Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-08-10

west, and 1t l would cay, or permit any Of my
confidential friends TO say, tha; in case was elect
ed President, Mir Adam. should not be continued
Secretary of State. by complete union of Mr.
Clay anu hts friends, they would put end to the
Presidential comics, in one hour; and lie of O.
pmion that 1t right i such intl eegs W i,h
their weapons"
This disclosure made 10 me by Mr.. James
Buchanan, a member of congress from Penn-yiva-
mia, gentleman OF The irs reepccabiliiy and intel
lisence The evening before, he had communities sd
substantially, the same propostion.io Major Eaton
my colleague IN the Senate, with desire warmly
manifested that he should communicate witt, u,.
and ascertain my views on the subject. This be
declined Doing, -uggesting to Mr. Buchanan that
he as well ~ himself, could converse with me- and
ascertain my opinion; though, from his KNOWLEDGE
OF me, he Thought he could Well conjecture my au-
swer-that ! would enter into no engagements
whatever IL was the uorni>, succeeding this in
ierview sitter MajOr Eal ~ had objected TO converse
with me on The subjsct and before had set out
from my lodgin; Tor the capitol, that Mr.. Buchanan
came 10 wilt me. and when the conversation ]
have stated took place. The answer returned has
already 5sca published, aad need not LeIe be re-
peated.
To be thus approached By a gentleman IF hir.
buchsnsn's high character end standing, with an
apology proGeed at he time Tor what he was 5 VI,
to remark 10 me-oae v no, a. understood, had
always, TO hat moment, been on familiar and friend
~ terms with Mr.. Clay, assuring etlst on certain
terms ana conditions being aEsenied to my part
then, Z" by union OF Mr.. Clay and his friends
they would put end to the Presidential contest
TIA one hour, ~ what other conclusion or inference
was to be made, than that he spoke by authority,
either of Mr.. Clay himself or some of his confiden-
tiai friends. The character of Mr. Buchanan with
me iorbids the idea that he acting on his own
responsibility or thai under any circumstance he
could have been Induced 10 propose an arrangement,
unless possessed OF satisfactory assurances, that if
accepted, it would be carried fully into effect. a
weak in;nd woGld seldom ever lie thus dspos-d
10 act, an Intelligent
Under all the circumstances appearing AZ tina;
time, 1 did -ot resist the impression thai Mr.. Blu.
chanan had approached on the cautiously sub
'Vitied proposition OF rome authorized pcrsen; and
therefore, IN giving him my answer did request
him - TO say 10 Mir. Clay and BIZ friends,'' what
That answer had been. Whether the conmunica-
ton was made to hIT. Clay and his fiends know
not; this, though. do know. that while the O.
Pinions and course of Mr. Clay, as 10 the elec-
'ion, we're but matter of conjecture with many at
and before this ilme very shortly after this CONVEX
sa'ion took place. his, s his friends opinion became
forthwith, matter OF certainty & general luo Wedge
SILL have not said, nor do now say, dat the
proposal made 10 me was " Irith the pIiuitv and
consent OF Air. Clay, nor, either, have said that
his JTtcuds aH Congress made propositions 10
me. These are MIR. Gays interpretations of my
letter TO Mr. Beverly, and not what my letter it.
self contains. What have stated are the facts OF
conversation between myself and member of
Congress OF high respectabilIty. The conclusion
and inference from ,lsr conyer=ation-ihe time -
manner and all the circumstances, satisfied nv
mind that il unauthorized Sol have
thought, and so skill think; aud Yet, again re
peat that in this supposIion may have possibly
done Mr. Clay Injustice. Ii lie should be able 10
sustain tie aveTments be has made, and acguit
himself OF any agency and participation in The
matter, beg leave to assure h.r that 40 far from
aifording Inc pain, ii wi give me Ileasnre GER
airiy have IPsr ihatt 81,
country, through the acts Of prominent citizen.
shall rest under any serious imnutsiion - for the
honor of that cnuniry,i should greatly prefer, TIN,
any difference have made, may ;uIn out 10 be il!
founded.
Mr.. Clay declares bis great satisfaction. tina; this
matter has at last been brought to iisb., and 10
public consideration. lie feels Iejoic ed 'fhat spe.
enc accusation ny = responsible accuser has at
length appeared" To thi- passing notice is due.
II must be recol!ected. that IN Consequence Of
letter from Mr.. George kremer in January, 1925.
an eaquiTy was aet on foot in CoDsress upon the
application OF Mr.. Clay himself
On this memorable occa-ion, OF guilt imputed
on the one hand, and innocence maintained on the
other, Mr. McDufiie, it will be reco.lected, sub.
miited FOR consideration 10 he IIouse of Repre
sen,atiVes, as matter Of instruction TO The commit
tee, the following resolution That .he said
committee I've Instructed 10 enquire whether the
friends OF MIR. Clay have limited, that they would
fight for those who would pay best, or any this
10 that eject end whether OYertuTes were said to
have been made 10y the friends of Adams IN the
friends OF Dir. Clay, offering the appointment OF
Secretary OF Stale for his all to elect Adams
and whether the friends Of Clay gave This infor
nation 10 the friends Of Jackson and linteIthat #
his irieads would offer he same price they would
close with them and whether Henry CLAW hss |
transferred, resolved 10 transfer his interest IN
John .. Adams and whether it was said and
believed that a consideration for this abandon, ,
neBt Of duty to liz constituents Clay was 10 hs
appointed Secretary of State, and that the SAID
committee be authorised TO send for persons and
papers, and to compel the persons So sent Tor
10 answer upon oath.
Now here is resolution, officially submitted
covering more than he ground Of uy ccmnpnira,
ton TO MI. Beverly; and resting in connection with
an accusation publicly charged in the ney-oaDe,s.
and yet, MT. Clay, at this late period, professe. To
be TeloiceJ, that " specific accusation bt @ res
Pohsi5ie accGser, has at length appeared Ger
family more ihan two years ago, accuseT respect
able, and an accusation specific were boTh before
Eim-wcFe both within biz reach, and might have
been met, had be been at all dispo-ed TO the inter
view, or reJo!ced az thc prospect Oh iueein. an &C.
cuseF. lid NJ M'Duife believed the char o
grouDd!ess and untrue, he is 2 man Of too higi I
sense OF homer TO have pressed upon the consIsSs-
uon OF the committee ~ instruction clothed In the
pointed phraseology that this j.; nor ran it bs in
Tered, That In matter scIioils the friends f NJ
Clay would have yoed against extending this ask
Ell Tor power 10 the Committee. IN innocent man
before impartial ribGns fears not 20 ,e.t he
exercise OF any power that competent authority
gives; and far less should tie dsirus that exercise
when in the hands OF correct and houorable men. Y
Innocence never seeks for safety through cover,
ways and hidden ''r1.scs's eIs hghis by day and
ia the open plain, and proud IN her own strength
lfgrfa L.,