Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-11-03

81
Mr. John Nj. Bolts, late Member of Congress, from
this District in n letter which he has published IN the
Richmond Wing, asks 'the publication OF Mr. Clay $
letter TO Mr. Giddngs lie says, have ''no right
to make such call, but Mr.. Ciays friends have
he claims the privilege of speaking to the matter and
of differing with the Richmcnd Wing, about the pro-
priely of Mr. Cays "ireating the subject with con-
tempt ard silence" He claims the right 10 speak, and
indeed says he is "constraned by sense Of duty which
to myself having always taken an active part Tor
the last l9 years in presenting Mr. Clays promi
nentiy before the public How far he has heen the
guardian of Mr. Cay's rcpulation-flow far his uni
form protection for eighteen years, and his strenuous
endeavors to bring him prominently before the pubic,
entities him to dissent from the Wing, we leave 10
others 10 decide 1t is very modest claim he urges,
indeed-though if his efforts to promote hlr Clay have
bee fortunate than his attempts to "sad the
Captain, his claim is less authoritative than he suppo
But be that it may still he differs with the II
Wing, who says that 1t has "not the slightest suspl-
cion, that Mr. Clay will condescend 10 notice either the
fulmnator OF the story (the Loran Republican, "or
It's endorser, (meanng, we presume, the EnquIrer,)
hut that "he will treat both with the contempt they
merit" MIR. Bolts asks, on the contrary, for The pub
caton Of the original letter, states that he differs with
the Editor of the GIVING, and says:
"'Fhat Mr.. Clay may have written letter IN which
he expresses himself favorable to the ultimate eman
cipatron of slavery, through the ns,rumentay of the
MASTER and the action of the States in which slavery
exists, is probable enough, for these are known to
have been his sentiments from early life; but that he
ever wrote such letter has been ascribed TO him IN
this publication, about probable that The sun
will rise tomorrow in the West and set in the East;
do believe that any such letter was read by Mr..
Giddngs But if it be true, that MIR. Clay did write
it, then let us know iha, he has changed his opinions
since his speech TO Mr. Mendenhall IN lndana-that
he does embrace the doctrines of Abolition that he
feels lively interest in all their movements and ex
presses firm adherence to Their principles It, on the
other hand no snch letter written, but such an
one read by Mr.. Giddngs then let IT be fixed on
him that he has fabricated H. for the accomplishment OF
his personal views and the promotion OF the cause
of Abolition; but if, will prove TO be the
act no such letter written by Mr. Clay or read by
| Mr. Gddings, then let the Lpran Republican, stand
responsible for the basest !bel that has yet found lis
way into the public prints against that uslrious citl-
GEN. and let the party to which II bel ngs, know here
after what faith and crt;il, be attached 10 any
statements they may fad in the columns OF the Loran
Republican,, its endpr<-', the Richmond Enquirer,
and all such kindred prints against the purest ana
most viruous OF our public Municipalities which
have rarely failed 10 their and condem-
nation"
We make every allowance for the statements OF THIS
attucht of Mr.. Clay, because he himself relies on the
statements Of his own sub.attachc of the Richmond
Wing. But its assertions are worthy only oil ICON
tempt" We have not endorsed the "Loraln Repub
lcan" We "d-manded in the name OF truth, the
publication of the alleged letter bUi@e expressly ad-
ded, ia, "Giddings may have m'srep'esened Henry
Clay INT he may have lied about the matter and
we did not endorse the statement at all. Oar language
was rather calculated 10 acqult Mr. Clay we only
asked in the of truth, what hf. Bolts MN
self thinks of consequence enough to ask, as me
friend of Mr. Clay-and f it should turn on that Mr.
Clays letter has been grossly misfspresen'ed, we d"
not very we'll see the correctness Of Mr.. Bolts logic,
which would strip the Richmond Enquirer OF any "fa'th
or credit being attached 10 any statements which
may hereafter appear its columns. We pledge our
selves to re.pubsh Mr.. Clays letter. when /! shall
come forth; but, in the mean time, we ask tor zine
| handkerchef!- the handkerchief.!"