The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-09-27
NOTES.

I. The opponents of Mr.. Adams administra-
lion in Kentucky, or at least that portion of them
who had acquiesced IN or promoted his election,
did not at first charge as corrupt the understanding
by which he was made President, and Mr.. Clay
Secretary of State. The character of the contro-
versy was changed, however, by Mr. Clay's
declarations in his address to the public, comment
ing on Gen. Jackson's letter to Carter Beverly,
dated Lexington, 26th June, 1927. To appreciate
the grounds of that change, the following extracts
from that address should be read in connection
with the foregoing evidence, particularly the
quotations from Mr.. Clays letter to Mr. Blair, viz:
81 neither made, nor authorized, nor knew Of,
any proposition whatever, to either of the three
candidates who were returned TO the House of
Representatives at the last Presidential election,
or to the friends of either of them for the purpose
of influencing the result of the election, or for
tions and inuendoes, that my vote on that occasion
was offered to be given, or was in fact given, in
consideration Of any stipulation or understanding,
expressed or implied. direct or indirect, written
or verbal, that was, or that any other person
not, to be appointed Secretary of State, or that
was, in any other manner, to be personally bene-
fitted are devoid of all truth, and destitute of any
foundation whatever"
"It will be universally admitted that the
accusation is of the most serious nature. Hardly
any more attrocious could be preferred against a
representative of the people in his official charac
ter. The charge in substance is, that deliberate
propositions of bargain" were made by my Coa-
gresscnal friends collectively, through an author
lied and distinguished member of Congress to
Gen. Jackson; that their object was, by these
''means Of bargain and corruption" to exclude
Mr.. Adams from the department of State, or to
secure my promotion to Office; and that | was
privy and assented 10 those propositions, aud to
the employment of those means. Such being the
accusation and the prosecutor, and the issue
between us, have now right TO expect that he
will substantiate his charges by the exhibition Of
satisfactory evidence. In that event, there is no
| punishment which would exceed the measure Of
my offence. In the opposite event, what ought
to be the judgment of the American public, is
cheerfuy to their wisdom and Justice"
q Some whig editor recently fabricated a
statement that Gen. Jackson in letter to Gen
Hamilton, had acquitted Mr.. Clay of the charge
of bargain in the election of 1925, so extensively
made and believed. 1t is fortunate for the cause
of TRUTH that ihe venerable ero has lived to pu
his utto on this fabrication.
A CARD.
| To the editors of the .Nashrille Union:
Gentlemen-My attention has been called tc
various newspaper articles referring to letter sale
to have been written by me to Gen Hamilton
recanting the charge of bargain made against Mr.
Clay when he voted for Mr.. Adams in 1925.
To put an end to all such rumors, feel it to bt
due to myself to state that have no recollection
Of ever having written such letter, and do no
believe there is letter from me to Gen. Hamilton
| or any one else that will bear such construction
OF the charges brought against both Mr.. Adams
and Mr.. Clay at that time, l formed my opinion a
! the country at large dd-from facts and circum
stances that were indisputabe and conclusive; ana
I may add that this opinion has undergone u,
! change,