mbc ! a I iy on yoor account ; that you would not
allow your nunc to interfere with the prompt decision
ofthe question." I -tatid al N ble’s Inn, near Lex
ington, I iHi sir nmer, that 1 had req i< sled a San itor
w lien in. n *■ .iiiut.oi) Secret iry uf State was a t»'J
upon, to move a uutuiiUec uf Inquiry, if it should
appear tu him necessary. Mi Joliuston says j 44
ter your nomination was continued, you informed me
that you had r quested Gen. Harrison to move fora
C uuuuitoc 111 thu St nute, if any thing occurred to
m .ke it necessary I replied chat I did uai think any
tiling had occurred to require a Coiuindieo ou youi
pan "
Mr. B >uhgny,the other Senator from Louisiana,
betweunfwhoii) and myself 1 friendly intimacy ha*ex
wteil through* ut our acquaintance, mikes n statement
winch is Worthy »»t poculiar n *tiee lie bore to me
the authentic inform ibon which 1 reoeivod uf tlio
vuu uf Louniana, mul consequently of my exclusion
iroui tin* ||..use iind yet, in uur first interview, in
answer tu au inquiry which he made, I told him, with
out iuiMiation, 4 that I should vote for *AIr. Adam* in
pr* h renco to G"ti Jt kson.
\Y itti the pr. sent Secretary of War I had a conver
sation 111 the eariy part ul tue session of 1824 -5, on
luturning Ironi a dinner, at til" Goluinhia College ai.
vvlinui vve vvero lm;li in company with Gen Lafayette
and others. The day of the dinner was the 15th nl
D . eiiib. r, whn h may bu verified by a resort to tin
National luiod'gru.-er. In tho ( oar»o oftli.it eunvesu
iiun, Mr B .ruour states that lio expressed liuns.dl; in
tlie c\ cut 0! tho contest bang *• narjowed dowu tv AJr.
Here, then, is an unbroken chain of testimony,
commencing early in October 18*24, and extending to
noraly thu end of the year, |estal> i*hing, beyond all
controversy, my fixed and unwavering decisio 1 not to
vote for Gon. Jackson. Tliispurpo.se is deliberately
manifested nt ddfereiit periods, in diirerent places and
to distinguished individuals vvlio would hnvo bnnn the
in^sneioty tli it I should (rave thought of deceiv
ing. This testimony stands unopposed, nnd with tiuth,
cannot bo opposed by a solitary individual. There
does n »t exi" n human being, nnd if the dead could
be recnlle 0 e could not be summoned from thegravo,
who ould iru.y testify that I ever expressed or ever
intimated thn remotest intention to vole for Gen Jack-
• m, in any ci.n*ingency whatever. As to him, my
mind was never for it moment in doubt or difficulty,
Ami whatever personal prodil ctions I might have
OlltOI taillt-d fim- \fr f^rn in f< .nl .1.,. .4-
Major Davis, and others in Washington, PcnnstJ-
vnnin,uo one m i'asi. 11 ; hi a tavern in w •.‘st At- x»n-
Kr 11, in ilio nmii < ..uni. <>,. Hriotlicr; al Bn wn^ville;
a. Cineii.ni.lt; si Lotnsv II.*; and a. I),,v In ^ (in m,
in s tn. nn id Kii.un ky,(Jen. Ju. ksnn n ndu similar
tssrriions. Hlit.uld ihe nH.Htinnnl pioof t ippi trd ar*
rim it shall b.- prrsi nti d t» ll. a putilie. Wliml.er
such wus the drsijiti or not, Cun. Jui kson appi- r.to
httflc prorlainiiut hi. arcosniion, ot utirli rnnvi m iit
and supniatod |u,ints, os tsutild iiisuro its gotmral ri,.
■ iiljiuui. Wp liaw thn tootiinuny of G«n. UuQ'
tiinno, (whirl, js al Inast n.linissible nn surli an uc-
casi'in) that ho personally knew nf Gon Ju kson
»|M'nkm(J In tho saino nfl'oot as oarly as Marc Ii, ld2o.
