The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1827-08-16
ly terms with mr.. Clay, Assuring ne ,hat

be made, than that he spoke by authority,
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 his own responsibility, or
that, under any circumstances, he could |
have been induced to propose an arrange.
ment, unless possessed of satisfactory assu.
RANGES, that, If accepted, il would be carried |
fully into effect. A weak mind would sell !
dom or ever be thus disposed TO act, an in
telligent one never.
Under all the circumstances appearing |
at that time, | did not resist the impression |
! that mr.. Buchanan had approached me on |
the cautiously submitted proposition Of some /
authorised person; and, therefore, in giving |
! him my answer, did request him "io say to /
mr.. Clay and his friends" what tn OF answer /
had been. Whether the communication !
was made to or. Clay and his friends, ]
know not: this, though, DO knew, that
while the opinions and course of mr.. Clay
as 10 the election. were but mstter Of con- |
lecture with many at and before this time.
very shortly after this conversation took |
place, his, and his friends. opinion became !
forthwith matter of certainty ard general
know ledge. Still have rot said, nor do !
DOW sry. that the proposal made 10 me was
"uih The pJiriU and consent of mr.. Clay II
nor, either. have | said that s,fiien DIS in
Congress made propositions 10 pe. These
are mr.. Clay's interpretations o. my letter
TO mr.. Beverley and not what ny letter it
self contains. What have sta ed. are the
Its Of conversation between myself and
a member of Congre So oi high respectable
ity. The conclusion and inference from
that conversation--tE tine--manner-and
all the circumstances. satisfied my mind
that il was not unauthorized. So | have
thought, and so | still think ; and yet, a
gain repeat that IN this snpposition mSy
have possb'y done Mr.. Clay injustice. If
ho should be able to sustain the ayerments
he has made, and acquit himself Of any
gency and participation in the matter, beg
; leave to assure him that, so far from afford
ing me pain, it will give me pleasure.
. certainly can have no desire that the char.
acicr Of ny country. through the acts Of a
prominent citizen, shah rest under any Sc
t rious mputation: for the honor at that
! country, should greatly prefer that any
I reference have made may turn out to he
i'll founded.
o Mr.. Clay declares his great satisfaction
{ that this matter has at last hcen brought to
- liyht, and to public consideration. lie feels
- rejoiced "that specific accusation by n
;. responsible accuscr has at length appear
cd" To this passing notice IS due.
. Itmust be recolleaied, that in conse.
s. qurnce of letter from mn. George Kre
j. mer in January. 1925. an inquiry was set on
h foot in Congress upon the application OF
{ mr. Clay himself
Y On this memorable occasion &c guilt i'm
+. ruled on the one banda innoo ence main.
q taincd on the other mr.. McDuie, it will be
7. rccollected submitted for consideration to
s, the House of Renrpseutatives a matter OF
:. instruction to- the committee, the following
q resolution: That the said committee be
, instructed 10 INQUIRE whether The friends
Y ofmr. Clav have hinted tha; they would
!" rght Cor tlgnse who would paw best, or any
o thing 'othat effect ami whether oyertTes
r. were said TO have been made bythe friends
v. Of 4 dams 10 the friends Of mr.. Clay, offer
,s mo the appointment of Secretary Of State
'c Cor his aid to elect Adams: and whether
~ the friends Of Claw gave this information
rs ~ the friends of Jackson, and limited if his
Of friends would offer the same price, they
n would close with them: and whether Hen
IN ~ CLAW has transferred, or resolved to
7 'rnrefcr his interest to John q. Adams send
". -
70 consideration for this abandonment of duty
r 20 his constituents, Clay was to- he appoint
If ed Secretary of State, aud that the saiC
committee be authorized to send for per
TO sons and paDers, and 10 compel the persons
> so sent for 20 answer upon oath"
i. Now. here is resolution. officially sub
-- mitted, covaring more than the ground o
of my communication to mr.. Beverley; ant
ms resting in connexiou with an accusation
r pnblicklv charged in the newspapers : ant
of vet, mr. Clav.st this late nerod,proiesses t.
rv he reiniced that specific accusation. by
ns a responsible accuserhcs at lcngth appear
10 ed" Certainly more than two years age
o. an accuser respectable. and an accusation
IT. specific were both before him-were boti
Of within his reach. and might have been met
m had he been al all disposed to the interview
~ or reioicei st The prospect Of meeting al
n accuser. Had Mr. NcDufie believed the
lr charge croundles and untrue. he Is mar
V, Of too high sense of honor to have pressed
.. upon the consideration Of tho committee or
v instruction clothed in the pointed phraseol
" ogv that this j. nor can 1t be inferred, that
to in \ matter so serious, the friends oi mr.
ID CLAW would have voted against extending
h thisasked foy powerto the Committee. AT
innocent man before m impartial u'huna
n. fears not 10 meet the exercise ofany power
IS that compotent authority gives; and fa'
st loss should he distrust that exercise wher
n ir tic hands of correct and honorable men
n. Innocence never socks for safety through
n, cover, WAYS and hidden ambuscodes she
re fights by day and in the open plain. anC
u rrord in her own strength, meets her enc
m nv fear'esslv IN The proposition submit