Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-11-27
DOMESTIC.

The following letter from Mr.. Senator uar
rison, of Ohio, TO friend in Chliicothe, has been
called forth by the publication by Mr.. Senator
Branch, of the substance of some remarks made
by him at the time OF the confirmation OF Mr.
Clsy's nomination TO the Office OF Secretary of
State. II is very frank, clear, 'aad plain state
ment of the Circumstances which attended MI
Branch's Suggestions that subject The anec
dote concerning Mr.. Macon's ground of ohiec
ton 10 MIR. Clay is characteFilic of the veteran
opponent OF the exercise OF general powers, and
must be acceptable TO all the friends of Mr. CLAW
as well as Il Mr.. Macon. Nat. Int.
FROM THE sCIoTo GAZETTE.
"Norih Bend, Nov. 4, 1927. a day or two
before the nomination of MIR. Clay TO the flee of
! Secretary of State was acted on by the Senate, |
was requested by that gentleman to move for a
committee Of inquiry into his conduct, in relation
TO the thea recent election of President, if any
thing should occur in my opinion 10 make il nece.-
sary. Mr.. Clay repeated the application on the
day that the nomination was taken up by the
Senate, with great earnestness, and obtained my
promise 'Lat l would comply with his request
From the position which | occupied in the Senate
Chamber, being somewh hat in the rear of that of
! Mr. Branch, did nor distinct, hear the greater
part Of his speech in opposition 10 the appoint-
ment Fearing that might have misunderstood
him. and not wishing TO rely entirely on my own
judgment, IN a matter in hich anolher was so
materially concerned, applied 10 Mr.. Lloyd OF
Massachusetts, who sat to, and directly in
front of, Mr. Branch, 10 know whether in his OPT
mon, any thing had been said b, Mr.. hich
would render II proper to move for an inquiry
Mr.. Lloyd answered, that nothing had fallen
from Mr. b. which would make a motion Of
thai kind necessary; and the same opinion was ex
pressed TO me by at least one other Senator.
/ therefore gave up the idea of moving tor an in
vestga'ion. The Speech of Mr.. Branch which
was published by himself some time ago, Is,
have no doubt, as correct a statement as he coul,
make of what he delivered to The Senate But.
| must confess. that, at this time, can SCI
I nothing in it which would have induced me 4
have adopted a different course. II appear Il
I me, thar should neither have consulted The public
| interest, nor the honor OF Mr.. Clay, in calm,
! for inquiry, when the accuser If accuser b.
can be called -decsred that he had no proof T.
I OFFER but what each member OF the Senate, ant
; every one else, possessed.
! 'On the day that the nomination was acted OF
by the Senate, on the succeeding one, / inform
! ed Mr. Clay that nothing had passed in the Sensu
which made II necessary move for The iny es
! LEGATION which he had solicited. The assertion o
the fact by Mr. Branch is sufficient evidence TO me
| hat several of the Senator'S who voted with him a
! gainst Mr.. Clay's appoin ment, were governed b,
the same motives and feeling towards that gentle
however, relation to his colleague: for soon afte
+, the vote had been taken, Mr.. Macon spproachs,
me, and, observed that he had not been influence,
/ in opposing Mr.. Clay's appointment, by any 81
4 minu,ion OF his confidence in his integrity, bu
solely the ground OF the iIude of ccHsiTuc,io
i'4 rriier 10 lie Gnns&jsE 'iVzScUn riia
/ should communicate THE observation to Mr. CIav
and knowing the pleasure that il " ouid give 10 III
latieT,to find that he still possessed the esteem, n
his old friend and associate, did not fail 10 men
ton his slso 10 Mr.. Clay
W. II. HARRISON