Thus it nppoars that, in March, at various
places, in the pres, if many persons, Gen. Jack-
son tuck up n It Ins If to represent that Mr Achnn*
had matin offers to me, nnd that if ho had nindo s.m-
ilur proposals, lie, and n.il .Mr. Adams, would havo
linen elm ted I’resident. With what truth then ran
he ussert, as lio has dune, that tlio “ origin'' of his
rlmiae was two years afmrwarda at his own fires,cli ’
O' that he “lias not Rone into the highways and
market places" to pinclaiu. his opinions ?
Wh,1st Im has made no protest against any benefit
widen might accrue to himself from the dissemina
tion of such a cltatgo against mn, lie is extremely de
sirous riot to be consideied as my pultlir accuser l(a
Ittts indeed not appeared before a grand jury to sup.
poll a lull nf indictment against mo Neither did lio
arraign me w hen acting under the oath of a Senator
of the United States, lie passed upon my nomination.
Rut if he. can be regarded ns a public accuser w ho, nn
numerous occasions, to particulat individuals, ns well
as bef rn crowds of people,in public as well as pri
vate pi lees, charges another with political offence;
(inn Jackson unites tho double chnrneter of my pub-
lie and private accuser. \V th him I havo been rt'luo-
:antfjr compelled to betievo tlio aeeusation originated.
Wot et limn an hmiost misconception of tlio pur
port nf .Mr Duchatvcn's interview with him, (which
no ..no can doubt was tlio source nf tho calumny) nr
from the design of promoting his own Interests the
injury to me It is been the same The public, (as 1 cor-
1 -I 'ly '‘"‘I) pn«r 10 the last Summer, supposed that
tho charge had originated wi-li Sir Gcrgo Kremer a
letter to the Oolumhiun Observer But recent dis
:..o.n n .T.?.l.^': l<, ?.r nd, r sat,..
rlos
factorily established that, although tlio sternness ofSIr
Kremer's patriotism prompted him “ to cry nlnud
ami spare not, 1 ’ ho must be stripped of tho honored
merit of original invontion, which impartial justice ro
quires should nmv ho transferred to a more distinguish
nd personage. A brief summary i f inconl, stable
facts will evince the justness of this observation
It was the policy withi which the political cotnpaign
was conducted in tlio Winter 18*24 25 hv tlio fi .
or tlio Genetal, In the first instance to prnetioe a 'sirs*
tagom with my friends and me Accordingly ,|,e arts
of persuasion nnd flattery wore employed |J,„ "f
did noi hasten to give in my odlieasiou. and mmaineil
mo-t mysteriously silent in other words had not n„n
verted uiyself into a boisterous nnd zonlous n : „i, 7 , n
of Gon. Jackson, it bconrno necessary to ehariire tin.
policy, ami to substitute iutimidation for h nm'isli
mem. Mr Kramer presented him elf as a fit amm,
in tins new work, llo was ardent, impelled hv
blind and infuriate zeal, and irresponsible. n„,| „,.s‘
sosseil |’K least the acuity of clamorous voeilerntmn
His letter to tho Columbian Observer was men red'
and be was instructed to sign and transmit it That
nilmited to Mr Crowmsbield, former Secretary of tho
Navy. 1 hat he was not ncquaimed with its contents,
hat ts, did not comprehend the import of its terms
hns boun suffleiontly estaldishod. To G„ v Kent fvi»
III,tie, (Who voted to the House of ^Reprosema’.WM
(or Gen. JackBon,) Col. Brent, of Louisinnna, and Mr.
niffirnjj Im dtpciaiined all inteutiou of '
thing dishonourable to mn. (Sou Appendix F MVJ,!
tiraulltnr..,. uitll.rvervl'.l... I.. ^I'P'UUIX I. ) NV llo
was the real author ol the alter, published In the Co-
himb an Observer, to winoh Mr K, enter a (fixed his
signal,lie, I will nut undertake positively , 0 assert-
Circit,"stances render it highly probable that it was
written by Mr Eaton, and with tho knowledge of
Gen Jackson In relation to the card of Mr Kromer
in answer to that which I hul previously inseriml .«
.. ", in my circular to
constKuems, that the night before the appearance
nl Mr. Kreraors, as I was voluntarily informed, Mr.
