Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-01-09
MIR. CLAY'S APPEAL.
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my influence COuIu DC OF any avail, IL
should be solely exerted to deprecate, not by
far, the free Republican, and full discussion of
principles and candidates, but those invldious
ISLANDERS which, although they are happily re-
PEELED by the good scn.e, the candor, and in
domestic instances, by the delicacy of the
American people, tend to give abroad incor-
rect and d'sparaging impressions. Yet, that
line of cOnduci from which l must not d~eviate,
except in imminent cases now out of the ques-
ton, does not imply u forgetlulness of facts,
nor u refusal to state them occasionally. My
remembrance concurs with your own OH this
point, that in the latter end of December,
either before or after my visit TO Annapolis,
you being out Of the Presidential cardida,urc,
and after having expressed my aforementioned
motives Of forbearance, l, by way of a conf
dental exception, allowed myself to put a SIM
Pile unqualified question respecting your cleo
tioneering guess, and your intended vois.-
Your answer was, that in your opinion, the
actual state oil health Of Mr.. Crawford had
limited the contest to a choice between Mr.
Adams and General Jackson, that a claim
founded Oh military achievements did not meet
your preference, and that you had concluded
10 vote for Mr.. Adams. Such has been, il
not the literal wording, at least tho precise
sense of a conversation which it would have
been Inconsistent for me TO carry ialtfrH and
not to keep a secret, while a recollection OF
it, to assist your memory I should not now
deny, not only to you as mi friend, but to any
man in a similar situation"
General Lafayette was not able to state,
with absolute precision, the date of the con-
versation between ns, nor can | undertake to
specify the day, although | retain a perfect
r~ecolle ciion of the conversation. 1t was, he
says, g in the latter end Of December, either
before or after my visit to Annapolis, you be-
ing out of tho Presidential candidature." He
lett Washington on the 10th, for Annapolis,
and returned on the 2Ist. (See National In
telligencer.] If the conversation took place
before that excursion, it must have been on, OF
prior to the 10th Of December. But he saws
that | was out Of the Presidential Candida
ture." Whether | should be returned TO the
House or not. was not. ascertained until the
vote Of Louisiana was known. Rumors had
reached this city of the issue of it, previous TO
the goth Of the month; but the frs, certain in
tal!igence of 1t was brought here by Mr.. Senator
Bouligny, on tho goth, according to his recol-
lection. On General L.afayette's return from
Annapolis, the probability Is, that the subject
Of the Presidential election was a common
topic of conversation, as information had then
Just reached the city from Louisiana. l call
ed to sec him Immediately after his return and
as it had been very confidently expected that
| would receive the vote of Louisiana it is
quite likely that it was on that occasion that
he held the conversation with me. This would
fix the day to have been prior to Christmas -
Bat whatever was the actual day, there can
be no doubt that it was before the memorable
interview between Geaeral Jackson and MIR.
Buchanan.
Here, then, is an unbroken chain of testi-
mony, commencing elrly in October, 1924,
and extending to nearly the end of the year,
establishing, beyond all controversy, my fixed
and unwavering decision not to vote for Gen
Jackson. This purpose is deliberately mani
tested at different periods, in different places,
and to distinguished individuals who would
have been the last in society that l should have
thought of deceiving. This testimony stand,
unopposed, and, with truth, cannot be oppos
ed by a solitary individual. There does not
exist a human being, and if the dead could be
recalled, one could not be summoned from
the grave, who could truly testify that l evei
expressed or ever minated the remotest in.
tention to vote for Gen. Jackson, in any coz
tingency whatever. AS to him, my mind was
never for a moment in doubt or difficulty. And
whatever personal prcdllection | might have
entertained for Mr.. Crawford, Of whose state
Of health there we're such opposite representa-.
lions in the public prints, when ! saw him my
self, there was no alternative i'll my judgment
but that which l embraced. have reason 10
believe that Gen Jackson md his friends cher
ished no expectation that | would vote for him.
Gen. Call, the then delegate from Florida, was
his ardent and intimate friend, and had been
his Aid. They travelled together on their Jour-
ney to Washington City in the fall Of 1924.
L n N ~ lsAnr -. 49,
which is contained in The 9th page of the
2S,h vol. of Niles Register, he states that
Con Call was with hio, on that journey, and
he refers to him as corroborating his own men,
DRY relative to a Transaction 1T Washington,
Pennsylvania II is prcsumable that the
cleo ion with its prospects and hopes must have
frequently formed a subject of conversation OF
the journey. Ii can scarcely BIO doubted that
Gen. Call was well acquainted with Gen Jack
sons views and expectations. At a tavern ut
Rockville, in Maryland, about fifteen niles
from this city, during that same journey, Gen
eral Call aud several other gentlemen engaged
IN conversation about the presidential election.
John Braddock, Esq. "a gentleman not know u
to me, but who, | understand, u a merchan,
of great responsibility was present: and he
states that "when the vote which Mr. Claw
would probably give was spoken Of, Gen. Call
declared that the friends Of Gen. Jackson did
not expect Mr.. Clay to vote for him, and if he
did so, 1t would be an act Of duplicity on his
part" zee Appendix c
In General Jack-on's address TO the public, Ct
the 18th vt July last, touching his previous
statements to Mr.. Beverly, aud ommunlca,in
the name Of Mr.. Buchanan. as the gentlemen
who bore The imaginary overture, he says, e the
origin-the beginning Of this matter wa. at my
own house and freside; where surely a freeman
may be permitted TO speak 90 public topics,
without having a'cribed to him inp-orer de.
signs" From this statement the fair i .fere re
u, that General Jackson intends to aver that he
hal never before spoken of his charge again.t