Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-03-12
The Bribery and Corruption charge
against Henry Clay.

We have not yet seen copy Of Coltons Life of
Clay but in review of it, published in the New
York Courier aud Enquirer, we find the charge
Of bribery and corruption brought against Mr. Clay
BY Gen. Jackson and his friends, and Indignantly
persisted in by the cold hero" TO his dying day,
in spite of the most ample proofs Of its falsehood,
summarily disposed Of by extracts from the work.
Not only is the foul SANDER rebuued, but the
saddle is placed on the other horse. The Jackson
leaders attempted the very rascality Of which they
afterwards accused Mr.. Clay. veriIy,"tim makes
all things even"
We copy, from the Courier and Enquirer, that
portion of the review of Mr.. Colton's work which
has reference to this expose.
Gen jackson, in July, 1887, published letter
in which he repeated his belief that the charge Of
having bargaiaed with Mr. Adams for the Secreta
ryship Of State, against Mr.. Clay, was true and
among the proofs adduces the asserted fact, that
when the charge was first made "Mr. McDuifie
submitted to the House of Representatives, as mat
ter of instruction to the committee, the following
resolution That the committee be instructed to
inquire whether the friends of Mr.. Clay have him
ted that they would fight for those who would pay
best" Sc &c The presentation of this resou-
ton is cited by Gen. Jackson as Specific ac-
cusaton by responsible accuser," and he declares
that Mr. CLAWS friends voted against t-thence in.
ferring their consciousness of his guilt.
The author Of this volume shows that the pre-
tended quotation OF this resolution is fraudulent
and little better than downright forgery, inasmuch
as the accusations which it contains are explicitly
ascribed to Mr.. McDufie whereas in fact they
were quoted by him from Mr.. Kemers letter, and
Mr. McDufie expressly declared that his object
was to c0afne the charges TO their original limits
This matter is made perfectly clear, aud the con-
clusion is perfectly irresistible.
Not satisfied with exploding the whole charge
against Mr. Clay, and showing II TO have had its
origin in most corrupt motives and the basest pos
sble political purpose, Mr.. Cotton brings forward
evidence which seems to prove conclusiyely that
oyertures 10 Mr.. Clay, of precisely the character
which he is said to have received and accepted
from Mr.. Adams, eere actually made By the friends
of GEN jackson. We have already published the
letter of Hon. Mr. Sloane, Ohio, in which he
declares that Gen Houston, then leading sup
porter Of the administration Of Gen, Jackson, SAID
| to him, who was known, in common with his friends
in Ohio, as friend of Mr.. Clay, well, hope
you from Ohio piH aid as in eleetiHg Gen Jackson,
and THEN yOW mGn-meaiing Mr. Ctay,--oAN
HAVE ANYTHING HE PLEAsEs.' This IS certainly
far more explicit and conclusive, with regard to
this point, than anything ever adduced on the other
side But it is followed up with the farther state
ment by the author, of the following fact
That in January, ls45, not long before the cleo.
ton Hon James Buchanan, a jealous and influen-
tia supporter ofGen jackson, called upon Mr.
Clay, and in presence Of Hon II. p. Letcher the
following conversation took place "Shorlly ahel
Mr. Buchanan's entry into the room, he introduced
the subject of the approaching Presidential cleo
ton, and spoke of the certainty of the election o.
his fayorite, adding, that che would form the mos
J. splendid cabinet that the country had ever had
Mr. Letcher asked how could he have one mort
distinguished than that of MIR. Jefferson, in which
we're both Madison and Gaatnl Where would
he be able to find equally eminent menF Mr.. Bn
ohdRan replied, that me WOULD NOT HAVE no &c
OUT OF TINS ROOM TOR SECRETARY OF STATE,
looking at Mr.. Clay This gentleman Mr.. Clay,
playinlly remarked that he thought there was NJ
timber there fl for cabinet officer, unless II wer
Mr.. Buchauan himself" Now this remark nigh
have been playfully made and il so, it would b.
impossible 10 attach to il any great poitica! impor
lance. But this construction Is absolutely ExcLU
DED By Mr.. buchanan himself, as will appear iron
this further extract
"Mr. Clay while he was SO holly assailed witt
the charge of bargain, intrigue and corruption, du
ring the administration of Mr.. Adams, notified Nh
Buchanan Of his intention TO publish the GboVe occur
renee; BUT by THE EARLIEST ENTREATIEs OF tina
1 GENTLEMAN, HE WAS INDUCED TO FoRBRAR DOM
so. The author has understood that several time
in later years, il has been intimaedto Mr. Buchan
an that II might be his (Mr Claysl duty to publls