Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-01-02

a., far which both he and his friend are almost
cnminally culpabe. The affair should have ter
minated after the first fire, and the writer makes
Ans observation without reference TO either par
ty."-Eci!or Co,uG1af,
From the Washington Correspondent o. ne ".
7. Commercial.
In my last letter, referred TO some verbal re-
ports Of speech, lately delivered by Mr.. Ran
,o,nh TO his former constituents. particularly To
tbe expressions imputed to him in regard to MIR.
Webster, which, IRON the extensive circulation
and credit they have gained, require some notice.
Alicr giving, as one reason for the re election OF
Jackson. his personal hatred Of Clay. ne CONT
pued:-.. But, Henry Clay is a brave mani
b,ye tested him-though his friend, Daniel w cd
.,er. is poltroon. and have the evidence OF 1t
N nv nncket.o The Transaction TO which this
,orrnpt and crazy orator aIludes. was SO moru-
,yinp to his vanity, from lis origin to It's end,
hat !, has no doubt left in his bosom deadly
STING; but he would never have haZarded such
remarks in relation to it, had he not, since he
.,ld him,elf TO the Administration, thrown aside
All reoar,l to truth or decency. The facts, as
,oa NAV recullecr. we're these: Mr.. Randolph was
a member Of the committee appointed to in'eSti-
cate the charges against Secretary Crawford. pre-
ferred by Ninian Edwards, aud had attended one
AR Two of the early sittingS of the committee. -
BsIore the close Of the session, he embarked at
New York for Europe, aud, from on board the
p,cket he address d letter to his constituents,
Wherein he claimed for himself the credit OF hav-
ing prevailed upon the committee, IN opposition
IN their wishes and intentions, tn afford TO MIR.
Crawford an opportunity to reply to the accu>a-
tons of Mr. Edwards. Upon the publication OF
the letter in Washington, the several members OF
the committee rose, in their places, and indis-
nantly repealed the caIumnious aSperslon. Mr..
Webster. being one Of the committee, was point
ed, and explicit IN his DENIAL of the truth OF the
allegation. Moreover, fhe Journal Of the proceed
ing, Of the committee was produced, from which
the very reverse of Randolph's statements was
shown 10 be the fact During the following ses-
son of Congress, that of IS24-'25, Mr.. Ran
dulph having taken his seat, there was some fur
Their conversation on the subject. which ended,
towards the close Of the session, IN demand by
Mr. Randolph of honorable satisfaction from Mr..
Webster. Mr.. Benton bore the challenge. The
subsequent day. Mr.. Benton waited upon Mr..
Webster. and Mr.. Webster, surprising that he
had called for his reply, immediately put 1t into
his hand. Mr.. Benton returned 1t, saying that
he had come with insruc tiUns from Mr.. Randolph
tou,hdraw the challenge and it was according
" Withdrawn. The reply of Mr.. Webster was
never, to my knowledge, seen BY any one. There
was a current report. AT the time. that 1t was We
re- harsh: t. the effect that he would not fight con-
ricisi lar. Bat this report was not Countenanc-
ed b, Mr.. Webster. Mr.. Webster's remarks,
in the House Of Representatives. were never, in
any ~ay explained. modified, or retracted. Be-
fore the House OF Representatives, he arraigned
Randolph for h; vIns grossly mIsrepresented the
acts and views OF the Crawford Commttee-there
he convicted him, and there he has never gain
said what he then said. Thus stands the lnat
ser to this day.