Delaware journal., 1828-01-04
AN ADDRESS
EENRY CLAY
TO THE PUBLIC:
Containing certain testimonials in refutaion of the
Charges against him, made
"A unor r A
By GEN. ANDREW JACKSON,

G
Mem 1t was my intention to have published the
testimony now laid before the public, at an earlier
period but unavoidable delay in the collection Of
it, has retarded the execution Of the intention. The
letter of General Lafayette, and other important
documents, have been but lately received; and
others which had Just reason to expect, have not
yet been obtained. II. g.
ADDRESS, &c.
hope apology tn the public is necessary for
presenting to it these pages. l am deceived If an
ample justification of the act will not be found in
the breast of every just and honourable If an
officer Of Government should not be too sensitive,
neither should he be too caous to assaults upon his
character. When they relate to the wisdom or ex-
| pediency of measures which he may have originat-
ed or supported he should silently repose in the can
dor and good sense OF the community, and patient
ly await the Developments of time and experience.
But if his integrityb vitality assailed if the basest
and most dishonorable motives for his public con-
duct be ascribed to him he owes it to the country,
his friends his family and himself, to vlndcate his
illuminated reputation. Few men are so elevated
that the shafts of caunny cannot reach them These
may securely trust to the invulnerable position
which they have attained. The United States have
perhaps hitherto produced but one man who could
look down from his lofty height, without emotion,
upon the missiles and the malice of his enemies !:
for even he had his enemies. Ii the malignant
character of charges, the acrimony with which they
have been asserted and repeated, or the persever-
ance which has marked their propagation. could ever
authorize an appeal to the public think may
truly say, that have this authority. For three years
II have been the object of incessant abuse every
art, every species OF misrepresentation has been EN-
pluyed agnst me- The most innocent acts-acts
of ordinary social intercourse, and of common civil
Ity-otfces OF hospitality, even passing salutatlon
have been misrepresented and perverted to my
prejudice. with an unfairness Unprecedented. Cir
cumstances have been assumed which had no eXl
tence, and differences have been drawn from then
which, had they been real, they would not have war
ranted. Besides. my enemies themselves have ap
pealed to the public, exhibited their charges, ant
lsummoned their witnesses at Its Bar. Ready nov
and anxious as am, and always have been, to sub
nit any act of my public life to a full examination
before any impartial and respectable tribunal what
ever, surely may expect at least, that l shall b
patiently heard by that which my accusers, hav
themselves selected. | assure them will present II
plea to the jurisdiction.
But desrous as naturally am to repe the caun
nies which have been directed against me, the pu
lie would have been spared the trouble of perusir
this address. if Gen. Jackson had not, in the cour
of the last Spring and Summer, given to them Il
open sanction of his name. In his letter to NJ
Beverly of the 9th of June last, be admits that,
nerring my privity to the proposition which he
scribes as borne by Mr.. Buchanan, he may ha
done me injustice and, in his address to the pu
this gentleman, his only witness, he repeats til
he possibly may have done me injustice in assumi
my authority for that proposition. He even desie
tn honor me with declaration of the pleasu
which he will experience, if I should be aple to
quit mysefP Mr.. Buchanan has been heard BY
public and, feel justified in asserting that the Fl
impression of the whole nation as it is yet Il
of every intelligent mind unbiased by party p
ljudice, that his testimony fully exonerated me, a
demonstrated that Gen. Jackson, to say no mo
had greatly msconceived the purpose of the int
view between them And further; that so far
any thing improper was disclosed by M. B. tou
ing the late Presidential election, it affected q
eral Jackson and his friends exclusively. He b
ing manifestly injured me, speculation was bl
when Mr. Buchannan's statement appeared, as
the course which the General would pursue, after
gratutous expression of sympathy with me. Th
were not wanting many persons, who believed t
his magnanimity would Immediately prompt
publicly to retract his charge, and to repair the wrt
which he had done me. did not participate in t
just expectation, and therefore felt no dsappo
nent that it was not realized. Whatever OF
merits he may possess, have not found amt
them, in the course of my relations with him. t
of forbearing to indulge vindctive passions
silent contemplation of, if not his positive acqu
cence in, the most extraordinary Interpretation
Mr.. Buchanan's statement, that ever was given
human language, has not surprised me. If it
been possible for him to render me an act of sp
taneous justice, by a frank and manly avowal Of
error, the testimony now sn united to the pu
might have been unnecessary.
Although feel fully persuaded that the conn
nifty. under my peculiar circumstances, will
without dissatisfaction, if not with cordial apprt
ton. this further effect to rescue my character {
unmerted mputations, | should nevertheless h
remained cheerfully silent, and abded its decs