Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1828-01-10
AN ADDRESS OF HENRY CLAY,

AxDnEw JAcKsos. touching the last Presi |
dentist Election.
GJHsmo. It was my intention to have
published the testimony now laid before |
Che public at an early period, but una
vsidabls delay. in the collection of il,
has retarded the execution of that in.
tention. The letter of General Lafay-
cite, and other important documents,
have been but lately received; and 9th
ers. which | had just re ason to expect,
have not yet been obtained. H.C.1
ADDRESS, &c.
fzoPs no apology 20 the public 10 necessary
fer presenting TO it these pages. ! am deceiy-
cd if an ample Justification OF the act will not
be found in tbs breast Of every just and honora
bic man. II an officer of Government should
not be too sensitive, neither should he be too
calous, 70 assaults upon his character. when
they relate to the wisdom or expediency Of
measures which he may have originated or
supported, he should silently repose in the
sandor and good sense OF the community, and
patiently await the Developments of time and
experience. But II his integrity be vitally as
sailed; If the basest and most dishonorsble mo-
tives TOR his public conduct be ascribed to him;
he owes it to the country, bis friends, his family
and himself TO vindicate his caiumnisted repu-
sation. Few men are so elevated that the shafts
Of calumny cannot reach them. These may
securely trust 70 the invulnersble position
which they have attained. The United States
have perhaps hitherto produced but one man
who could iook down from his lofty heigh',
without emotion, upon the missiles and the
malice of his enemies; for even he had his enc
n es. Ifthe malignant character OF charges,
che acrimoRy with which they have been asset
I'D and repeated or the perseverance which has
marked their propagation. could ever author
Use an appeal TO the public, think may truly
say, that have this authority. Fer three wears
have been the object OF incesssnt abuse; eve
ny art every species OF msre presentation has
been employed against me. The most innocent
acts--acts of ordinary social inter course, and
Of common civility- offices of hospitality, even
apassing salutation, have been nispepresenled
and perverted to my prejudice, with an
fairness unprecedented Circums, ances have
been assumed which had no existence, and
differences have been drawn from them
which, had they been real they would moi have
warranted Besides, my enemies themselves
have appealed TO the public, exhibited tier
charges, and summoned their witnesses TO its
Bar. Ready now, and ANXIOUS as ] am, and
always have been, TO submit any act of my
public life to full examinstioH before any i'm.
partial and respectable tribunal whatever, sure
1y may expect, at least, that shall be patient.
" heard by that which my accusers have them.
selves selected ] assure them that / will pre-
sent no plea to the jurisdiction.
But DESTROYS as I naturally am to renel the
oa'umnes which have been directed against me,
the public would have been spared the trouble
Of perusng this address If Gen Jackson had
not. in the course Of the last spring aud sum
Der, given to them the open sanction of his
name. In his latter to Mr.. Beverly of the 9th
rf Last he frpit hot IN, nfa
privity to the proposition which he Describes
rs borne by Nr. Buchanan, hemay have done
me injustice; and in his address 20 the public
Of the 9Th Of July last, giving up the name Of
this gentleman, as his only with SO, he repeats
that he possibly may have done me injustice in
assuming my authority for that proposition. He
even deigns to honor me with a declaration of
the pleasure which he will experience, il
should be able TO acqut myself! MIR. Buchan
a. has been heard by the public; and | feel
justified in asserting that the first impression of
abe whole nation was as it IS yet that of every
intelligent mind unbiased by party pr JUDGE.
that his testimony fully exoHerased me, and
demonsti ated that Gen. Jackson, to say no
more, had greatly misc0nceived the purport
of the interview between them. And further;
that 80 fac as any thing improper was disclosed
by M. b touching the la'e presidential cleo
tion, it affected Gen. Jackson and his friends
exclusively Tie having manifestIp injured me,
speculation was busy, when Mr.. Buchanan's
statement appeared, as to the course which the
Geneia' would pursue, after his graultous ex.
preston OF sympathy with me. There were
mot wanting many persons who believed tia, his
magnanmity would immediately promp, him
publicly TO retrsct his charge, and 10 repair
the wrong he had done ne. did no, partici.
pate in that just expectation and therefore felt
no disappointment that it was net realized -
Whatever other merits he may possess, I have
not found amopg them, in the course OF my
relations, hat of forbesrlng to indulge vndictive
passions. His silent contemplation of, if not
his positive acquiescence in. the most extraoF'
dn@ry Interpretation of Mr., Buchspan's state
ment, that ever was given tohumA an language,
has not surprised me If ithad been possible
for him to render me an act of spnp aneous
justice, by frank and manly avowsl of his
.errDr.the testimony now submitted TO the public
might have been unnecessary.
Although feel fully persuaded that the com.
munity, under any particular circumstances,
will see, without dissatisfaction. if not with
cordial appreciation, this further fort TO res.
cue my character from unmeyi,ed imSutations,
j should nevertheless have remained silent, and
cheefuily abidSd it's decision on the dIsclo
sures heretofore made, if | had no additional
fscls to otter TO its consideration But a body
OF high'y important evidence has been collect
Ell, establishing some material circumstances
not before generally known. and confirming
Rh..RH sI Uah. -. II