Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1844-03-28
&oGticac.
JUSTICE TO HENRY CLAY.

JUS lCE ~ HEN Rf CLAY.
In uhich Mr. Calhoun. Mr., Randolph
Gen. Jackson and Mr.. Van Buren,, are
brought under review.
The following LITTER is from Genera
JAMES HAMILTON, formerly distinguish
ed member OF Congress from South Caro-
lima. Ii is addressed to the Muscoges
Clay Club Of Georgia, in answer to al
invitation Tor him TO take part in the pro
cesdngs contemplated on the arrival o
Mr.. CLAY at that place:
OswIcHEE BEND, RUSSELL Co., Ala, !
March 4, lS44 I
My Dear Sir:-On returning from Sa-
vannah to this place, had the pleasure
to receive your kind favor Of The Goth
uit.. enclosing an invitation of the Mus
cogee Clay C.ub to BIZ present at the re-
cept'on If Mr.. Clay al Columbus, on the
18th INST.
very much regret that the ne ess.ty
for short, bu: urg nj visit to Texas, will
compel me to lave hume Tor New Or.
leans on The 9Th instant. ! shall, there
lore, have To deny myself the sincere
gr tihcntion ahIcn their invitation so &c.
eePlablr promises.
You do me 10 more than justice in sup
posing that tie very high estmat- which
] have long since formed Of Mr.. Calhoun's
eminent qualifications for the gover nment
of this country, should in no degree inter
fere with my cordial disposition TO do hon.
or TO the distinguished individual who il
about TO visit you.
II is true. that however much may
have differed with Mr.. Calhoun on a me, .
financial gu, stlon, which at enc time more
materially divided the Country tan at
present, yet have always r,cognis' d 70
his admirable genius, consummat. ability
ami acknowledge moral worth. those re-
sources for high public service which in
any station would confer security ant re-
nown on his country. But it seems that
the usual organs Of the party TO which he
is supposed to belong, whether accredited
or not, have SO far pronounced different
Ju gment, as probably TO postpone his
CLAIMS IN favor OF another dIstinguished
candidate; and certainly, according 10 all
The tokens Of party organ zaiion, it APP
prars that the Baltimore Convention will
perform no other Office but to register an
edIct which has already gone ,th, and
that, like Markets. celebrated automatun
trumpetrr, this eur Gus piece of mcrhsn-
ism has be- sp-ci lily wound up TO und
n particular Dole. Whether this nnie
will be in accordance with the sent m nj
Of tn people Of the Uniu d States remains
l., b. seen.
My own b,som t. stiff {" the truth Of
rm'rk that YOU most justly maxi, In
the lett You have me m the honor to
nd iress me, that The preference which
have expressed for my distinguished fel.
low county lyman, Mr.. Calhoun, is in no
degree inconsistent with the personal
friendship | entertain for Mr.. Clay, or OF
the just appreciation which have formed
OF hts ability and patriotism during SER
vice Tor several years with him in the
Congr IS OF the United States; often in
an rx'itei npposit on, in which we are
best able TO estimate the worth and power
Of those with whom we may be- associated
| became acquainted with Mr.. Claw in
The session 81 1929 when he filed the
chair Of Speaker OF the House Of R.pre-
sentatvrs. Alt ,"ngh At that time a
onGg member, vet through his k'ndnrss
and partlalty. ] wns placed at the head
of oGe Off influential Committees. Our
acqu@in'snce ripenrd into the strongest
social intimacy, which continued with.
out abatement, until the formation of that
great party which was constituted TO ef-
feet the election OF Gen. Jackson to the
Presidency Of the United States. 1t is
known to you W.. took different sides.
ie't myself in the angry contest which
marked that great public CONFUSION,
gradually separated from hun. Although
never INDUCED IN the smallest personal
abuse and denunciation OF this gentleman
-whirh would have been 20 utterly in.
consistent with our former relaiions--yet,
after the election of Nr. A ans 10 the
Presidency, was in The habit OF passing
Mr.. Clay, in tn" STIR cts of Washington,
without even u distant r"cognltlon-for
had then III" folly TO reg ,rd an opponent
o. q n. Jackson almost az public enemy
OF The country. Such il the msdn So nf
pauy! These relations continued ill
WAS summoned by Mr.. Randolph to at
tend him to the field, under Mr.. Clay's
ch 'lienge, IN consequence of the fragrant,
insult which he had offered him in the
Senate OF the United States. in conjunc-
lion with your lsmented and gallant fel.
low countryman Col. Tattnal, at that
time member of the House of Represen.
tatIves from Georgia. There are some
circumstances connected with this duel
which have never been made public
which, as they are honorable both 10 the
living and the dead, hope may be par.
don IN relating. do not think thew
will render Mr. C's reception less corGi.
al and enlhus astir, among people who.
il they cherish romantic. an :, as they are
called, false nn,iups ol honor, are at the
same time alive 10 the test monies oS u
gallant, GENEROUS and fee ing spru.
TIE night befir the duel, Mr.. Ran
dulph sent for ma IN the evening. | found
him calm, hut in sngulsrly kim and
conf ling mood. He told me that h. ha !
som thing on his mind to til me. He
lh"n remarked. "Hemlion. have deter.
mined 10 receive without retu ming
Claws FIRE: nothing shall lnducp me 10