Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-08-17
DOMESTIC.
MR.. BUCnANAN's STATEMENT.
10 The Editor ofthe Lancaster Jomrna

from Generat jackson 10 the public dated on the
18th ultimo, in which he has announced ine to be
The member otCong,ess to whom he had referred
in his letter Mr.. Beverly of the 9th oil June last
The dnty which owe to ;hc public, and my
cell compefs to publish the world, the
only conversation which ever held with General
Jackson upon the subject of the las, Presidential
election pIior TO It's termination.
IL, the mon,h of December, 1924, shoT, time
after the commencement OF the session of Com
cress, heard among other rumors then IN circula-
lion, that Gen. jackson had determined, should
he be elected PRECEDENT, to continue Mr. Adams
IA the office of Secretary of State. Although /
ielt certain hs had never iutimated such inten-
ton, yet was sensible that uoibing could be bet
ter calculated, both to cool the ardour of his friends
and inspire mis- enemies with confidence, than the be-
lief that he had already selected his chef competor
for he highest office within his gift. thought
General Jackson owed It to himself aud to The
in which his political friends were engaged,
to contradict this report; and to declare that he
would not appoint 10 that Office the man, however
worthy he might be, who staod at the head of the
most formidable party OF his political enemies
These being my Impressions, addressed letter
TO a confidential friend in Penns VI ania then and
aiiii high in Office, and exalted in character, and
one who had been the decided advocate OF
General Jakhsons election, requesting his opinion
and advice upon the subject. | received his an
swes, dated 27ih December, 1874, upon the S9th
which is now before me, and which strengthened
" determined, either that L would ask General
jackson myself or &c, another of his blends To ask
him. whether he had declared, he W ould an
point Mr.. Adams his Secretary of State. In this
manner hoped contradiction of the report NIGH
be obi aimed from himself and that he might proba
bly, declare il was hi. intention TO appoint Mr.
Adams.
A ehort time previous TO the receipt Of the let -
Ter 10 which have referred, my friend Mr. Mark
ley and my self got into conversation as we very
often did, both before and after upon the subject
Of the Presidential election, and concerning the
person who would probably be selected by Gene
al Jackson TO fiji the Office of Secretary OF State
feel sincerely sorry that | am compelled thus to
introduce his name, but do so, with the less re-
luctance because il has all sady, without any agen-
cy of mine, found its way into the newspapers, in
connection with this transaction
Mr.. Markley adverted to the rumor which I have
mentioned, and said it calculated 10 iniure the
General. He observed that Mr.. CIay's friends
were warmly attached to him, and that he thoush,
they would endeavour to act in concert at the e &C.
ton. That if they did so, they could elect either MIR
Adams General Jackson their pleasure, but
that many of them would never agree to vote for
the latter, if they knew he had predict ermined 10
prefer another to Mr. Clay, for the first Office in
his gift; and that some of the friends of Mr. a.
Dams had already been haaDg out the idea, that in
c.se he were elected, Mr.. Clay might probably be
Tersd the situation of Secretary of State
Jack-on had never said he would appoint Mr. Ad-
ans Secretary OF State; because he was not in the
habit OF conversng upon the subject Of the election
and If he were, whatever might be his secret in
fenton, be had more prudence than to make such
declaration. mentioned TO him that had been
thinking either that would call upon the General
myself or get one OF his other freuds TO DO So and
thus endesvour TO obtain from him a contradiction
Of the report; although doubted Wheeler he would
hold any conversation upon The subject
Mr.. Msrkley urged me to do so and observed
If Gen. Jackson had not determined whom he W ould
appoin; Secretary OF State, and should say tina, i,
would moi be Mr.. Adams, it might be of great ad-
vantage TO cause for US so TO declare upon his
own authority we should then be placed upon the
same footing with the Adams men, aud might fight
hem with their weapons. That the western
members would naturally prefer voting for wes:.
ern man, 1t there were probability that the claims
OF Mr.. Clay to the second Office in the Government
should be fairly estimated; and that if they thought
proper 10 vote for Gen. Jackson they could soon
decide the contest in his favor.
a short time after this conversation On the 3O,b
II December, 1884, q am enabled TO f. the time
not only from my own recollection, but from let
tiers which wrote on that day, on the day follow
ing, and on the 81 January, 1887 l called upon
q en-. Jackson. After the company had left him
by which found him ounded, he asked me to
lake walk with him; and whilst we were walking
together upon the street, in;roduc Ell the SUBJECT
told nun WIsheu 10 Ask question In relation to
she Presidential election; that 1 knew lie was un-
willing to converse upon the subject that therefore
e he deemed The question improper, he might re-
fuse 10 give il an answer. That my only motiy
asking il, friendship for him AMI trusted he
would excuse me for thus Introducing a subject up-
IN which, knew be wished TO be silent
His reply was complimentary 10 myself, and ac
cpmpsned with request that would proceed |
EN- stated to him there report in circulation.
bat he had determined he would appoint Mr., Ad-
ans secretary OF stats, in case he were elect ed
President, and that wishe ed to ascertain from him
whether he had ever intima,ed such an intention.
That he must at once perceive how Injurious to
his election such a report might be. That no doubt
there were several able and ambitious men in the
rountTy, among whom / thought Mr. CLAW might
he included, who aspiring 10 that office, and
! il were believed, he had already determined TO
sppoin bis chief competitor, it m igh have mos,
alh7ppy effect upon Their exertions and those OF
Leir ifends.- That usess he had so de- ermined |
bought this report should be promptly contradicted
under his own authority
mentioned, It had slready probably done him
some injury, and proceeded to relate 20 him the
6 DISTANCE Of the conversation which / held with
flr. Marley. do not remember whether mem
TONED bis name or merely described him as a friend
81 Mr.. Clay.
Aiier had finished, the General declared he had
no, the least objection snsw er lie qrestion That
he thought well Of Mr.. Adams, but had never said
or lnmated that he would or that he would not an
point him Secretary Of State. That these were Sc
~sets he would keep 20 hinself-he would conceal |
ihem from the very hairs Of his head Tha, If he !
believed his right hand then knew what his left |
= oud do, upon the subject OF appointments to Of
ire, be would cut il oil and cast il into the FIRE
hat If he should ever be elected President. /, |
would be without solicitation aud without INTRIGUE
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