Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-06-07
POLITICAL.

Ctar9C ~ Ijargdih OthrceH -ICSSTs. ADAMS amt
CtaA IN tic PreNdcnt'oi Election Of lS2i-25
House of Representatives Tuesday, April so.
| 1911 The Bill 10 regulate the Tariii Of Duties
on Imports, being under consideration in Com
mittcc of the Whole
Mr. BOYD obtained the floor and said Nv
constituents feel very deep interest in the proper
and permanent adjustment of his Tariff ques-
ton. They are in favor Of a Tariff for revenue.
and opposed 10 the principle OF protection, which
they believe 10 he unwise for the nation. and une-
| qllal and unjust 10 themselves. Sir nv conSinl-
| cns are in the main an agricultural people they
| come not here to imporune you for exclusive Ia
voys of any kind Whilst the capitalists of the
country band together, end, as in common
cause, are seen pcYpe;ually be>iesng The Halls of
legislation for Banks and Tariffs and every other
conceivable scheme OF monopoly by means OF
which 10 swell their overgrown profits. ny consti-
tuenlS. in common with their brethren Of the pro-
ducing class throughout the Union are found at
| home upon their farms or in their workshops
content To rely upon their own strong arms and
! the generous bouneS OF Natlre for competence
comfort and wealth Scrupuously abslaining
! from the invasion al the business and profits OF
others. by means of partial legislation lhcy ask
! in turn to be let alone in the enjoyment Of the
| fruits OF their honest industry. Sir, the demand
is 80 just ard equitable, that with n due regard 10
correct principles OF Legislation, you cannot, you
dare not disregard il.
But Sir, did not rise 10 make speech on the
Tariff Hoping the bill upon your table NAV he
passed, must with the indulgence of the Com
mce. avail myself The present occasion 10 say
a few words in reply 10 my colleague, (Alr.
Whitc) who has thought proper 10 introduce and
build whole hours speech upon the subject mat
Ter of a letter addressed by ne 10 Mc>SrS Coles
and Hopkins Of Virginia, in reply to certain in
lcrrogatoricS, touching the Presidential election Of
ls3l-5 and Mr.. Clay'S course in regard 10 it. and
the Bankrupt law Of 1871.
Sir, regret the necessity which compcls me 10
take par in the discussion OF matters 81 foreign
la The subject Of the bill! before Ms: hut have M
alternative left me. II was not who dragged The
subject of the letter alluded ID into this discussion;
for that, my colleague Mr.. Whc) is oioae res
ponsihle.
Before | approach the subject OF that letter |
wish 10 say 10 M colleague ana 10 The country
that am among the a>t upon hi, floor, or Gas |
rus) in the world who wouli. unjusty OF unse-
nelou>ly, attack the reputation Of any man on
earth for political purposes; and il in what have
said or shall hereafter say, on his subject my col
league, or any other human bring. shall point out
any error Of fact into which may have fallen, ]
will say 10 him and the country HAT there is no
thing in the composition OF my nature which
WDllu prevent iilc rom it;llI sllil-
pie PREPARATION. But, Sir whilst with pride and
pleasure, would do this. must be permitted To
add that in relation 10 this or any other matter oi
public conccmment, Whether affecting public men
or public measures, there is no power under hea-
ven HAT shall restrain me from IL investigation,
with all that freedom ard fulneSs which in my
Judgment, is Importance cemands.
The letter referred 10 assumes directly OF by i'm
plicalion, that between Mr. Adams and Mr.. Clay,
during the Presidential canvass of 1921, there
were uniricndly relations, which began as far
back the negotiation Of he treaty Of Client i'll
1871. and continued down - the period when the
popular voie was cast between those gentlemen.
aS opposing candidates for Inc Presidency in 1921;
that Mr. Adams was unpopular in the whole
Western country and especially in Kentucky
that general belief existed il that State confirm
cd if not produced, BIZ Mr.. Clay himself that Mr.
Adams a. a statesman, was hostile 10 the interests
of that section Of the Union tha, direct issue
was made between those gentlemen as carly as
! 1922 in reference 10 that subject involving " err
rorS both as To matters of fact and matters o OPT
Mon :" that the cxposiiion then promised by Mr.
