Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-06-13
WAsn1NGroN. january 3, 1928.

=
Dear Sir {: Your letter of this date, requesting TO
be informed Of the substance of conversation
which passed betwixt the Hon. Mr.. Scott of Mis-
souri,, and myself, relative TO the last Presidential,
election, Is just received.
The conversation alluded to, took place on the
evening Of the 22d of February, 1925, betwixt the
times OF the election and the accession OF the pre-
sent Chief Magistrate. Before the election ii had
been currently reported that Mr. Clay was to re-
ceve the office OF Secretary of State, provided Mr.
Adams should be elected and that, in consideration
OF this arrangement the friends of Mr.. Clay had
determined to give MIR. Adams their support. This
report had no TO disbelieve, especially as
the Hon. Francis Johnson of Kentucky, q warm
friend of MIR. Clay, had told me, short time ante
cedent to the rumor that he had determined to give
blank vote, as he could not give his suffrage 10
either OF the candidates which would be returned;
but Immediately on The rumor that such was to be
the result OF Mr.. Adams election, found him.
Mr. +. Johnson, enlisted among his suprcrtcrs.-
Though Mr.. Clay repealed with Indignation the in
situation that he had been accessory 20 such IN ar
rangement, yet did not then doubt nor did sup
pose it was Denied that his friends were niuenc-
ed by it, Il. under this impression that en-
tered into The conversation with Mr. Scott. 1t oc-
Cured as common topic, and not a subject
ought, or having any special design, with either OF
Us. L asked him il his vote would be popular in
Missouri: He answered, that nineteen-twcn,i-
eths OF his constituents would be opposed 10 it,
then inquired what would be said OF him when he
| returned home? He replied that his vote would
make great noise for time: but that their cleo
ton over, and they could not touch him under
two years and III that time the excitement would
probably subside. He added that it was ascertain
ed if Mr.. Adams should not be elected the first
ballot, he could not be elected afterwards that
ne had not voted for him, Mr.. Cook of Illinois,
! would not have voted ior him, and that without
both o.! their votes, he would not have been elect
ed then remarked, that the election had de-
pended upon him, l supposed, il case OF his own
failure at the next election, he would be otherwise
| provided Tor. To this he answered, that he would
accept OF no appointment whatever under the
administration of Mr. Adams, lest il should be re-
garded as the reward his vote. 1 asked him how
he could then expect Mr.. Clay TO accept the APP
pontment OF Secretary OF State, as il was rumorcd
that II was 10 be rendered 10 him, in OF Mr..
Adams election, and supposed it would be expect
ed that Mr.. Clay would accept it. He remarked,
! that Mr. Clay did not act for himself, but for the
! West. That Ir Clay was the man Of tie West
| 90 We" said he, (alluding, as supposed, to the
! western members who voted for Mr.. Adam y
g act for the West, and Mr. Clay is our man. He
must not consider himself as Mr.. Clay, but as the
lest, and in that character it will be his duty to
| accept"
! This was ten days before the Inauguration oil
/ Mr. Adams. had no, heard that the office was
| then already rendered TO Mr.. Clay nor do 1 know
whether 1t was; but from the report which had
been circulated before the election, connected with
| the simultaneous movement Of some of Mr.. Clay
friends, assumed the conclusion as matter OF
course, that he to receive the appointment; ana
the whole of Mr.. Scott's conversation appeared To
me to admit the fact, on the principle OF my as
sumption. Whether such was his design, know
not; but such was the impression which it could moi
4 fail to make on my mind.
have the honor TO be, very respectfully, Sir.
| your obedient servant,
f, o. r. BROWN.
| Hon. g. H EAToS