Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-03-17

anecdote once heard, connected win the e
vents Of the Southern war. A subaliern oeing
ordered into battle by his commAhder, was SO
awfulIy impressed with the danger Of his s'tua7
ton as to shed tears copiously, accompanied oy
loud lamentations. The gentleman was enga-
ged in that quarter, and although undooo'eu'y
brave himself, and free from all imputaiion, nc
may have heard Of the circumstances, and !! So
his memory will supersede the necessity OF 60
ing into detail.
The gentleman said something about forged
letters, which did not understand, and theh
rung anew his charges of corruption on the part
Of Mr. Adams, in obtaining the Presidency
Sir, it is well known here, and the gentleman
cannot be ignorant of the fact, that Gen. Jack
SOD himself, who had witnessed all the proceed
ings, was among the very first TO Offer, IN
public assembly, the hand OF fellowship 10 Mr..
Adams, and to congratulate him on his cleo
ton. If there was corruption in the transae-
ton, he gave it countenance; and, ii gentlemen
choose to place their hero in situation obnox-
ious 70 such charge, be it so. But the gen
teman may say what has been already SAID on
the same subject, that the General did not then
know that Mr.. Clay would be offered the De-
partment Of State. l believe it to be undenla-
Inauguration, when it was as well known that
Mr.. Clay had been offered the place OF Secreta-
~ Of State, and had signi6ed his willingness TO
accept, as 1t is now that he holds the office,
General Jackson, in this Hall, publicly, in the
presence Of thousands, again extended his hand,
sno congratulated MIR. Adams upon his eleva-
ton. These public acts of the General beer
unequivocal testimony Of the disbelief OF these
charges Of corrupton-testimony not in the
least shaken by subsequent eauivocal election
eering letter in reply. 10 an invitation 10 WISH
The Springs al Harrodsburgh, in Kentucky.
The gentleman says the Department OF State
is sort Of political Lazaret,o, where all infect
ed and corrupt politicians ride at quarantine.
After making this delicate and gentlemanly de-
claraiion, he vociferously exclaimed, who inter-
fered with the election Of President Of the Sen.
ate, and was rebuked by Tazewell? Who ap-
peared in the Lobby of this House, on the pre-
sentation Of the most important paper OF the
session, the Vice Presidents appeal, in order
to marshal his troops and put them in motion?
In his response he gives the name OF MIR. Clay.
Then he loudly demands, When was General
Jackson engaged in conduct like this? con-
ftss sir, feel somewhat humbled at hearing
such charges, on this floor, from Members Of
the House. AS TO the interference with the ell
ection ola President pro tempore in the Senate,
the circumstances and head and front of that Of
fence, are these: On the last business night Of
the session, to avoid the inconvenience and de-
lay Of sending Committee with bills two miles
to the Presidents House, for his appreciation,
he-and his Cabinet attended at the Capitol, to
examine and approve bills, where room is
provided for them. Their attendance is al
ways expected and given. Last year the Presi-
dent and his Secretaries so attended; and, being
without business Tor few moments, the Score
tarv Of State, with another Secretary, and, on
his invitation, walked into the Lobby Of the
Senate, where, by the rule Of that body, they
are privileged 10 60. After taking their seats,
it was found the Senate were balloting for a
"---:I--. --@ ,spa.-Of this fact. l believe both
gentlemen were Ignorant until after they arriv.
ed in the Chamber. Such baIlotings are not
gagged in them supersede the privilege Of any
one 10 enter. The Secretaries staid few mo.
ments and retired, certainly without expressing
preference or wish to any one in favor of eli.
ther Of the candidates, and probably without ex-
changing word on the subject. The .vbuke
/ know nothing of, and disbelieve: for have
always understood the Senator named was
we'll bred gentleman. The charge Of the atten-
dance OF the Secretary at the time the Vice Pre-
sldent's appeal was made, to marshal his troops
and put them in motion, scarce needs contra
diction. Is it possible, sir, that even the gen.
tleman from Tennessee can seriously make so
scurrilous charge as this, conveying an i'm.
pu.a,ion Of corruption as well upon the Secre-
tary and his friends, as the House, including
the gentleman himself! Surely his zeal has
wholly blinded his discretion. Suppose for one
moment, the Secretary to be corrupt, his friends
corrupt, and lost to all sense Of propriety, and
the majority Of the House corrupt; yet where
was the pure, immaculate, stern & incorrupti.
bic patriot from Tennessee! He was awake
and at his post He beheld the whole corrupt
operation, and can now detail its mnu,est par.
ticulars; yet, overwhelmed with astonishment at
the magnitude of this corrupt influence, and re.
strained by the modesty that is peculiar to him,
his tongue ceaved 10 the roof Of his mouth, and
his limbs refused to sustain his weight He
moved not and uttered not word. The power
OF the corrupt workings before him; the immi.
nent danger in which he bebeld the liberties of
the people and our admirable institutions; were
not sufficient TO rouse him to actioK or over
come his embarrassment. It is well known,
sir, the appeal Of the Vice President was pre-
Il