Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1827-09-22
POETTLCAI,
From he National hteiiigencer.
NhMpDEN-No. Y.

7 r.,
Ciays friends was made by Air. Buchanan TO General
Jackson, by which they promised to make him Pre-.
sident III ore hour, if he would pledge himself
put MI Adams into the seat of Secretary oF State
and consequently Mr.. buchanan could have carried
back no answer TO such proposition. Here the qucs
ton might rest.
The discrepancy in the statement of Gen jackson
and Mr. Buchanan is marked and striking. They
cannot stand together: they are utterly at variance
and irreCouci!able.
! General Jackson is incapable of misrepresenng
deliberately aud Intentionally; il will cos, him nothing
10 acknowledge that he has been mistaken; he will be
happy to know that the is his that Mr.. Buch-
anan's truth and honor preserved and 'that the
"character of his country has not suffered through the
'sac,s of prominent citizen" Mr.. Buchanan and
Mr. Markley also men of trut! aud honestv and
the only Interpretation which can, in justice and can
dor be put their conversation and the only object
which be ascrbed 10 them, consistent with their
high and fair character, ia, that they meant no more
than place themselves before the friends of Mr. CLAW
ssou tho same footing with the Adams menu BIZ as
suring them that tie claims OF Air. Clay should be
fairly estimated. If Mr. Buchanan intended 10 hold
out any other higher inducements TO Mr.. Clay's
friends he viii incur the odium well the guilt
of being the master spirit of the intrigue and satisfy
all that he failed IN the means aud in the ability 10
conduct, not in the disposition consurnmate it, In
this view all will be fair and clear. General Jack son
has Inexperienced the subject, and Injustice done
Mr.. Clay is confessed.
! II we admit the presump,iou, against all evidence
that MIR. Mafkley IS the friend of MIR. Clay and that
Mr.. buchanan entered into the intrigue and actually
carried the proposition in that form to Gen. Jackson
thcn II must result that Mr. Buchanan par;cipator
IN the crime and that he ''capable of carrying such
message" The truth Of Gen. Jachson's declaration
is not compatible with his innocence This was fore
seen. IL was known that lie must be sacrificed. He
in the awful situation of either denying th; truth
OF the statement, or of signing his condemnation
If Mr. Buchanan did make the propositions he saws
he ,cas not authorized But Gen. jackson says sthe
character of Mr.. buchanan with orbids the idea
'that he was acting on his own responsibility, that,
'under any circumstances he would have been Undue
I a pnf -
satisfactory that, If accepted il would be
carried fully into effect n ,rca mind 7ould seldom
or erer be M disposed to Gct-a sensible one ,ever
Ii Mr. Buchanan did make the propositions there is
nolhir. in the conversation with hr. Markley TO ius
ify any proposition from MIR Clay, the designation
! OF him the friend of Mr. Clay is the necessity
perceived of exposing friend by mternosing him be
tween the public and himself OF disclosing familiar
and casual conversation, and violating, the freedom of
social intercourse. Mr.. Malsley is placed in the
foreground of :le picture aud every thing is referred
TO him. and all the treason is made issue from h,s
mouth. He is consulted like an oracle, and he res
ponds like prophet.
Mr.. Buchanan, early in the session, heard among
other fHnl0rS, that General jackson had determined,
TO make Mr.. Adams Secretary of State. Being anx-
ions for the OF the General, and ssensble fas
she says) that nothing could be better calculated to
coot The a'dor Of his Friends and inspire his enemies
Uith confidence" mot word about ;'those able and
"ambtous men who were aspiring to that Office a.
'mong whom Mr.. Ciayr-'upon whose excrtions
and upon whose friends such report was calculated
wrote 10 friend, high in office exalted in character
and the advocate of General Jackson REQUESTING his
advice upon the subject. The answer confirmed his
previous opinion Gle then faqNy determined 10 ask
"he General himself, 10 get another friend to as,
'him, whether lie had declared that he would an
'point Mr.. Adams Secretary of State.D There is no
thing wrong in all THIS and it is only surprispr he
should have found necessary TO consult friend and
10 approach the General with SO much caution and
with such apologies. But why introduce MIR. Mark
ley The interview was not sought by him. he had
npf tho
Jackson. The meeting accidental Tile CON-
Tersation casual private, familiar, and friendly and
consequently ne0 and unguarded With the news thus
oolaea ne goes 10 General Jackson, and represents
Mr.. Marley as friend of Mr. Clay, and repeats the
! conversation. He himself says he canot remember
whether he mentioned Aiis name, merely described
chin as the friend of No Clay"-and afterwards he
''says che is sincerely sorry that he is comueIled In
"imsroc"ce his namei but he does so with less reluc
"tance, because ii has already, tCjtonE his ageacy
"iouDd its way into the papers in connection " iii dis
"iransaction" That is he cOnsults with Mr.. hiarkIev
about the means TO the election of the General
and without any other object. Ills name is given nm
and bis character suied with suspicion ola base in
trgue. The General communicates the fact TO a pub
lie editor, by whom lie only insulied but grossly
, abused
The statement of Mr.. Buchanan is now adgerted 10.
10 shew that 10 proposition warranted or can be
deduced from the remarks OF Mr. Markiey. Mr. Mark
ley said, |the (that MIR. Adams was to be an
'pointed Secretary of Sate) was calculated to niure
'the GeDeral"-urged hin 10 obtain contradiction OF
cause
''FoR Us so to declare upon his authority.n :'Ue
"shodld then be upon equai footing with the Adams
'rnen, and might fight them with their own weapons
lie reasons the very wisely with MIR. Buchanan
lie Observed that the friends Of Mr.. Clay were warm
ely attached 10 him, and that he thought they would
"endeaVor TO act in concert"-"that they could soon
decide the contest"-.'that the Western members
"Rould naturally prefer voting for Western man. if
There were probability that the claims of MIR. Clay
'o the second oicc the Government shoula be fair
ely eS!InHici.n
What is there in ibis unrcslrainej expression of OPT
Mon 10 Indicate that Mr.. Makcy the friend Of Mr.
Clay: 1e Identities himself with ie feelings of Mr.
buchanan, and the Uj Gen. Jackson, BY the use
vi the words ,rc and as.
What is there to indicate that lie meant 10 authorize
proposition on the part Of MI Cia! OF lis iend; ana
where IS his authority:
During this period Of deep interest TO the country
tie utmost latitude OF speculation and conjecture was
iDdulged-eyery made his own reflections and cal
culatioDs-uot member Of Congress, scarcely lead
ing man in any part of the Union, who did not form
10 his mind some CON lecture who wonld compose the
0.fi s.fr ,,F I.