Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-07-29

4 -hNI'hisuduoi III hentucky, requesting lCr publ
| Sauoh, copies oil my correspondence with Messrs
Blair and Kendall, was received shortly before
made late visit 10 Philadelphia. My absence
IRON his city, the press If business incident TO the
close oil the session Of Congress, and the feeble
state Of my health, have combined TO prevent IN
| earlier reply.
| lpreserved no copies Of my letters addressed TO
either Of those gentlemen. Mr. Blair has furnish
ed me with copies of several of those directed TO
him, including that upon which, understand, a
reliance is placed to establish the fact Of my hav-
ing made corrupt agreement, in relation to the
late Presidential election. My correspondence
| with that gentlemen was friendly and familiar and
some times sporiive. II is characterized by a
freedom of language which is occasionally, admis.
sibe in private and friendly intercourse, but which
would not be decorous towards the public Mr..
Blair has himself refused to exhibit the letter in
question, or TO testify concerning its contents, upon
the principle that he will not, Voluntarily consent
to the violation of private correspondence. That
principle must command the respect OF all honora
| BILE men. SO far regard the charge against me,
the publication would b, nefit instead ofiniuring
me. Such is the opinion OF several gentlemen TO
whom l have shewn the correspondence, and
such is my own. But will not avail myself Of
.his advantage, at the sacrifice OF principle, the
preservation o which is necessary guarantee TO
social confidence and intercourse. l could not,
| moreover, publish my own letters TO MIR. Blair
without some OF his shelving the sense in which
lac understood mine. Although he has given re
not to he published; and 1 will not, Oh the den
ance OF prohigate editor, be the first TO set inis-
chevOus example, which the other party 10 the
correspondence has refused 10 establish | must
decline, therefore, authorizing the publication OF
our correspondence. But the Central Committee
lis liberty exhibit the inspection OF any gen
ueinan, OF any party, all such portions OF it
late 10 the late Presidential election, and will do
the same upon ANY @uch application being made
10 me
! = r, III
on different grounds. That gentleman has assu,n-
cd thetriple attitude OF my accuser the witness
establish the accusation, and the Publisher OF il 10
the world, through the paper which he edits. Ii
has not scruped 10 violate private correspondence,
and 10 msrepresent my motives, and the better TO
enable him to accomplish his purpose. (as am
compelled to believe) he states that he has destroy
ed my letters. Ii he has really destroyed them,
regret IL very much, because should have prefer
red their speaking for themselves instead OF their
! contents being perverted by his entuty & preju-
dce.-Should all or any Of them he hereafter found
to have been preserved from the flames, he is at
full liberty to publish them. Not content with mis-
representing me, am informed that he has given,
in the Argus, erroneous and laithiess version oil
the testimony delivered before the Senate of Rem
lucky, in that most extraordinary inquiry which
was instituted before that body at its last session
The obligation TO respect the confidence wich is
implied between man and man, in their private
correspondence, must be reciprocal. One party
| fee to violate ii. Still less can such a one-sided
obligation exist, when OF the parties has not
only violated IL, but mi5represened the purport OF
| the correspondence. Mr. Kendall has therefore
absolvcd me from all duty of Withholding from
| t. public any portion of The correspondence which
has passed between US; if it had ever possessed
! character Oi higher confidence than that which
was actually stamped upon ii. But will not a.
vail myself OF the privilege which his conduct has
thus conferred, further than is necessary 10 vim
,lt.nsa .,ll
| Before proceed to notice the letters from him,
which are now communicated, il is proper that /
should take rapid survey OF the relations which
existed between u.s.
Mr.. Kendall had been educated at Harvard u
niyersity, which is among the most respe table if
II be not more celebrated, OF the institutions dedi
Gated TO education III the United Siates-During
my absence from my country, on its public service :,
he engaged by Mrs Clay as a private tutor to
instruct my children. Upon my return, under
stood that he had been attentive to the discharge of
The duties OF his station, and l ascertaincd that
they had benefited by his instructions during his
residence in my flmily.-Parents know how TO
innate such relation. My personal acquaintance
with him was never great. he having left my house
prior TO my return, and my opportunities OF seeing
him having been chiefly limited TO my occasional
professional visits at Frankfort, where he resided
Sier he became the editor of the Argus, took,
and generally read his paper, which 4 thought ex-
hibed some talent and much diligence. | have
never spoken IN any Dodsung OF TepIOdcnIut spirit
OF inequalities or kindness, received by him I'M
der my roof. IL they ever create any obligation
1t IS cancelled whenever they are trumpctted
forth by those who dispense thcm. He has choz-
en-, himself, puplicly TO advert to this subject,
and leave him in the undisiurbed enjoyment
Of the sophisticdl distinction between instances
Of 10 piiallity rendered by a man, and his wife g,
OH which he dweils with much seli-coinplacen-
| cy.
| The relation which ] have described, created u
strong interest, ON my part, in the personal well
fare Of MIR. Kendall. II was not extiuguished or
abaled by the Tact oil his taking part in the local
| politics Of X Ell lucky, which my judgment did not
approve. have never allowed my private feelings
towards individuals TO be affected by a mere dffe-
renee in opinion political subjects; when the
pinon opposed to ny own is believed TO he honest.
and is maintained with proper attention - truth
and deceDcy. That interest in the prosperity Of Mr.
Kendall was, moreover, Kept alive by frequent ex-
prcssons from him, oid,ssa siaction with hs condi-
ton editor Of a newspaper, and ntimaon- Of
sdesre to change il for eligible pubic
service. ] have no recollection. OF having ever
written 10 him any letter, prior 10 the late Pre.iden
tal election, offering TO aid him in procuring other
public employment. Application 20 me TO- sue al
were, however, f. quent, whilst was a member
/ OF Congress, as they have be ~ siuce; and II il
quite possible that may have written 10 him on
that subject But IL ever did. all differences from
any friendly expressions of mine that was stfbso
quently 10 be appointed To the Department OF State
and that would then provide for him, land such
understand to be the import Of the msinua,ion
contained ~ his testimony before the Senate OF
hehiuckyJ are MS malignant as they are utterly
grouudlsss.
After, and not uni sbou,a month AFTER ! wa-
appointed 70 the Department Of State, believing
that MI. Kendall would make IN use .Ii subordinate
clerk IN that department, offered him dn employ
ine'ii IN That chsrcter. with salary Of $1,000 PEI