Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-07-21

I
was unwilling longer to delay his departure,
had only time to obtain hasty, but believe,
correct copy of the letter; and l now seize
the first moment, afior my arrival at home, TO
present it to the public, together with the copy
! OF another letter, addressed by Mr.. Beverly 10
| Colonel Zane.
Ipurposelv forbcar, at this time, 10 make
several comments which these documents au-
thorHe, and confne myself to u notice Of the
charges which General Jackson has brought
! forward in his letter.
These charges are, Ist. That my friends in
Congress, early in January, 1925, proposed to
him, that if he would say, or permit amy of his
confidential friends 10 say, that, in case lie was
elected President, Mr.. Adams should not be
continued Secretary Of State, by a complete
J union of my self and my friends, we would put
an end to the Presidential contest in one hour; /;
and
2dly. That the above proposal was made 10
General Jackson, through distinguished MEM
Der OF Congress, Of high standing, uiA ny
prirify and consent.
TO the latter charge, oppose direct, IN
qualified and indignant denial. / neiiner
made, nor authorized, nor knew of any propo,
sItion whatever to either Of the three Candi-
dates who were returned to the House of Rep
resentatres at the last Presidential election,
or TO the friends of either Of them, for the pur-
pose OF influencing the result of the election,
or for any other purpose. And all allegations,
intmations and inuendoes that my vote, on that
occasion, was offered to be given, or was in
fact given, in consideration Of any stipulation
or understanding, express or implied, direct or
nd'rect, written or verbal, that | was, or that
any other person was not, to be appointed
Secretary Of State, or that was. in any other
manner, to-be personally benefited, are devoid
OF all truth, and destitute of any foundation
whatever. And firmly and solemnly believe,
that tho first of the two above mentioned charg-
es is alike untrue and groundle,s. But if Contra
ry to my full belief,) my friends or any Of them
made any such proposition or offer, as is as
serted in that first charge, it was without my
knowledge and without my authority
The letter Of Gen. Jackson insinuates, rath-
er than directly makes, the further charge,
that an arrangement was proposed and made
between Mr. Adams friends and mine, by
which, in the event Of his election was to be
appointed Secretary Of State. l pronounce
that charge also, as far as know or believe
to be untrue and without the least foundation
Gen. Jackson having at last voluntarily
placed himself in the attitude Of my public ac-
cuser, we are now fairly at issue. i rejoice
that specific accusation by responsible ac-
cuser, has at length appeared, though at the
distance OF near two and half years since the
charge was first put forth. through Mr.. George
Kremer. 1t will be universally admitted, that
the accusation is Of the most serious nature
Hardly any more atrocious could be preferred
against representative of the people in his
official character. The charge in substance is,
that deliberate propositions of bargain were
made by my Congressional friends collectively
through an authorized and distinguished mem.
ber Of Congress, to Gen. Jackson; that thei
object was, by these "meahs Of bargain anc
corruption," to exclude Mr.. Adams from the
Department Of State, or to secure my promo
tion to Office; and that was privy and assent
edto those propositions and to the employment
| of those means.
Such being the accusation and the prosecu
| tor, and the issue between us, have now a
! right to S-pect that he will s,Ibstantiate his
! charges by the exhibition Of satsfa ctory evi.
dence. In that event, there is no punishment
! which would exceed the measure Of my offence
! In tho opposite event, what ought to be the
Judgment Of the American public, is chccrfully
submitted to their wisdom and justice.
H. CLAY.
Lexington, 10th June, 1927.