Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-06-29
To Tie Editors of the Enquirer
WILLIAMSBURG 18th June, 1927
THE PANAMA MISSION

am no great politician, and you may, therefore
not he disposed TO hear any Thing from me in re
gard to the affairs OF the nations but il belongs o
my nature, always to view matters in their true
colors raise the curtain, and occasionally lake
peep into the green room Some time since, it, n
conversation with devoted friend of Henry Clay,
after recounting the many of NAL admnistra
tion recommended and pursued by John q Adams,
highly oppressive to the people OF he u Staies,
and pregnant with intrigue and corruption, cited
one instance of Henry Clay's official conduct, so
slaringly dishonest, that II seemed to stagger my
opponent Tor an explanation. He fel, confident,
however, that was altogether mistaken in the
circumstances of the alluded TO. but concluded
by saying, that II my statement was correct, his
confidence in Mr. Clay's integrity would be greatly
diminishej.''
Ills possible that may be in error, s not having
file of the Enquirer at hand, J have thought pro-
per 10 request that you WILL through the medium
OF that paper, give true account OF the whole
affair, and put he subject entirely rest. Even
admitting that am mistaken, l am, nevertheless
fully prepared TO believe that Henry Clay would
mol scTuple 10 practice such srIce or any act of
the kind, although frsught with the grossest mpo
sition, which might in any supper; that ed-
fee s<fully reared under his special agency and
management. What contended Tor, was his
that some time during the last session of Congress
(say January or February, pro aby,) Mr.. Secrets
ry Clay required by Congress report, as early
as practicable, the number and names of the charges
des AifsiTes, Secretaries of Legation. Sc appoint
ed by this Government from the year 90 up to
that period; specify distinctly the time when each
was commissioned the time a. which the salary
commenced - in what cases computed from the da {
OF the commission in what cases wrbheld-and
for what reasons, sc. &C. (having an eye no doubt
to the appointment OF John "A. King and VIM. B.
Rochester, Now, If my recollection serves III
rightly, in MIR. Clay's very ingenious repor, giving
the information required by the resolution of Con
gsess, he stated that William ID Rochester was
commissioned as Secretary OF the Legation to the
Congress OF Panama, in June, 1926, but owing 10
circumstances, altogether unavo dable AID beyond
their coniroul, (liluding, presume to ihe climate
OF 5. Americs) the ambassadors to that Congress
did not sail uuii the Ociobe following That al the
time VIM. b. Rochester receive ed his appointment,
he held judseship in the interior of the State Of
New York, upon which bis maini enance very much
depended (hinied at in the repor,, } which Office
ne forthwith resigned; and It being indispensable
that he should remain in the city OF New York, in
order that he might be in readiness to sail at mo
ment's warning, shat, therefore, his salary WIN.
b. Rochester commenced from The date Of his
commission. Some short time after this report oil
MI ClaJ 5 made It's appearance; it appears TO me-
that saw published in the Enquirer an extract oi
letter from William b. Rochester to Governo,
Clinton, tOritfeu The tcintey preceding The meet
11g Of Congress SoheJl the .EitioteTs to P1nn-
ma UeTe appointed, in which he resigns his Judge
SHIP GU account OF his III health operating as a bar
10 mat degree Oh attention required IN station Of
chat sort His resignation accepted, aud Mr.
William B. Rochester repaired To the City OF
Washington, aud there remained the most of the
winter.
The truth of The case is this: Henry Clay found
himself in difficulty and how TO get out OF n, , he
scarcely knew - he put 10 his fTuHps, and az
Ter all, there seemed 10 be miss dcdL The una
voida5le circumstances which operated so lOrcIbly
IN preventing the Embassy to Panama from sailing
At an earlier period were these: (as III Clay very
well knew William b. Rochester and Mr. Ser
gesnt had long since been drilled in political tao
tics they knew the many advsnla geous moves on
The political chess boafd--ibe7 knew full well that
tbeT services were more required in New York
and Pennsylvania 10 support tottering Adniniss
ifston, Than they could possibly be in 5. America
with Simon Boliyar and his sage statesmen. But
marx you WIN. Il. Rochester would fam have
been Goy.of New York al the very time when he
should have been on his way to Panama lie G
Isetioneered much for il, but sll would no, do
snd he concluded 10 ssil--I II be had become one OF
tie party Of inns, New York, ia the count.
would have stood for Adams. I hope however.
that all will end well ! wish to see John o
Adams add his whole Cabinet disr saced, and Old
Hickory, with soms others, Of lualy stubborn
growth, planted IN their stead; ard 10 procure ,s
enl. shall use all honorable means.
Shi Old Juu, Therefore, fad Ar. Henry CLAWS
fepon' and hccbesier's letter, give the,u an inse
i'2n IN y9ur payer, and obIiso
a SUBSCRIBER
IN 'omIamGce gi he VIII ofc4. cenespop-