Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-07-21
PNCVxDENCE.
MR.. CLAY'S REPLY.


Consiock, arrived here. on Wednesday last ,
from New-York, We received the Lexington
Kentucky Reporter Of the 4th inst. containing
the reply Of the Hon. Henry Clay, Secretary
OF State, to the Letter Of General Andrew
Jackson, addressed 10 Mr.. Carter Beverly, in
which certsn charges of political corruption,
were preferred by the General, against MIR.
Clay.
As the reply had been anxiously looked for,
and as the friends Of the Secretary Of State,
waited for its arrival with intense interest, as
soon after it reached Us, as was pract cable,
We laid it before our town readers, in the
shape Of a handbll. If we could have sup
piled our country patrons in time, we should
have gladly donc SO; but as the thing was
umpracticablc, we content ourselves with
handing il TO them in to-day's paper.
Our fiiends will perceive, that the reply is
written in that bold and manly style, which
ever distinguishes the performances of the
Secretary OF State; and that he manfllly and
io,rlessly, and honestly denies. and Indignantly
repels, the accusations Of his great political ri
val The reply, wo suppose is nothing but
prelude to the numerous documents which it
must necessarily call forth, and which will be
left TO the consideration Of an impartial pub
lie for their decision.
If il were not dangerous to indulge in pre-
dctions, We should venture to predict, that the
controversy, which this document will call
forth, will in the end, close all the hopes Gen.
eral Jackson has Of prefcment, and land him
on the same shelf, with his friend and parlizan,
the political suicide, MIR. Jonathan Russell. for
we are fully assured, that General Jackson, has
not permanent basis for the foundation of his
tales.
If he had the overtnres made to him, which
he aflirms he had, it is passing strange, that he
did not disclose them at the moment, and thus
when 1t was IN his power. by an exposure of
an ipiquitous political bargain, and sale, cut off
the hopes of Mr.. Adams, PROSTATE Mr. Clay,
and at the instant, place himself in the presi-
dental char;--at that post of honor for which
he has so long, and SO ardcntly painted! If he
had the overtues made, which he avows he
had, why did he not like an honest and indig-
nant Patriot, spurn Mr.. Adams from his pres
cnce, when he found that he corrupty entered
the chair of State But how different was his
department! When the result of the election
had been made known, and it was declared by
the Speaker Of the House Of Representatives,
that John Quincy Adams. was constitutionally
elected President of the United States for four
years, from the 9TH of March 1925, as soon as
al opportunity presented itself, he approa ched
aim, cordially offered him his hand, and con-
graduated Inn or has success: and said to
him, sir, although l was an aspirant for the
Office, and the honors which have been con-
ferred upon you, still my defeat shall not mar
our friendship, and cheerfully submit to the
decisions of my country! This instance ofsell
complacency and retiring modesty, was at tho
moment lauded to the skies, and the magma
nimity Of tie hero, was hymncd throughout
the country. If he ever had the overtures
made him, which he declares he had, he must
have been one of the most consumnate bypo-
critics the world ever afforded.
That the General was quiued, by some ir-
responsible and unauthorized person at the
time in question, who whispered to him that n
har ho do
But then it is apparent from the whole aspect
Of the affair, that if any ovcrtures were made
TO him, they came in very questionable
shape, and that he placed no confidence in the
man that made them; for if he had confided in
them, it is not probable that he would have
suffered them TO sleep till this late hour.
The whole affair, so far as General Jackson
is concerned in it, appears TO us, TO be a re-
diculous farce, got up in an hour of extremity,
to effect great political object; and we do
not hesitate to predict, that in the end, it will
hold its author, up TO the contempt Of
the world. As for Mr.. Clay, he has too long
been tried and found honest and faithful, to be
doubted at this time of day, and We arc re-
joiccd to add, that the great mass Of the New
England people, have undiminished confidence
in his patriotism and political integrity. lie
has openly md fcarlessly met his accuscr, on
his own ground; the combat has been COM
mcnced, and we impa;icntly await the issue of
the contest and a, the same time, feel perfect
ly satisfied, that the Secretary Of State, will
leave the field a conqucror and triumphant.
But we will not dctain tho reader any lon