The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-10-09
WASHINGTON, 9th January. 1924.
fshould be 1921

My dear SIR: send you, by this day's mall,
Lord Byron's Conversations, which, notwithstaDd-
ing MIR. Walshs unfavorable opinion of them, I
think you will find often piquant, and worth, up
on 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 odium which he brought
upon himself by 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 up
on this supposition, in the same hour | am som e.
times touched gently on the shoulder by friend,
for example, Of General Jackson,) who will thus
address me My dear sir, all my dependence is
upon you; don't disappoint us; you know our
partiaity was for you, next to the Hero, and how
much we want Western President!" Imme-
dately after, friend Of Mr. Crawford will accost
me" The hopes of the Republican party are
concentrated on you; for Gods sake preserve it
If you had been returned, instead of Mr.. Craw-
ford, every man of us would have supported you
10 the last hour we consider him and you as the
only genuine Republican candidates - Next
friend of Mr.. Adams comes, with tears in his
eyes" Sir, Mr.. Adams has always had the great
est respect for you and admiration of your talents;
there is no station to which you are not equal
most undoubtedly you we're the second choice of
New England-and pray you to consider Sc
rlously whether the public COED and your own
future interests do not point most distinctly to
the choice which you ought to make !"
How can one withstand all this disinterested
homage and kindness! Really, the friends of all
the three gentlemen are very courteous and
afectionate, that sometimes almost wish that it
was IN my power to accommodate each Of them;
but that being impossible, we 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. Crawford's personal con-
dition precludes the choice Of him, If there were
no other objection to his election. As the only
alternative which is presented to us, it is suffi-
GENTLY painful, and consider whatever choice
we may make will be only choice of evils. To
both OF those gentlemen there are strong per-
sonal objections. The principal difference be-
tween them is, that in the election of Mr.. Ad-
ans we shall not, by the example, inhict any
wound upon the character of our institutions
but should much fear hereatter,i if not during
the present generation that the election of the
General would give to the military spirit stmu-
lus and confidence that might lead to the most
perncious results. shall, therefore, with great
regret, on account of The dilemma in which the
people have placed US, support Mr.. Adams. My
friends are generally SO inclined. What has great
weight with me, is the decided preference which
majority of the delegation from Ohio has for
him over General Jackson. II, therefore, Ken
lucky were to vote for the General, it would pos
sibly only have the effect of dividing our frends,
without defeating ultimately the election Of Mr..
Adams. Three of the four States favorable to
Mr.. Crawford are believed to prefer Mr.. Adams
to the General. Virginia is one of them. am
inclined to think that nearly three .fourths of our
delegation have yielded TO the influence of these
views, and will vote for Mr.. Adams. Nv friends
entertain the belief that their kind wishes toward
me will, in the end, be more likely to be accom-
pllshed by so bestowing their votes. | have,
however, most earnestly entreated them to throw
me out of their considerations in bringing their
judgments to final conclusion, and to look and
be guided solely by the public good. If know
myself, that alone has determined Inc. Your re-
preventative is inclined to concur with us in these
sentiments and views; and, if they should meet
your appreciation, as know he has great respect
for your opinions, would be glad il you would,
by the return of mail, address letter TO him, to
strengthen him in his inclination. Be pleased to
show this letter to Crittenden alone.
remain, faithfully, your friend,
H. CLAY.N
F. P. BLAIR, Esq.