The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1844-03-28
From the Louisville Journal.

LETTER FROM GEN. JAMES HAMILTON.
The American public have been familiar for
years with the name of Gen. James Hamilton,
formerly a very eminent member of Congress
from South Carolina. During the Administra-
ton of John @. Adams, he was the most zeal
Gus and perhaps the ablest opponent of that Ad-
ministration in the House Of Re presentatives.-
Recently, we have heard little in regard TO his
politics, but we find in our exchange papers an
eloquent letter written by him in reply to an in
%vitatioD from a Georgia Clay Club to attend'one of
their meetings. We take great pleasure in giving
the annexed extracts from that letter. The part,
that refers TO the duel between Messrs. Clay and
Randolph, is exceedingly interesting and highly
honorable to both of those distinguished gentle
men, but we have no room for it:
.'My own bosom testifes to the truth of a re-
mark that you most justly make, in the letter
you have done me the honor to address to me,
that the prefence which I have expressed for
my distinguished fellow-countryman Mr.. Cal
houn, is in no degree inconsistent with the per-
sonal friendship l entertain for Mr.. Clay, or tn
just appreciation which l have formed of his
ability and patriotism during a service of sever
al years with him, in the Congre IS of the United
States: often in an excited opposition, in which
we are best able to estimate the worth and pow
er of those with whom we may be associated
81 became acquainted with Mr.. Clay in the
session Of 1923 when he filled the chair Of Speak-
er of the House of Represen natives. Although
at that time a young member, yet through his
kindness and Partially, l was placed at the
head of one of Its influential committees. Our
acquaintance ripened into the strongest social
intimacy. which contin ued without abatement.
until the formation of that great party which
was constituted to effect the election of Gen
jackson to the Presidency of the United States.
1t is known to you we took different sides. l
felt myself, in the angry contest which marked
that great public convulsion, gradually separated
from him.. Although | never INDUCED in the
, smallest personal abuse and accommodation ol
this genIleman-which would have been SO Ut.
terly inconsistent with our former relations
yet after the election of Mr.. Adams to the Pres
ideney, l was in the habit of passing Mr.. Clay
in the streets of Washington, without even
distant re cognition-for l had then the folly IL
regard an opponent of Gen. Jackson almost a
Q u public enemy of the country. Such is thu
: madness of party. These relations con tinuec
I until I was summoned by Mr.. Randolph to at
s tend hin 10 the field. under Mr.. Clay's challenge
: in consequence of the fragrant insult which HI
: had offered him in the Senate of the United
States.
81 do not know that | should have referred tt
1t. -. -; = IA -. l.I;ouo .h;s L.
incident had no small influence on an imporian
n public event in MIR. Clay's life l allude TO til,
celebrated compromise on the action of the &C
J ton of the tariff of 1875, by the Senate of South
Carolina.
8 81 need not recapitulute the circumstance
IS which precipi,ated that measure, or the fearful
!" situation in which the country was placed
when Mr.. Clay and Mr.. Calhoun, standing as
were. over the troubled water, approached neal
er to each other to still the angry flood. Apar
from all public considerations, which could ade
n equately find their origin in his own patriotism,
v have always believed, although pride and del
have hith erto forbid an explauation, that Ia
touch of our hands on the old battle field, on til
r banks of the Potomac, was not withoutits inAu
ence on Mr.. Clay, when uniting his exertlons /
"a those OF Mr.. Calhoun, TO compose this seemingI
of disastrous quarrel, he took an anxious and frien
nI ly estimate of what he deemed the difficulty
or my own position. But, in The vicissitudes {
ed all human things, how strangely the relation
Of party had been changed! Here, on the on
hand, was Gen. Jackson, TO whom South Car,
nd lima had dedicated the embodied spirit of all h,
sons, beleaguering her with his troops, and NJ
~ Clay, who had been the u~nspared object of he
,ir reproach stri wing to avert a conflict.
n, II fsei. sir, that the country owes him a Iare
IN debt OF gratitude for his exertions at this co
or unctur e. and that the South ihas never dor
e him JUSTICE | desire not TO be misund erstoo,
x There was no day in the week, Sundays exeep
Mt ed, on which the volunteers which | had Il
U. honor TO command, at that time, in Charlesto
Oh would not have gone out and have given &c
he Jackson r regulars battle, if this was TO have d
he eIded the issue, Notwithstanding our Just Apr
ed cia tion of the skill and gallantry of the disti
in guished officer TO whom their command ha
ire been confded, and who, on a trying oceasie
it added to bis known valor SO benignanta desi
for peace and cancellation. Bnt, we knew tn
on the di scharge of the first musket, the stree
lie of our city would run with iraternal blood. M
sa- Clay lent his hand to stay the torrent. Can W
nj then, regard with indifference the services sue
oil a man rendered at such a time!
les "You will permit me to remark that | now TAX
nd no part in llhe politics of the country. | ha
ed not voted for live years al an election, nor do
bly, know that l shall vote for the next FIVE years
nd come
les y +
he II believe Mr.. Clay's election is about
Ire probable as any human event, in futurity. CT
fu- we'll be. A vista of renown will be opened TO hi
po- which has awaited the adm inistrationo of no pr
ex- vious President, since that of the Father of o.
ice Country If he is able, by his commanding i