Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-07-31

limliy would De somewhat "o's '.,P i
some person other than General Jackson naa
proclaimed it. He would go into the rresi S..
,iai chair, but never, no! never contrary TO tine
eYnressed and unbiased will OF the people, or
their constituted agents." two modes Of airS-
inp at it the more reasonable, as there happens
10 be no other constitutional way. ne wouid
see "lhe earth open and swallow both MT. Niay
and his friends and myself" before be wouia
reach the Presidential chair by "such means o.
bargain and corruption" Hope Gen. Jackson
did not intend lha: the whole human race shouid
be also swallowed up, on the contingency ne
has stated, nor that they were TO guaranty tha'
he has an absolute repugnance 10 tue employ
men, of any exceptionabe means TO secure MS
elevation 10 the Presidency. II he had render
ed the distinguished member Of Congress lit
lie more distinguished, by instantly ordering
him from his presence, and by forthwith de-
nouncine him and the infamous proposition
which he bore to The American public, we should
be little better prepared 10 admit the claims
10 untarnished integrity, which the Generai SO
modestIy puts forward. But, according TO his
own account, corrupt and scandaious proposal
is made to him; the person who conveyed II
advises him 10 accept it, and yet that person
still retains the friendship OF Gen. Jackson
who is so tender Of his character that his name
is carefully concealed and reserved 10 be here
after brought forward as witness! A man,
who, if he be member OF the House oil KEEP
resen,a,ives, is doubly nfamous-infamous for
the advice which he gave, and Infamous Tor his
willingness to connive at the corruption OF the
body Of which he was sworn members the
credible witness by whom General Jackson
stands ready to establish the corruption OF men
whose characters were never questioned!
III 49, tiac ,vhir n t,ol n hOn0r.
able men, not one is so highly priced as that OF
character. Gen. Jackson cannot be insensibe
to its value, for he appears to be most anxious
to sci forth the holiness and purity Of his own.
How has he treated mine? During the dispen-
sation of the hospitalities Of the Hermitage, In
the midst Of mixed company, composed OF
individuals from various States, he permits him.
self to make certain statements respecting my
friends and me, which, il true, would forever
1ishonor and degrade US. The words are hard
ly passed from bis mouth, before they are COM
united 10 paper, by one Of his guests, and trans
mtted in the form of letter 10 another State,
where they are published in a newspaper, and
thence circulated throughout the Union. And
now he prelends that these statements were
made, "without any calculation that they were
to be thrown into the public journals" Does
he enrove the indiscretion of the guest who
had violated the sanctity OF conversation at
the hos pitah!e board? Far from it. The public
is incredulous. 1t cannot believe that General
Jackson would be SO wanting in delicacy and de.
corum. The guest appeals 10 him Tor the con-
tirmation Of The published statements; and the
General promptly addresses letter to him, in
which Che most uncquivocaliy confirms (says
"Mr. c. Beverly all have said regarding the
"overture made to him pending the last Presl.
"denlial election before Congress: and he
" asserts great deal more than he ever Told me-"
should be glad 10 know if all the versions Of
the tale have now made their appearance, and
whether Gen. Jackson will allege that he Gid
not Calculate" upon the publication of his let
ter of the 9Th of June.
The General states, that the unknown envoy
used the terms "Mr. CIay's friends" TO the e1-
clusion, therefore, Of myself, but he neveIthe-
less Inferred that he had come from me. Now,
why did he draw this inference contrary 10 the
import Of the statement which he had received!
Does not this disposition TO deduce conclusions
unfav orable 10 me, manifest the spirit which
actuates him? And does not General Jackson
exhibit throughout his letter desire to give
colorng 10 the statements Of his friend, the dis
tnguished member If Congress, higher than
they would justify? No one should ever resort
to implication but from necessity Why did
he not ascertain from the envoy if he had come
from me! Was any thing more natural than
that General Jackson,should ascertain the per-
sons who had deputed The envoy? If his shock
ed sensibility and indignant virtue and patriot
ism would net allow him to inquire into par,i
culars, ought he to have hazarded The asser-
ton, that was privy 10 the proposal, without
assuring himself of the fact! Could he not, az.
ter rejecting the proposal, continuing as he did,
on friendly terms With the organ 81 il, have sa.
lisfied himself if were conusant of it? IF he
had not time then, might he not have ascertain.
ed the fact from his friend or from me, during
the intervening two and half years. The COM
FUNCTIONS of his own conscience, fora moment,
appear 20 have visited him towards the conclu.
sion Of his letter, for he there does say, "that
in the supposition stated, / may have done in.
justice 10 MIR. Clay; if so, the gentleman in
forming me can explain" No good or homo
rable man will do another voluntarily any in
justice. II was not necessary that General
Jackson should have done me any. And he
cannot acquit himself Of the rashness and mi.
putty of his conduct towards me by referring