ontuituinnd for Mr Crawford, of wIioso^Ftatc of
!i"iillli thoro was such opposito raprosentations iu
thn puhii" prints, vvltou I saw him myself there wa*
no alternative) in my judgment but that which I etn-
brauud. I havo roasou to htdievo that (Jen Jackson
nnd his friends cliertshotl no expectation that I would
vot« lor him (Jen. Call, tho then delegate from
Florida, was his ardent and intimate friend, and had
bnon hi* Aid Tlioy travelled together on their journ
ey Washington City in tho fall of 1821. In a let
ter from Gon Jackson to Mr. Eaton, which is con
tained in tho 66th pago of th" 28th vol of Nile* R.-
gistur, hu status that Gun. Call was will) him on that
journey, and ho refers to him as corroborating hisowo
momory rotative to a transaction at Washington
(Pennsylvania ) It i* presumable tint the election
with it.* prospects and hopes must havo frequently
firmed a suojuct of conversation on tho journey, li
r.»f» upnirolu Im .1 .nl.tn.l si.-a O. — rv.il _ii
can scaiculy ha doubted tlist Gt n. Call was well ac
qusintod wi ll Gun Jackson’s views and c:
— -.......... _ ,,u„ a ..I,,1 cxcep'.ations,
\t s tavern nt Rorkvillo, Maryland, about fifeen miles
from this city, doing tlrnt same journey, Gen. Call and
several other gentlemen engaged in conversation a-
bout ilia providential election John Braddook, F.sq
(a gentleman not Known to me, but who, I understand,
is n incichant of great rnspontubility) was proaent
and lie states that “ when tho vote Mr. Clay would
probably give was spoken of, Gen Call declared thin
tlio friends ol Gon. Jackson did nut expect Mr. Clay
. expect Mr. Clay
to vote fur him, and if be did so, it would lie an act of
duplicity on Iris part.' [Soo Appondix C ]
In G,III Jackson's address to tlio public of the
eighteenth nf July last, touching his previous stale-
incuts to Mr. Beverly, and cuinm.iuicating the name
of Mr. BurJianau as the gentleman who bore the jin
aginary overture, he sajs, “ tlio origin—tho begin
mug of this matter was in my own house nnd fire
side: where surely n freeman may bo permitted tu
peak on public topics” From tliis statement, the
fair ir.fercni.c is, that Gon Jackson inlcnJs lo aver
«, , - - ...— Jly mil]
Eaton a Senator Iron. Tennessee, anj the biographer
of Gen. Jackson, (who boarded in the end of this
City opposite to that which Mr Krctner took up Ids
abodo, a distance of about two miles und a half wna
closeted for some tnnu will, him " This paragraph
led to a correspondence betwoon Mr Eaton and ,,‘v
self, in the course of which, in a letter fiom mo io
h„n, under date the 31st March, 1325,1 ob.ervi d ‘ it is
proper Im me to add that I did helievo, fremyour hoc-
turnal interview with Sir. Kromer, rcfoired to in my
address, that you prepared or advised the poblhaiiou
of his card, in the guarded terms in which i is expn s-
7,i„ : U| ° u d ‘»"'<’wal nn vonr part,
m . ,n " :rvlow . ”• of its supposed ohj. i
to be able to declare, and in tho event of such tin
vowal, I would take pluaaure in ductaiing, that I hav e
been mistaken in nippoaiug thot jou bad any egeru y
in the composition or publication of that card “ No
occasion can bo ccnccvod mure fining f 0 , on cxp | it ,; t
dcnlnl nf nny parlicipatmn on lliu part of Mr. Eaton
in tho transaction referred to. It was tbo subject of
tho correspondence be,wocu us ; and 1 purposely af-
iurded lum an lion.,ruble opportunity ofavowin- cr
disavowing any co oporation with Mr. Krciner.''in
stead ot embracing it, ho does not deny the visit, nnr
, - . . —■»» iitit-iiunai vi*-
if, was there any thing existing that should have do-
ntou mu thi* pricclege ?**
As Mr. Kromer asserted that he did nut write the
lottai to tho Columbian Observer, and as Mr. Eaton
does not deny that ho wrote t|, u Card, published in
Mr. Kramers naino, the info,once is nol unfair that
having been Mr Kremer's adviser and amanuensis on
one nccasaion, ho acted m the same character un the
It I* quito cluaj that tho stutnnunt* iu tho lot-
other.
