Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-02-05

Inn
| OF Mr. FooTs resolution respecting the SURVEYS OF
THE PUBLIC LANDS.
Mr. BENTON was entitled to the floor; but
| Mr. HAYNB rose, and said, before the Senate,
OF Missouri proceeded further in the debate he CON.
sidered his duty to notice occurrence which had
token place here, when this subject was last under
| consideration. An honorable Senator from Della.
ware, Mr. CLAYTON j rose in his place. and taking
/ up volume OF Jcfferson's Memoirs, which had in
troducod into this Chamber, read passage impica
ting the late Mr.. Bayard in attempt bring over
Gen Samuel Smith, of Maryland, TO the support of
Col Burr, IN the celebrated political of 1901
The gentleman then appealed to the Senators from
Maryland and Louisiana, {Mr. SMITH and Mr.. LII
vlNGsroN to say whether they had any recollection
OF the occurrence to which Mr. Jefferson alludes,
aud those gentlemen having replied in the negative,
the Senator from Delaware then stated, that he now
considered the vndicaton of MIR. Biyard to be COM
plete and went on to make some remarks which I
did not distinctly hear, but which have been suppo-
sed, contrary must presume, to that gentleman s
intention, to cast imputaton ON The reputation, and
even on the veracity Of Mr.. Jefferson. 1 End too,
sir, that an impression has gone abroad, that had
myself referred to, and relied the very passage in
which hr. Beyard is supposed 10 be implicated IL
is my present object, Mr. President TO correct these
errors; dd to prevent any possible misconstruc;ion
other as TO my own course. that of ihe gentleman
from Delaware. I referred to The Memoirs of Mr.
Jefferson, for the purpose of uvailng u1vse,f of his
political principles, and declared opinions in relation
to the Tariff, and Internal Improvements, and the
great question Of Stale Rights. then in controversy
between the Senator from Massachusetts IMr
WEBsTERl and myself. relied on the authority of
Mr. Jefferson, but for single fact incidentally in
troduced into the debate, which was.-,hal Mr.
Adams had informed him of certain designs on The
part of the New England F.dsrasts, for dlssou-
ton OF the Union, during the embargo. That such
communication was actually made TO Mr. Jefibr-
SON. has been publicly acknowledged by Mr.. a dams
himself Bor the memory OF Mr. Eayard, have
always entertained too much respect, to have per
mtted me to mention his name otherwise than with
| ri 70
that gentleman, from his high character end public
servlces,-and was taught revere his memory
by my friend from Delaware, Mr.. McLane, who sat
so long by my side in this chamber and who is now
doing honor to himself and his country in one of our
highest diplomatic trusts abroad But, SIR without
proposing to enter into the examination of the ques
ton, Will merely remark, that think the memo
randum made by Mr. Jefferson, 18th February, 1901
is susceptible of easy explanation without the i'm
peachment of any of the parties. For n,y own part
l can have no doubt, when Mr.. Jefferson made the
entry IN his note book on the very day which he
transaction took place. that ne actually received the
impression which he states from the conversation of
one at least of the gentlemen named; and yet, sir,
What can be more natural than to suppose, that a
loose and careless conversation reaching Mr. Jefer-
son through circuitous channels, may have been en-
tirely misunderstood. A familiar, pleasant conver-
sation, between Mr.. Bayard and his friend General
Smith, on the political prospects of the latter gen
teman then az bright those of any man in the
country repeated by him carelessly, probably in
jest, may have fo~ short time made an impression
on the minds of Mr.. Livingston and Wilson Cary
Nicholas, which these gentlemen, one of them
assurediy conveyed to Mr. Jefferson. Sir, very
few days probably cleared the mystery and put all
matters right and therefore it Immediately forgot
ten by the parties concerned Phs explanation is to
my mind entirely satisfactory do not make these
remarks because suppose any vinaication of the
reputation of Mr.. Jefferson to be necessary. Phat
rests on foundation TINT cannot be shaken. The
time was, sir, when large portion of the people
we're taught to believe that MIR. Jefferson was dos
frtn of rsrln IL.
gious-while, by his polt cal friends, no man was
ever SO much admired, respected, and beloved; he
was feared and hated slandered and revilad by his
enemies In one respect, however, he certain
y the most fortunate of men. OF having out Urea
the gratitude and affection of his friends he iiued
doom The hostility of his enemies. Time and oppor-
tunty convinced all parties, that, in that great and
good man were found, in happy combination, all
those extraordinary endowments, and virtues
which made him AN HONOR TO THE WHICH he
LIVED Sir he descended to the tomb, not only ':fui
of years and full of honors but occupying at The
moment wien he closed his mortal career, TBR VERY
FIRST PLACE TIE HEARTS MILLIONS OF FREE
MEN.
| Mr.. CLAYTON said that Ire had elready announ
ced his intention in regard TO this matter to have
been entirely excuipatory-bnt he was willing tc
avail himself Of another opportunity of making the
same declaration to prevent any misrepresentation
| On Thursday, while this resolution was under con
! sderation, and before the Senator from Missouri
Mr.. Bentonl had commenced his reply to the Sena
a question TO The gentleman from Maryland and Lou
isiana, for the purpose fcorecting i'll vol
une cited IN the debale, which, Of the OK
traordiDary imputstjon it cast upon he memory g
one now in his grave, who held distinguished ran
among he statesmen of this country, had become tn
subject of general conversation here, and to wh:c
his attention had been repeatedly called by otbe
gentlemen. He at that time the gentlemen
from Marylsnd and Louisiana their seats, and as
favorable an opportunity thea offered of removing
the effects OF error which without their evidence
could never be satisfactorily corrected, he chose
avail HIMSELF of it My object, said Mr.. c., wa
fully obfained.0 Thc Senator from South Carolina
GMr. II did not understand as saying augl
against M. Jeherson-but the Senator from Nilsson
ri chose to work himself UP into most patriotic ex
element denouncDg the proceeding attack upo
Mr.. Jefferson. 1t Is true, he stated, that did
consult him in regard to the proceeding. ] chose
fellow my course--I would pursue the sam
course again. and it rs now to matter of no yes
great importance whether be approves it or not.
to the charge Of an attack upon Mr.. Jefferson,
the Senator sat OF some distance from me, he ma