Litchfield enquirer., 1844-10-24
Mr.. oLAYs LETTERS TO F. B. BLAIR

uVn9 @no bargain between Me9Sr5. Clay and Ad-
ans in 1926, have for some years fallen back on
the evidence which they have asserted they could
Ssoe It they possessed and were allowed to publish
certain private letters from Mr. Clay to Francis P.
Blair (Dow Editor Of the Globe, then of leading
Clay paper in Kentucky These letters, written
IN the most unreserved confidence of Statesman to
an ardent friend and supporter, were transmitted
6y Mr. Clay in 1927 to Col. John Harvie of Frank
Tort, BY whom they were placed in the hands of
Coi Richard H. Taylor, also of Frankfort, for pub
lie inspection. Hundreds then saw them and read
them. Amos Kendall was of the number and he
made and published extracts from memory, as he
sad) SO garbled and put together. to give all pos
sible countenance to the SANDERS on Mr.. Clay
These have been repeatedly repnblished, and were
used by Linn Boyd in his speech against Mr.. Clay
last winter. Mr.. Clay transmitted copies of them
last sumner to BENZ. w. Leigh, Richmond, Virgin
ia, who determined to publish them as the most eff
fectual way Of putting down the SANDER; and Mr..
Clay making no objection, the letters appear in the
Richmond Wing of Tuesday. They are as follows
WASHINGTON, hn. eth, 1925.
My Dear Sir 81 send you, by tins days mail,
Lord Byron's Conversations, which, notwithstand-
Mr.. Walsh's unfavorable opinion Of them, think
You will find often piquant, and worth, upon the
whole, an extensive perusal. Besides the literary
and critical interest which they possess, they will
have the effect of diminishing, though not entirely
removing, the oiium which he brought upon him
selfby his conduct to his wife.
My position in relation to the friends of the three
returned candidates is singular enough, and often
to me very amusing. In the first place, they all
believe that my friends have the power of deciding
the question-and then, that have the power Of
controlling my friends! Acting upon this assump-
ton, in the same hour, am sometimes touched
gently on the shoulder by friend, flor example
ofGen. Jackson,) who will address me; ''My dear
sir, all my dependence il upon you; don't dlsap-
point US; you know our Partially was for you,next
to the Hero. and how much we want Western
Presidentw Immediately after, Hiend Of Mr..
Crawford will accost me-ssTh hopes of the Re-
publican party are concentrated OH you; for Gods
snke preserve it if you had been returned instead
Il Mr.. Crawford, every man Of US would have sup
ported you to the last hour. We consider him and
you as the only genuine Republican candidates."
Next. a friend Of Mr.. Adams comes, with tears
in his eyes" Sir, Mr.. Adams has always had the
greatest respect for you, and admiration Of
ents; there is no station to which you are not
equal-most undoubtedly you were the second
choice of New England-and pray you to consider
seriously whether the public good and your own flu
ture interests do not point most distinctly to the
choice which You ought to make!' How can one
Withstand all this disintereSted homage and kind
ness: Really. the friends Of all the three gentle
men are so very courteous and affectionate, that
sometimes almost wish that it was in my power to
accommodate each of them; but that being impos-
sible, are beginning to think seriously of the
choice which we must finally make. will tell
you, then that believe the contest will be limited
to Mr.. Adams and General Jackson. Mr.. Craw-
ford,s personal condition precudes the choice of
l;,, Il there ,voro M otber objection to his olec
tion' A. the only alternative which il presented
to US, it is sufficiently painful. and consider what
eyer choice we may make, WILDE choice of evils.
To both Of those gentemen mere are strong per-
them is. that in the election of MIR. Adams we
shall mot nv the examnle. infiict any wound upon
the character of our institutions but | should
much fear hereafter. if not during he present gen
Grafton, that the election of tho General would
give to the military spirit stimulus and conf
deace that mi sht leau to the mos pernicous re-
suits shall therefore. with great regret. on ac-
count Of the dilemma in which the people have
placed me, support Mr.. Adams My friends are
generally so inclined What has great weight with
me, Is the dectd ID PERSEVERANCE Ashich majority OF
the delegation from ONO mas ICY MIN over zen
Jackson II, therefore, hentucKy were 10 vote iot
ofdlviding our friends, without defeating ultimate
ly the election OF mr.. Adams. lhree OF !he iour
States favorable to Mr.. Crawford, are oelieVeo 10
prefer Mr.. Adams to the General. virginia Is one
a them am incancd 10 tn'"k tnat near ~" ~
fourths Of our detegaton nave y'elueu !" '"e i'iu
ence OF these views, ana wal rots .oI WI ,,
My friends entertain tne neuel' 'na' .nelt , E,nu
wishes towards me- wiil IN the enu, DC nElc I'M
ly to he accomplished by so oestownS tneis woes
Ihace ho,repcr. most ed'aestfy e.t"eaaeI Yen ~
ttr1to me cut Of Their c0'sSmeolion' IN bringing
their Judgments TO nnal conctason' a IT, 70 I","
and be guided soiety oy me pMone goo0' k n
myself, that alone has determined me; 1cW nep
resentative IS inclined TO CONCUR wan US ~ .nese
sentiments and vews ana. .ney snou'a .a nee
your appreciation as Know ne ms sreaa h.
Tor your opinions, wou'1 DC sau ~. ."nn,.L
the return man address, ie..es :. r..
en- him in his incl,natlQfE be pieasea 10 snow
this letter to Crlttenden alone. ucr.v
remain faithfully yonr if'eho' H. oAE1i'