Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1844-05-02
gmsu t2zHLahth eoMarrss.


Au4ms ~ 49, Wace oy mr.. Boyd ano
others. MT. w. reviewed The measures
and acts Of his opponents in a severe siyle.
We copy The following from the cores
poRdenee 81 the Baltimore Patriot. and
ask OUT readers To- note il we'll.
Mr.4White said The most unpleasant du.
iy Ae bad ever performed. now devolved
upon him. He said that be wished the
bitter cup might pass from him. but that
could not besas However reluctant he was
10 undertake the task, il was one which
his sense OF dutyS did not permit him 10
shun. He wouldjendeavor 20 10 regulate
bis course. and to observe decorum and
order as far as il was possible fer him 10
do.
He held in bis hand letter written by
a colleague Of hisH(Mr. Lynn Boydl con-
tanning most serious charges against We
~ distinguished citizen Of the West (Mr
Clay.) These charges ftrue. would con.
sign that person ID the ignominy of con-
6nement within the walls of dungeon.
He would not consume time by comment.
ing on The circumstances attending the
publication Of that letter, but would re.
mark that Mr.. Clay was now upon the
borders Of Virginia-an impostan, cleo
ton is soon TO take place in that State,
aud the appearance OF that document was
10 counleract the effect which it was APP
pretended his passage through the State
might have upon that election. Il was to
have been hoped that the hospitality OF
the Old Dominion would have been ex-
tended to Mr.. Clay, rather than that he
should have been thus, denounced and
slandered.
Mr.. w. said hewould undertake to do
what was regarded as very difficult 10 be
done in court Of Justice. He would moi
only disprove the direct charges contain.
ed in this letter, but be would prove a
Negative. He would do this out otthe
mouths of the aceusers themselves. He
then read-a paragraph from Letter sign.
ed by Mr.. Lynn Boyd himself and Mes
srs. Hopkins and Coles, of Virginia, the
gentlemen 20 whom Mr.. Boyd had address
Esed bis first letter, reviying the. charge o
bargain and corruption against Mr.. Clay
The letter portion Of which Mr.. White
Enow read, was reply Of these three gen
ltlemen 10 one from Mr.. Thomson. 0
Kentucky, il WHICH he (Mr. T. enquif
ed Of them whether they believed thi
chargeto be true. In this letter they dis
avow making any charge Of corrupt bar
gain between Mr.. Clay and Mr.. Adams.
i Mr. White thenAspoke Of certain letter
alluded 10 by Mr. Boyd, which be (Mr
d h.lf.a.J .h.t,rf;alaJ tha charvo
Some conversation here took place. be
tween Mr.. White and Mr.. Boyd in regar,
10 these letters, which was not distinct,
heard. When that point was disposed Of
Mr.. w. said he would proceed 70 exam
inc further the truth Of the charge H
alluded TO Mr. Richie, OF the Richmon
Enquirer, who was now, he said, pEomi
nent in giving Publicity to it. He sen
10 the Clerk letter Of Mr.. Ritehies. da
ted 10th OF February. 1925. which wa
|, read, and in which Mr.. r. pronounce
4 9Mtt tiniisgvtfeFasGiflt! Of the charge: An
! tday CO mes forward 10 faIsify bis or
words. for the purpose Of siigmatizing MI
Clay.
: Mr.. White said he would { XII bring /
the stand Mr.. Benton. He sent a volum
to the Clerks desk. containing lette
from that gentleman. showing that Mi
Clay had expressed his determination |
vote for Mr.. Adams. before the Con
lgress met, and before he came on 10 Wash
ington. It was matter Of notoriety, Mi
White said, among Mr.. Clay's neighboI
and friends. before he left home and be
fore be had an opportunity TO see Mr. AID
ans, that be was going to support him.
The next witness he would summon
was Mr. Buchanan Of Pennsylvania. Mi
White said it would be recollected tina
Mr.. B. was the witness who was relie
on 10 prove the charge, and it was upo
bis authority that Gen Jackson had re
peated it.s But when appealed to, he ha,
most unequivocally declared that be ha
no authority 10 make any proposition /
Mr.. Clay in regard 10 his vote for presi
dent.
! Carter Beverly had also been promi
nenily connected with the charge. H,
had lived, long enough 10 repent of th,
great injustice he had done Mr.. Clay
He had outlived his rancor, and 10 his-dy
ing moments had relracted all be had al
tleged against Mr.. Clay, and had complete
Fly exculpaied him. Mr.. w. said be hac
no doubt the present revilers Of Mr.. CLAW
before their dying moments. would expe
rience The same coupunciions, and ,ha
they, too. would admit they had don,
him great injustice.
He then said he found the charge Co
pied from the Enquirer, into the Madiso
man, The organ Of the President publish
ed under bis eye and subject to his con
troll. What did that man say in The day.
when be had some regard for truth 3
i Why he, too, had acquitted Mr. CLAY o.
this foul accusation. Mr.. w. read let.
ter written BY John Tyler in which ne
entirely exonerates Mr.. Clay. Mr..
White then read letter from Gen. Lafay.
cite, who was in this country al the time
Mr.. Adams was elected president, which
also contained evidence of Mr.. Claws n.
nocence Of this charge. He then refer.
red 10 The testimony 81 M. Adams him.
self, who. recently, whilst on a v;sit /,
The West, had in aEpublic spesch nro
ncunced tbe charge unfousGed and h.,
appealed in the NEST solemn manner ~ :
Heaven. 70 Wines the truth Of bis decla
| re.ion.
In The limited space allotted 10 iii,
sketch Of Mr.. VS. speech, and the erea
hasle in which it was written. nothine
like justice can be done to hisramarks.-
4 This IL - vary m Z 49, ,,,sts,,o r. a y. 4 .