Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1828-05-23
From the Kentucky Reporter.

From the Kentucky Reporter
Ertract of d letter from, General .Netcalfe to his
friend IN this place, dated House Of Representa-
t,ues, m Congress, 18th April, 1928.
When |, as Representative Of the second Con-
sressional District of Kentucky, gave my vote for
President Of the United States, | acted from the
highes, sense OF public duty: copidentiay believing
that my immediate constituents would approve and
ratify the act 1t was for them that acted to
them that was accountable and not to any one
of the disappointed asplrants nor to their partlsans
In the true spirit of our Constitution, have since
rendered an account of my Stewardship to my con-
stitueas and have had the felicity to receive
from the seal Of their most decided appreciation
fought the battle on the only appropriate ground
and won it fairly. A brave and generous antagonist
will hardly challenge me to renew the engagement
beyond the limits of my District and therefore
am contented, so far it relates to the vndlcaton
Of my vote for President.
But the testimony of Major John T. Johnson be-
for the Committee Of the Senate, is worthy my no.
,ice /; not only because it has furnished aiment sui
ted 10 the palate of the caumniator and been made
the subject documentary by so many prints OF that
character; but because Major johnson is distinguish
ed for his intelligence, problty and honor. His tes-
timony, however, is susceptible of an explanation,
when will be satisfactory to every honest man in
the community and to no one more so, as am
fully persuaded, than to the Major himself.
fhen hear me--for | had no opportunity OF being
heard by myself or council, before the Senate's
Commtee--here me patienty-for am citizen
of me Republic and such as it is, have a char
ncter of ma o70n to sustain. Shield me from this
fragrant outrage upon the citizens, or you, in your
turn may become the victim Of similar pratlcal sep
Grafton.
To enable you to discern the proper application
Of language imputed to me by Major Johnson, will
br,t -, nt f.,rtc .I.t bpu
occurred, with but few remarks of my own TO elu-
cldate them, and leave you to your own reflections
---cnreang you, for the honor of race. to for
get that we have "a contemporary who was capable OF
casting about in search OF, and eliciting this little
SCRAP oil testimony, for the purpose of lniiictng
wound upon an absent individual who, unappriz-
ed OF the proceeding had no opportunity afforded
him TO parry the medltdted law.
Just before the election took place in the House
If Representatives, when it was distinctly known
that majority Of the Kentucky Delegation had de-
.ermned to give the vote of that State to Mr.. Ad-
ans, Colonel r. NJ. Johnson and myself, being on
terms Of intimate and friendly intercourse, had a
conversation, in substance as follows:
After some introductory remarks by the Colonel
he said to me, " If Mr.. Adams is elected. think il
probable that he will offer Mr. Clay place in
-. his Cabinet in which event it is my opinion that
= he ought to accept" These remarks elected from
"me the following reply: 6 do not know whether
-. in the event of his success, Mr.. Adams will offer
= or Mr. Clay accept ; but, if it does so turn out
we shall have "A good Administrations and ouI
Western interests will be daily regarded" The
Colonel Yielded his assent, expressed his concur
4 renee, in this opinion. Now mark what follows
The election being over and Mr. Adams elected, he
offered to Mr. Clay his Secretary of State just as
Cslouel Johnson, doubtless upon the most natura
and reasonable grounds had anticipated. But Mr.
CLAW hestated He consulted his friends .--Colone
.'ohnson Major Johnson and myself, united with 9th
ers in advising him to accept; and he consented tt
do so.
Soon after this, accidentally met the two broth
ers near the War Office and, after the usual morn
inss salutaton, and a few preliminary remark
about letter which had been written before, ant
received by me, subsequently TO the time ofthe cleo
ton, in which if was stated by the writer, "a frien
to General Jackson, that he thought it would be ap
to PROSTATE any member OF the Kentucky delega
ton who might vote against Jackson, the Colone
said to me, /" fear it sill sppear an up hill bnanes
TO sustain the administration IN Kentucky" L
which, in the haste of the moment, and as ner
passing remark, replied, sc Perhaps ne haze don
too much for our '.'iend'
Now, can ingenious casuistry attempt, or malis
nity itself pretend, in the broad day light of homes
intelligence, to apply my remarks to the bargain an
sale story Is it not evident that alluded to tn
fact of the two brothers and myself having persuat
ed Mr.. Clay to become member of an administrs
tion which the Colonel thought it would be an ''uI
| hil'' business to sustain in Kentucky 10 the fac
of our having been in part instrumental in Mr. Clay
acceptance Of an office, which might possibly rende
him unpopular, and blast his future prospects
What could be more natural in such case, tina
my reply to the Colonel's previous remarks PEI
haps zoe have done TOO much for our friend"
Besides. as had previously told the Colonel thu
did not know whether Mr.. Adams would offer,
Mr.. Clay accept how could |. whether my previou
declarations had been or not. have intended I
contradict them, by intimating to him that ha
been apprzed Of bargain Look at all this calm
ly. Reflect, that held this conversation with tw
btothers, who IkneaU had confidence in Mr. Adam