American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1827-08-14

election, and If he were, whatever might Be his
secret intention, he had more prudence than to
make such declaration | mentioned to him that
had been thinking, either that would call upon
me General myself or get one Of his other friends
to do SO, and thus endeavor to obtain from him
a contradiction of the report; although doubted
whether he would hold any conversation upon the
subject.
MIR. Markley urged me to do so and observed If
General Jackson had not determined whom he
would appoint Secretary of State, and should saw
that It would not be Mr.. Adams, it might be of
great advantage to our cause, for us so to DECLARE
upon his own authority. We should then be placed
upon the same footing with the Adams men, and
might fight them with their own weapons That
the western members would naturally prefer voting
tor western man, if there were probability, that
the claims of Mr. Clay to the second office in the
Government should be fairly estimated; and that
u they thought proper to vote for General Jackson,
they could soon decide the contest in his favor!
short time after this conversation, on the 3Oth
OF December, 1924, Il am enabled to fix the time
not only from my own recollection but from let
ters which wrote on that day, on the day follow
ing, and on the Cd January, 1881 called npon
General Jackson. After the company had left him,
)by which found him surrounded, he asked me to
take walk with him, and whilst we were walking
together upon the street. introduced the subject
| told him, wished to ask him question in rea
tion to the Presidential election; that knew he
was unwilling to converse upon the subject; that
therefore if he deemed the question improper, he
might refuse to give it an answer. That my only
motive in asking it was friendship for him, and
trusted he would excuse me for thus introducing
a subject, about which knew he wished to be ST.
lent
His reply complimentary to myself. and
accompanied with a request that should proceed
! then stated to him, there report in circu-
atlon. that he would appoint Mr.. Adams secreta
ry OF state, in he were elected President, and
that wished TO ascertain from him, whether he
had ever intimated such an intention. That he
must at once perceive how injurious ohis election
such a report might be. That no doubt, there
were several able and ambitious men in the coun-
try, among whom thought Mr.. Clay might be in
Guided. who were aspiring to that office; and if it
were believed. he had already determined to APP
pointhis chief competitor, it might have most un
Happy effect upon their exertions, and those OF their
friends That unless he had determined, |
thought this report should be promptly contradicted
under his own authority.
mentioned it had already probably done him
some injury, and proceeded to relate to him the
substance Of the conversation which | had held
with Mr.. Markley. donot remember whether
mentioned his name, or merely described him as
| friend of Mr.. CLAY.
After had finished. the General declared, he
had not the least objection to answer my question.
That he thought we'll Of Mr.. Adams, but had never
said or intmated, that he would, or that he would
not, appoint him Secretary Of State. That these
were secrets he would keep to himself; ne would
conceal them from the very hairs of his head. That
| il he believed his right hand then knew what his
left would do, upon the subject of appointments to
Office, he would cut it off and cast it into the fire.
/ That If he should ever be elected President, it
would be without solicitation and without intrigue
upon his art.-That he would then 20 into office
perfectly free and urtrammeed and would be left
at perfect liberty to fill the Offices Of the govern
mcnt, with the men. whom at the time, be believed
to be the abest and the best in the country.
| told him that his answer to my question was
such an as had expected to receive, if he an
swered it at all; and that had not sought to OBJ
tain it, for my own satisfaction. then asked him.
| if we're at liberty to repeat his answer. He said
| was perfectly at liberty to do 50 to any person
| thought proper. | need scarcely remark that
afterwards awaited myself of the privilege. The
conversation upon this topic here ended, and in all
our intercourse since, whether personally, or in the
course of our correspondence, Gen. Jackson never
once adveltel to the subject, prior to the date OF
his letter to Mr.. Beverly.
| do not recoect that Gen. Jackson told me,
might repeat his answer 10 Mr.. Clay and his
friends; though should be sorry to say he did not
Il The whole conversation being upon the public
street, it might hare escaped my observation.
A few remarks, and trust shall have done
with this disagreeable business for ever.
i Icalled upon General jackson. on the occasion
which have mentioned, solely, as his friend. upon
my individual responsibility. and not as the agent
, Of Mr.. CLAY, or any other person never nave
been the political ftiend Of Mr.. Clay, since he be-
came candidate for the office of President. as you
very we'll know, Until | saw General Jackson's
letter to Mr.. Beverly Of the 5th ult., and at the
t same time was informed by letter from the edi
3 tor Of the United States Telegraph, that was the