♦hat bo had never before spoken of hi* clmrgo n
gainst tno Thu‘‘origin, the beginning” of this mat
tor was, ho say*, at bis own firc-sido ; tint
. , , it was in
March, 1827, when, according to Mr, Beverly, be-
foro a crowd of company, of which thoro were no lo.-s
than seven Virginianx, he proclaimed his accusation.
The obligation to observe tho principles of honor, and
to speak with scrupulous veracity of all men, and c*s-
pocially of our competitor*, i* unaffuctud by time or
plac", Tho domestic fireside have no.priv ifego which
exempt* to a man of honor from tho force of that oh
ligation." On the contrary there, more than in any
other place, in tho midst of one’s family, should ex'
ampins ho exhibited of truth, o. charily, and of kind
nuae towards our follow men All the surrounding
circumstances tend to soothe the vindicative passions
and to inculcate moderation. Whether the privilu
gos .of thu domestic circle have been abused by Gen.
Jtekeon, or not, in iny instanco, |, t tlio impartial
world decide The attitude in which lio stood be
fore the American people, and the •uhstaiuig relations
between him ami mo, one might have supposed would
prompt him to the observance of tbo greatest delica
cy. Has lie practised it? it iodood, man unguar
ded moment of hilarity, amidst his convivial friends,
iu Ins own domicil, he had tncuuiiously touched a sub
ject, respecting which hu might have been expected
to prescribe to himself the most profound silence, h.
might possibly find, not uny justification, but some
exeu>o fur Iii* iinhs retion, in thu public liberal.ty —
But what must bo ihu general surprise when ihu ficl
turns out to bo, that the “ origin—the beginning • of
this muttci with Got) Jackson, wes not, as tie allege*,
in AI tr It. 18*27, hut iii 1*- tsi two years before ; not, it*
hu also alleg, s, at In* own fire nd", but in public plu-
• ui the highway, at i-iV- rns and on board - f steam
t) "tis ! 1 have expect'd to receive testimony to es
tablish the fact o! in* promulgating It s charge upon all
those various occasion*, during In* journey on his re
turn from Congress, in Alar h, 1825. At present, I
have only obt lined it in part —(Sue Appendix D.)
Air. Daniel Large testifies “that on my way down
the Ohio trorn^Wliceliug to Cincinnati, in the mouth
ot Mart h, 18*25,ou board the steamboat General Ne
villo, am mg many other passages where General
Jack*:ui and a number of gernhuneu fiom Pennsyl
vania, some of whom lem-irked to tnu General that
they regietted that ho had ii »t been elected President
instead <1 Mr. A 'ain* Geo. Ja< kson replied, that if
he would have made the same promises nnd ofi’ers t*
Afr Clay, that Air Adam* hud done, he (Gen. Jack-
son) would then, in that case, have been in the Pres
idential chair, but he would make n>* promises to auy;
ihul if he win to the Presidential chair, be would go
wit Ii cl*-an hand* and uncontrolled by any ono."
lo thi* statement, Air Wdliaiu Crosdell, who wa*
•resent, subjoin*, a certificate that 44 it is a faithful ac-
■ ou.It oi i»eo. Jackson's couvoisation on the occasion
i.hided to" B 'liioi those gentlemen, 1 have been
“filmed* are roapectubi- citizen* of Philadelphia.
* have understood, that to tho^ey. Apdrew W|lie,
trr to tho Culutnlimn Obsnrvor aro net n.afln upon Mr.