Clay was never made; that prior To the election
| Of President in 1926 By the House oi Representa-
lives the Legislature Of Kentucky in concurrence
with the will oi the people, requested Mr.. Clay
and the Kentucky delegation TO vote for General
Jackson: that some time before the election il was
stated by Mr. Claws confidential friends IN Ken
lucky, that he would be Secretary oi State if Mr.
Adams were made President; that in consequence
of thai information, letters were written 10 mem
bers Of Congress 10 induce them To vote for MIR
| Adams; that Mr. Adams was elected President
by the votes Of NJ! CLAY and his friends and did
appoint Mr.. Clay Secretary OF Stale and, final
; IL. that h. an investigation in The Senate OF Ken
lucky in lS3S, and subsequent disclosures, it was
made 10 appear, that those who stated in Ken
tickv before tIic election that Mr.. Clay would BE-
Secretary of State if Mr.. Adams were elected
President, did - upon the authority Of letter
from Mr. Clay himself
HOSTILITY or MEssRs. CLAY AND ADAMS.
In proof Of the unpopuarity of Mr. Adams in
the West, prior 10 1926, may rely with conll-
dcncc on the language then held almost without
exception by Western presses and public men,
No man old enough to recollcct passing events
during the ten years preceding 1925, can he isno-
rant of the fact Perhaps it was in part owing 10
his parentasc, political education and ScoSraphl-
cal position; but no small share of il was aliribu.
table 10 impressions created by Mr.. Clay himself.
Ii was charged by Mr. Adams. that Mr.. Claws
efforts 10 inlurc him commenced a The nesotia-
ton OF The Treaty of Peace. q, Client. III ISL
| In one of the dispatches If thu American Com
rnisscncr> dated December 18th. 1914, will be
found the following passage, VIZ:
II: they (hc British Commissioners asked ihc
navigation of the Mississippi as new claim,
| they coud not expect We should grant it without
an equivalent; il ;hey asked il because 1t was
granted in 1853, they must recognise The claim OF
/ the people Of the United States to the liberty to
fish, and 10 dry and cure fish. IN question: To
place both points beyond all future controversy,
majority Of as dcic17aiacd 10 cGcr 10 admit an art
| Gle confirming both rights: or, we offered at the
/ l. ~, tl, m
and To leave out, altogether, the article defining the
| boundary from the Lake of the Woods West
ward"
Mr. Adams. in his book upon the Mississippi
and fisheries, page l59, shows how the peculiar
! phrascology came 10 be employed in that despatch,
| viz:
The draught having been passed round 10 all
the members ofthc mission f1rrcsi>al was brought
| back To me by Mr. Russell, with an alteration,
which. he said. was desired, not by him hut by
Mr.. Clay, 10 saw instead OF we offered. "A ma
| jorily OF us determined 10 offer"
On the same day, Mr. Russell wrote separate
letter 10 the Secretary of State, stating that he
should thereafter communicate the views which
led the minority 10 differ with the majority on that
question Accordingly, on the 18th February,
1915. while Mr. CLAW and himself were together
in Paris. he wrote long letter 10 Mr. Monroe,
then Secretary of State, setting forth the grounds
OF difference. and mountaineering upon the posi-
ton assumed by the majority In a publication
made in Boston on the 9th June. 1S22 Mir. Rus
sell said, To the only member of the Mission
who had direct interest in the case. Lmeaning
Mr. Clay did show at the time the letter writ
ten al Paris When it is considered, that the Ia
teration Of the joint letter of The Commissioners
at Client. was not desired by Mr.. Russell, but by
Mr.. Clay. il appears singular that the former
should have taken so much pains 10 explain the
grounds of difference between the majority and
minority. Be the true reason what ii may. there
is abundant evidence that Mr.. Adams considered
i, joint contrivance Of Messrs Russell and Clay
10 effect his political ruin
MIR. Russeli> letter was marked private as
if intended to be seen only by Mr.. Monroe, VIII"
was expected 10 succeed Mr. Madison a, as I Presi
dent, and might select Mr. Adams as his Secre,
lary Of State thereby placing nm IN ine inc o.
to have been miSlaid and forgotten. Mr.. Mon
roe was elected President, and appointed Mr..