Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1844-05-30
(From the Baltimore Amcrican.)
THE BARGAIN AND CORRUPTION CALUMNY

in the general reservoir of delunct calumnies
the eforecenco of party rancour in excited /
been recently revived, in so far as
such thing could be revived, by certain gen.
Ilemen ON the floor of the House of Repre-
The re-appearance OF This miser- |
lble story, under such circumstances, induced
Wr. White OF Kentucky to expose its lalsi,y
ON the spot-although this has been done be-
fore and often enough, one would think, TO
prevent, the repetition of such an exploded fc-
ton, especially in such place. We subiom
that portion of Mr.. Whites remarks which re-
fer to this subject and contain the proofs,
clear, satisfactory and irresistible, of the utter
groundlessness OF the charges alluded to, yet
Nv hich were used with lamentable effect at
one time to deiame one Of the most honest,
frank and open-hear,eG public servants that
ever devoted his life to the well being of his
country.
We may take occasion here to refer to
recent card from Gen. Jackson, published
since Mr.. Whites observations were made,
IN which the General says that he has no re-
collection of having ever written a letter to
Gen. Hamilton recanting the charge of bargain
made against Mr. Clay in 1925. He further
remarks-"Of the charges brought against
both Mr.. Adams and Mr. Clay at that time,
formed my opinion as the country at large
'dld-from facts and circumstances that were
'indisputable and conclusive and ! may add,
that this opinion has undergone no change"
II matters very lille whether Gen. Jackson
ever recalled the charge of bargain against
MIR. Clay or not--sll less is it i'm or,ant wheth-
er he has changed or retained his opinion on
that subject. The Generals hostility to Mr.
Clay is very well known; nor is it likely
that he would have magnanimty enough UNI
der any circumstances to acknowledge that he
had done injustice to Mr.. Clay even if he
could so free his mind from prejudice as to
admit the cearest vinlicating evidence.
But if we mistake not, Gen. Jackson's
charge against Mr.. Clay was based upon
some alleged information received from Mr.
Buchanan Of Pcnnsylvania-and when Mr.
Buchanan was called upon to speak to the
point he disclaimed having given any such
information. What matters it then whether
General Jackson re-iterates or wthdraws a
charge so utterly without foundation---a charge
unsustained by the only evidence, by the spe-
'cial evidence, relied upon TO sustain it ? To
persist in the unjust mputation may indicate
all lmplacable spirit, vindictive temper-but
1t cannot he expected that honest and candid
minds, uninhuenced by such bitter animosty
will be brought for moment TO believe in
such reluted caumny.
But to the speech of Mr. White, referred to
above:
Mr.. White now called the attention Of his
colleague to the Witnesses with reference to
this charge of bargain and sale and, first, to
their old organ OF scandal and defamation in
Richmond-ihe man who had first started
this charge. 1t would be recollecied by the
committee and by the American people, that
tins charge had been made by member of
Congress on this floor. 1t would also be
recollected that the moment this charge had
been announced, Mr.. Clay, who was at that
Time speaker OF this House, conscious of his |
own innocence, an honest man as he came |
from the hands of his God, threw into the |
teeth oil his enemies denial of the charge.
United States, a full investigation of the mat
ter That committee disappointed, with
MIR. Barbour, distinguished Virginan, at its
head that this charge had been referred to
that committee; that the individual who had first
made the charge had been brought before the |
committee, and the record show ed that not
word OF evidence was produced, and that the
committee reported the innocence of Mr.. Clay.
Now, Mr.. w. would send 10 the Clerk the
of the old and distinguished editor of
that party touching these proceedings of the
Congress of the United States:
(From the Richmond Enquirer of February TO- 1887
"As to the other questions upon which we
publish this day such copious debates, we do
not hesitate TO say that Mr.. Clay has met the
charge as man ought TO meet it. His fear
less Promplltude and open defiance are the
surest indications of his innocence This |
combined with avowals from almost all quar-
ters OF the House, and the uniform informa-
ton In the last letters from that city, can leave
no doubt OF the result of the investigation.
nor does Mr.. krcmer shrink, but we suspect |
he Will seek TO escape by a sort of special
pleading such as Mr.. McDuilie has thrown /
INTO his amendment. Be it as it NAV, the in |
curry Is begun and it ought to be prosecuted
with energy; the whole matter should be |
probed to the bottom; no loop-hoIe OUGHT
10 DC leit TO hang single doubt on, for i'm I
times like these the people will expect their
Representatives not only to be chaste, but free
from all suspicion. Mr.. Clay is innocent of,
this Charge. We are fully prepared to see |
the committee acqui him of this inputatiou
OF bartering his vote for an ofiiceo
MIR Rifcbip- i'rnntiuuol y