Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1827-08-16

cate with me, and ascertain my views
on the subject This he declined doing,
suggesting 20 Mr.. Buchanan that he, as
well as himself, could converse with me,
and ascertain my opinion; though, from
his knowledge of me, he thought he
could well conjecture my aAswer-tha
| would enter into no engagements
whatever. 1t was the morning succeed
ing this interview, after Major Eaton
had objected to converse with me on
the subject, aud before | had set out
from my lodging for the capitol, that
Mr. Buchanan came t. visit me, and
when the conversation | have stated
took place. The answer returned, has
already been published, and need not
here be repeated.
10 be thus approached by a gentle
man of Mr.. B~uchanan's high Character
aud standing, with an apology profered
at the time tor what be was about to re-
mark to me-on who, as [ understood
bad always, to that moment, been on
familiar and friendly terms with Mr.
Clay, assuring me that on certain terms
and conditions being assented to OF my
part, then, by an union of Mr.. Clay
aud bis friends, they would put an end
TO the Presidential contestin one hour"
| what other conclusion or inference wa.
to be made, than that he spoke by a u
thorily, either of Mr.. Clay himself or
some of his confidential friends. The
character of Mr.. Buchanan, with me
forbids the idea that he was acting on
bis WI responsibility, or that, under
any circumstances, he could have been
induced to propose an arrangement I'm
less possessed of satisfactory assurance,
that, if accepted, it would be carried
fully into effect. A weak mind would
seldom or ever be thus disposed to act,
an intelligent one never.
Under all the circumstances appear
ing at that time, | did not resist the i'm
preston that Mr.. Buchanan had APP
preached me on the cautiously submit
ted proposition of some authorized per
son; and, therefore in giving him my
answer, did requesthim ito say to Mr..
Clay and his friends" what hat an.
swer bad been. Whether the commu-
nication was made to Mr.. Clay and his
friends know not; this, though, l do
know, that while the opinions and
course of Mr. Clay as to the election,
were but matter of conjecture with ma
ny at and before the time, very shortly
after this conversation took place, his,
and his friends, opinion became forth
with matter of certainty and general
knowledge. Still have not said, o do
| now say, that the proposal made to me
was ",Cih the priUity and consent" of
Mr.. Clay, nor, either, have | said that
his friends tneongress made prop ositions
to me These are Mr. Clay's interpreta,
tons Of my letter TO Mr.. Beverly, and
not what my letter. itself contains. What
| have stated, are the facts of a conver-
sation between myself and a member OF
congress of high respectability. The
conclusion and inference from that con
versation-the time-the manner and
all the circumstances. satisfied my mind
that it was not unauthorized. So have
thought, and SO still; and yet, ! again
repeat that in this supposition | may
have possibly done Mr.. Clay injustice
If he should be able to sustain the aver
msnts he has made, and acquit himself
of any agency and participation in the
matter, | beg leave to assure him that,
SO far from a~fording me pain, it will
give me pleasure. | certainly can have
no desire that the character Of nv
country, through the acts of a promi-
nent citizen, shall rest under any seri.
Gus imputation: for the honor Of tina.
country, l should greatly prefer, that
any inference have made, may turn
out to be i'll founded.
MIR. Clay declares his great satisfaction,
that this matter has at last been brot' to
light, and to public consideration. He
feels rejoiced that a specific accusation
by a responsible accuser has at length
appeared 10 this a passing aotice is due.
1t must be recollected, that in conse-
quence OF a letter from VIZ. George Kre
mer IN January, 1925, an enquiry was
set on foot in Congress upon the appli
cation of Mr, Clay himself.
On this memorable occasion, of guilt
imputed ON the one hand, and innocence
maintained on the other, Mr., McDufie,
it will be recollected, submitted for
consideration to the House of Represen.
t%atives, as matter of instruction to the
committee, the following resolution: