Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-08-09

lnited together; at present, his contrao,ct'on
! something suggested by himself, and is moi
contained in my letter. n.
The statcment contained 10 my letter TO MT.
is this: THAI, in January, s25, a mem,
Der Of Congress, Of high responsibility, visited
me one morning and obseryed-"he had oeeh
informed by the friends of Mr.. Clay, mat inc
friends Of Mr.. Adams had made oyertures 10
them, saying, If Mr.. Clay and his iriends wo9la
unite in aid Of the election OF Mr.. Adams mr
Clay should be Secretary OF State; 'hat Tue
friends of Mr. Adams were urging, as reason
to induce the friends Of Mr.. Clay 10 aceeos 10
this proposition, that if was elected fresiueht
Mr.. Adams would be continued Secretary OF
State, (iruendo, there would be no room lot
Kentucky that the friends OF Mr.. Clay stated,
the West did not wish 10 separate from tue
West, and If would say, or permit anyo IN!
confidential friends 10 say, that In case was e
lected President Mr. Adams should not be con-
tinued Secretary Of State, by complete union
of Mr.. Clay and his friends, they would put an
end to The Presidential contest in one hour; and
he was of opinion it was right TO hghi such IN
triguers with their own weapons
This disclosure was made to me BY Mr..
James Buchanan, a member Of Congress from
Pennsylvania, gentleman Of the first respecta-
blity and intelligence. The evening before,
he had communicated, substantially, the same
proposition to Major Eaton, my colleague IN
the Senate, with desire warmly manifested
that he should communicate with me, and as
certain my views on the subject. This he de-
olined doing, suggesting to Mr.. Buchanan that
he, as we'll as HIMSELF could converse with me,
and ascertain my opinion; though, from ms
knowledge Of me, he thought he could we'll con-
lecture nv answer-tha l would enter INTO
engagements whatever. 1t was the morning
succeeding this interview, after Major Eaton
had objected 10 converse with me on the sub
iect. and before had set out from my lodging
for the Capitol, that MIR. Buchanan came to vi
sit me, and when the conversation have stat
ed took place. The answer returned has alrea-
DIV been published, and need not here be repeat
ed.
| TO be thus approached by a gentleman OF
! Mr.. Buchanan's high character and standing,
with an apology proffered al the time for what
he was about to remark to income who, as
understood, had always, to that moment, been
on familiar and friendly terms with Mr.. Clay,
assuring me that on certain terms and condl-
tions being assented 10 on my part, then, "by
an union Of Mr.. Clay and his friends,'th would
put.an end 10 the Presidential contest in one
hour" what other conclusion or inference was
|
either of Mr. Clay himself or some OF his con-
6dcn,ia, friends. The character Of Mr.. Bu-
chanan, with me, forbids the idea that he was
acting on his own responsibility, or that, under
apy circumstances, he could have been induce.
TO propose an arrangement, unless possessed OF
satisfactory assurances, that, if accepted, it
would be carried fully into effect A weak
mind would seldom or ever be thus disposed TO
ieiflli "a appearing al that
| time, l did not resist the impression that Mr.
Buchanan had approached me on the cautious.
ly submitted proposition Of some authorized
person; and therefore, in giving him my answer
did request him "to say to Mr.. Clay and has
friends" what that answer had been. Whe,h-
er the communication was made 10 Mr., Clay
and his friends, know not; this, though, I do
know, tina: while the opinions and course of
Mr.. Clay as 10 the election, were but matter Of
conjecture with many at and before this time,
very shortlyafter this conversation took place,
his, and his friends opinion became forthwith
matter of certainty and general knowledge
Sill have not said, nor do | now say, that the
proposal made 10 me was "Uiih he pyiviiy and
consen" Of Mr.. Clay, nor, either, have / said
that his friend, in Congress made propositions 10
me. These are Mr.. Clay's interpretations OF
my letter to Mr. Beverley, and not what nv let
ter itself contains. What / have stated, are
The facts Of conversation between myself and
a member of Congress Of high responsibility.
The conclusion and inference from that CONVEX
sation-,he time-manner-an all The cIrcum-
stances. satisfied my mind shat it was not unau.
thorized So have thought, and SO still
think; and yet, again repeat, that in this sup.
position may have possibly done Mr.. Clay in
justice. If he should be able to sustain the a.
verments he has made, and acquit himself of
any agency and participation in the mar,er,
beg leave to assure him that, so far from afford
ing me pain, it will give me pleasure. Ger.
tainly can have no desire that the character Of
my country, through the acts Of prominent
citizen shall rest under any serious imputa,on:
for the honor ofthat country, should greatly
prefer that any inference have made may turn
out TO be i'll founded.
Mr.. Clay declares his great satisfaction, that
this matter has at last been brought to light,
and TO public consideration. He feels reioiced
" that specific accusation by responsible &C
l. l., L III.