Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1840-09-15

have been ignorant OF a fact 50 conspicuous
IN the annals Of onr country, rs that OF the de-
fault OF Edward Livingston, Esq, as attorney
Of the United States ia the district OF New
York, during the administration of mr.. Jeiier-
son, to the amount Of about 100000 dollars.
Ii was in the train of the same thought and
argument, that adduced the appointment Of
mr.. Swartwout 20 the Office of Collector OF the
most important port in the United States, as
one OF most unfortunate and injurious example.
His paricipaiions in the schemes Of Col. Burr
was fact of such universal notor!ety that
supposed and yet suppose, that no man the
least convcrsant with the history olrho coun-
try could be ignoant of il. But il was not upon
General Jackson's knowledge of that fact, ii
was upon the fact itself that dwelt
II is now said that the appointment of mr.
Swartwout was recommended by the citizens
of New York. ! know nothing of these rec
concentrations. Whether they were cause or
eflect--whether they were gotten up TO pro-
duce or to give color and cover to the appoint
ment, previously determined to be made-,hcir
secret history only could disclose The APP
pointment occasoned general surprise among
the friends and foes of the administration at
the time, and the sequel demonstrates how
unwise it was.
These topics of my address TO the convon-
General jackson for comment and animal
version. He was not present on tho occa-
sion. He has made no application TO me for
a correct account of what actually said but
has been contented to rely upon "being inform
ed" by whom, with what motives, and with
what objects, | have no means of conjectur-
ing
Whether his nformer may be some friend
Of MIR. Van Buren,, who, in the present desper-
ate state of his political fortunes, wishes TO
bring the General into the field, and to turn
the tide Of just Indignation on the part Of the
people from the Generals protege, the exhi-
bition of his name only would enable the pub
lie to decide
With regard to the insinuations and gross
epitheis contained in General Jackson's note
alike impotent, malevolont, and derogatory
from the dignity of man who has filled the
highest office in the Universe, respect for the
public and for myself, allows me only TO say
that like other similar missiles, they have fall
en- harmless at my feet, exciting no other sem
saton than that of scorn and contempt.
ii. CLAY
Nashville, August 90, 1910.
To The Editor Of the Nashville Union:
Sir,-I have just read in the Banner of this
day an article addressed by Henry Clay, of
Kentucky, to the public; the object of which
is evidently to exculpate himselfof the calum-
NOUS assault he made upon my character and
that of Edward Livingston, deceased, in his
speech to the multitude on Monday last.
In the Nashville Wing of last Tuesday 5
date the paper selected for the publication OF
mr.. Clay's speech on that occasion, he is re-
ported to have used the following language
ale referred to the appointment Of Edward
| tvi,n az toto OF
when he was a defaulter, but said he presumed
the President did not reflect sufficiently upon
the tendency such an appointment would
have" On the same day several gentlemen
of the Federal Wing Party informed me that
mr.. Clay had charged me with appointing de-
faulters to office: and since my arrival al
Nashville He s,efs ea rafnT mr. Gays speech on
the occasion alluded TO, and that he did de-
clare that had appointed mr.. Livingston
Secretary OF State when he was a defaulter.
With this evidence before me | cannot en-
terrain doubt that the information on which
| acted when | addressed you on Tuesday is
correct, nor is it at all impaired by the incul-
patton which mr.. Clay has offered to the pub
lie. knowing the man as | do, knew that
ne would resort to some such arlifice to cover
MS retreat from the position into which he had
been thrown by his vain desire to qualify
those who had followed him in the raccoon
and hard cider pageantry of the day Con-
victed OF making an assertion which the rec
ords OF the senate and other familiar history
proved TO be false, he now attempts TO qualify
1t by the following language "In arguing
from cause to effect | contended that the an.
pointment of mr.. Livingston was a pernicious
precedent-that it was virtual proclamation
to all who were or might be defaulters. that
their infdelity in public trust constituted
no insuperable barrier to promotion to one
OF the highest offices in the government. did
not attribute to Gen. Jackson knowledge of
the default. i went even so far as to saw
that he might not have reflected upon the con-
sequences OF the appointment of an individual
SO situated. l must now say that until Gen.
jackson otherwise asserts, | am constrained
to believe that he could-not have been ignorant
OF fact so conspicuous in the annals of our
country as that of the default of Edward J,iv-
ingston, Esq, Attorney of the United States
In the District of New York, during the adj
ministration of mr.. Jefferson, to the amount
100000" And all this moral sin is now
made to result, not from the fact that mr.. Liy
ingston was defaulter when he was appoint
ed 10 the office of Secretary of State, but that
he had been guilty some thirty years before.
1t would be easy TO show from the life of mr.
Livingston that the default here alluded to
was one which did not prejudice his moral
character, or lessen the high standing which
ne enjoyed at the time, and has since inyaria-
bly, sustained wherever he has been known
but 1t is not my purpose here TO yindicate tho
memory oftliat eminent patriot and statesman
Every one can see that, explained as mr.. Clay
now places his reference TO tina, appointment.
lie fails TO conceal his real design al leaving
an impression on the public mind unfavorable
to my character, and by resort to facts
which when examined are insufficient or i'm.
aginary.
lie cannot say, in an article which bears
his signature, that ever appointed default
er or retained one in office knn,rin1r hin Il -