Kromer sown knowlad-o. He apeaka „f rop'.is, m-
mnitts, &c. Overtures were said to Imvo been made,
ll is must prohablo that those statements are found*
cd " n “' :n r ,nl fc'^on'a interpretation of the ol.jei »
of Mr. Buehnna,i s interview. How did he obtain
lie information whuli was enmnninicntod to the Co-
"ro, l ‘\v ° b ’ 0rVnr j *U” •“PPosi'ion that tho
letter vvas nrrparod by Mr Eaton, we can nl once
camprchcnd it. He wns nerreelly npprised of all iliot
P'SSecJ between Mr. Buchanan nnd Gen. Jackson.
The coincidence of the ianguago employed in tlio lot-
term the C. Observer, with that of Gen. Jackson lo
Mr. Carter Beverly is very slrihina, and proves hot
it hail n rominon origin. M. Kremersays, “Overtures
were said to havo bocn made to tlio friends of Mr.
Olay offering him tho appointment of Srcretarv of
Sluto lor Ilia aid to elect Mr. A Jams." Gen. Jack-
son says “ He [Mr. Buchanan] said lie hud been in-
furmoil hy tlio friends uf Mr Clay that the. friends of
•Mr. Adams had made overtures to them, savin-, if
Mr. Clay and his friends wuuld mole in aid cf "tho
electro" of Mr. Adams, Mr. Clay should be Secretary,
of State " Tlie vaiiations between other parts of tbo"
two letters are not greater than often occur in differ
ent naialivoa of thn same conversation. They are
not m gloat ns thnso which exist in tho accounts vvh c
(■en Jackson has himself irivuri. m J;rr.,r.. n , .1 .
given, at different times, of
the same transuct.on. This will he manifest from a
comparison of Mr Beverly's report of thn converse-
* l r‘ r '27'"!.'^"’ , i , " u " i "« d in l.ia Favetteville
letter of tho 8th ol March Inst, with Gen Jackson’s
siatoment of the same conversation, in his letter to
Mr. Beverly or the Oil, ot Juno. Speaking of this
lettor Mr Beverly says (in h;s letter tiN Zano E.q
that General Jackson “ asserts a groat deal more than
hu ever told me
From the intimacy which existed between General
Jackson and Mr Eaton, and from the fuc, stated hy
rhern hull,, ol the knowledge which each posses-u'd
I t„ j" ', anan a commooi alien, it cannot Ire r ea.
sonably doobtcj, .r Mr Eaton prepared Mr Kramer *
!r ‘7: . f. . " ]‘ ck r“ «‘q“““>eil with
this fact. It is worthy of particular observation that
up to this day, as far as I nm informed, Mr Kromer Iras
must caiefully concealed the source whence he deiiv-
ed thcslaternents containcil in his famous letter
The rancour nf party spoil spares nothing Ii nor-
vades, it penetrates every where. It doc., not sen,pi.
to violate Ilia sanctity uf .octal and private intercourse
— It aubstirutea for facta dark surmises and nialovo*
lout insinuation*—|i mi«repruaen ( .a and holds un irt
talse and invidious lurht* ini iK-m- ..nvr,.,„i., i
talse and invidious lights incidents, perfectly hnruile^
ill themselves, of ordinary occurrence, or of more
common utility More than oneo,in these acila.od
limes, lias unsiispecneg and innocent conversations
which | have held with an individual, and which I
M — wliio.h t
ncser entortained the sl.ghiosi *u*piciun was to ho tho
text of newspaper anidmadvcriiinn, b-
witii scandal"
publudiod
perversions in the public priiilK, and
supplied aliin-nt I ir mulignam ciiin ism. The inter
course und relations beiw, on Gen Jackson and mv-
sell have lurtitslied a copious theme ofdetra, tun and
misrepresematmn. Those remarks are m ule in insti-
fication ol the allusion which I f, el constrain, d to
make lo a subject Which, alihougli there is nothing
appertaining 1.0 11 that I can desire to conceal, or win ir
can occasion me any regret, should never he tom n- d,
withoui the most uigent necessity I would unj , ,,vv
refer to it, it 1 had not too much ground to believe that