The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-09-06
wooDsFIELD. OHIO, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER g. 1914.

In April 1877, through some mysterious Ini1u
ence never yet explained, Mr.. Russe's private
letter, written in 1915, was called for by the Hous
of Representatives.; but it was said to have beer
lost or mislaid. Mr.. Russell, however, furnished
a duplicate, and in June the call was renewed. Oh
that occasion, Mr.. b. Hardin. member Of thu
House from Kentucky is reported to have said
that this letter "would show the western people
in what manner their interests were disre garded o
sacrificed; that the Commissioners lat Ghent] of
fered to give up the navigation of the Mississippi
TO secure the Fisheries of the East"
Mr.. Russell's original letter was now found, and
with the duplicate was submitted to Mr.. Adam;
who detected many differences between them
which he exposed in severe commentary. The
two papers and the commentary were all sent tc
the House, and the effect was to discredit Mr..
Russell altogether. Mr.. Adams followed up the
advantage which he had obtained by Mr.. Russelps
alterations OF his letter, repeatedly insinuatng as
well in his commentary as in subsequent publica-
tons, that he considered Mr.. Clay at the bottom
of the whole scheme. A single extract from his
book on the fisheries aud the Mississippi page 254,
will be sufficient to prove this point: viz.
"The perusal of Mr.. Russell's duplicate, dis
closed to me the mystery of ruin which had been
brewing against nae, from the very day after the
signature of the treaty of Client. 1t was by rep
RESERVATIONS like those Of that letter, that the minds
OF my fellowcitzens in the west, had for success
sion of years been abused and ulcreated against me-
'h,t ind a.,
of the mission Of Ghent but subsidiary SANDER had
performeds its part of pointing all the guilt and fas.
tenng all the responsibility of the crime upon me- :"
So direct were Mr.. Adams ausIons to Mr.
Clay as the author of dishonorable intrigue to
destroy him, that the latter was obliged to come
before the public. Mr.. Adams book reviewing
the controversy, was published about the lst Oc-
tober 1922. In December of that year, the follow
ing letter appeared in the National IDtelligencer
viz.
LEXINGTON, 18th Nov. 1922
"GENTEMEN: l have witnessed, with very
great regret, the unhappy controversy which has
arisen between two of my late colleagues at Client
In the course of the several publications of which
ii has been the occasion, and particularly IN the
appendix TO pamphlet, which has been recently
published by the honorable John Quincy Adams,
i think there are some errors (no doubt uninten-
tional both as to matters of fact and matters of
opinion, in regard to the transactions at Client,
lang to the navigation of the Mississippi, and GER
tain Liberties claimed by the United States in the
fisheries, and 10 the part which bore in those
These important interests are now
well secured, and, as it respects that of the navi
CATION of the Mississippi, left il ought to be, on
the same firm footing with the navigation of all
other rivers of the conlederacy, the hope may be
confidently cherished, that itnever will hereafter
be deemed fit subject of negotiation with any for
eign power. An account, therefore, of what oc-
Cured in the negotiations al Ghent, on these two
subjects, is not perhaps necessary to the present or
future security of any of the rights of the nation,
and is only interesting as appertanng TO its past
history. With these impressions, and being ex-
remely unwilling TO present myselfatan time be-
ore the public, had almost resolved to remain
silent, and thus expose myself to the inference OF
IN acquescence in the correctness OF all the state
nents made by both my colleagues; but have on
more reflection, thought; that it may be expected
IF me, and be considered as duty on my part, to
contribute all in my power towards full and faith
ul understanding of the transactions referred to.
Under this conviction, will, at some time more
,ropltous than the present, to calm and dispassion
lte consideration, and when there can be no msin.
erpretation of motives, lay before the public mar
ative of those transactions as understood them.
will not, at this time, be even provoked lit would
II any time be inexpressbly painful to me, to find
necessary to enter the field of disputation with
'ither of my late colleagues.
"As to that part of the official correspondence at
Ihent, which had not been communicated to the |
,ubc by the President OF the United States, prior
o the last session of Congress, certainly knew of
10 public considerations, requiring it to be with
leld from general inspection. But / had no know- |
dge of the intention of the honorable Mr.. Floyd,
o call for it, nor Of the call itself, through the
1ouse of Representatives, until saw it announc-
ID in the public prints. Nor had any knowledge
# the subsequent call which was made for the let
er of the honorable Mr.. Russell, or the intention
o make it, until derived it from the same chan
el.
81 will thank you TO publish this note in the
National Intelligencer, and to accept Of
he high respect of your obedient servant,
H. CLAY"
The next day the following reply appeared in
he same paper:
% the Editor of the National Intelligencer.
"GENTLEMEN In your paper OF yesterday
ave observed a note from Mr.. Henry Clay, which
equires some notice from me.
"After expressing the regret of the writer
the unhappy controversy which has arisen
etween two Of his late colleagues at Client, it
roceeds to say, that in the course of the several
publications. of which it has been the occasion,
nd particularly in the appendix TO the pamphlet
,cently published by me, s'he thinks there are
Il \ hotl fo