Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1849-04-20
Mr. BRADLEY's LETTER.

MIX BRADIE1'S LETTER
WESTMINSTER, VI, Jan. 16, Is49.
Dear Sir--On my return from Boston, few
days since, your letter was put into my hands,
and sit down to repeat in substance the cir.
cumstances which related to you when visit
ing at this place, or at any rate, to state the
facts relating to the point you mention, and with
no other reluctance than what arises from being
obliged to speak SO often OF myself
When the election alluded 10 approached,
my situation was somewhat peculiar. Well ac-
quainted with all the candidates and particu-
larly with Messrs Adams and Clay, whose names
were not then united in peoples minds as they
have been since had (although devoted to the
success Of Mr. Az on some occasions contrary
to his known wishes, felt compelled to separate
from his friends and vote with those Of Mr. Clay.
After il was ascertained that the latter had fall
ed Of obtaining the vote Of Louisiana, il became
a matter of interesting speculation what course
his supporters would take more especially as
Gen. Jackson's adherents took measures to OBJ
tain instructions from the Legislature of Ken
lucky calling on the Representatives from that
State to vote for the general. In this coniunc
ture Mr. A. inquired Of me in a free conversation
whether it was possible for me 10 ascertain how
far Mr. c. would feel himself bound by these in
struetions My answer was, that if Mr. c. con-
versed at all on the subject with persons out of
his own delegation, / had no doubt Of being able
to learn his views. He requested me 10 do so,
and accordingly an early opportunity was taken
Of calling on the Speaker at his lodgings, who
happened to be sitting alone and on my stat
ing to him the object Of my call, he said he had
no reserve with me in regard TO his own opin-
ion, but it must not be taken as that Of his col
leagues, as in the emergency he should make
use of no means to influence any Of them in
forming decision that the election in Ken
lucky was by districts and the Legislature could
not speak by districts-nay, might be opposite
in opinion 10 it, and he should take directions
from bis constituents alone. After this we went
on to converse about the election itself, when
Mr. G. said that Mr. Crawford's faculties had
been SO impaired by recent disorders that he
considered him disqualified for administering the
Government, and therefore out of the question !:
as to Gen. jackson, he had made up his mind in
no event to vote for mere military hero, which
he looked upon the General TO be, and added
that he should consider the example Of such
selection, il successful, as one of the greatest
curses which could be inflicted on the country
In this situation he had no other course consis-
tent with his duty but to vote for MIR Adams, as
best for the public veal but again repeated
that he spoke for himself alone. Satisfied with
this, waited on Dir Adams and communicated
to him the substance Of this conversation. Some
time afterwards Mr. A observed to me that as
Mr. c. had concluded to give him his vote, he
thought it very desirable that they should have
private interview for the purpose OF making
arrangements as to the course to be pursued,
and asked me, as a mutual friend, to try and
bring it about. On my mentioning the matter
to MIR e. he repudiatod it at once, and said that
having made up his mind TO support Mr. Adams,
his support would be cordial one both 10 him
and to his Administration, and this he could
give with better effect, and more to his own sat
isfaction, in an independent position but, at
any rate, he could have no separate meeting
with Mr. A. until the event Of the election
should be rendered so certain that such an in
teryiew could be Of no possible consequence to
any third person. To this last determination it
has been my constant belief that he strictly ad.
hercd, and, could the circumstances and CONVEX
sations which came within my own knowledge
(having means of observation neither small nor
few be detailed on paper, it ought to satisfy
the most suspic Gus mind, surprising that at this
day any such satistac ton is needed.
Meanwhile the reasons which had Influenced
MIR {. were operating on his friends; and long
before any public demonstration was made,
there was an almost complete fusion of the two
parties, and their attention was particularly call
ed to the best means Of securing the success OF
the incoming Administration, for which they
would be in great measure responsible II
seemed to be their unanimous judgment that this
could be accomplished in no other way but to
have Mr. c. for part Of the Administration it.
self, and this was pressed upon him by his per
sonal friends in the most urgent manner. His
own opinion appeared 10 be otherwise, bnt he
nnaliy yielded; and whether or not be fully
foresaw the storm which afterwards burst upon
him, the struggle with which he did yield must
nave been apparent to any one who observed
him closely at that period.
Circumstances now unnecessary to be related.
soon afterwards placed me very unexpectedly
IN violent opposition TO that Administration I;
but, from that time to this, when called upon,
have never hesitated to repel the insiiluation
that MIR Clays support of Mr. Adams was pro.
cured BY any bargain or intrigue whatever be-
tween themi and of this gave you when here
an instance. AT the Democratic Convention at
Baltimore which nominated Mr. Van Buren, for
Vice President, being on the committee of one
member from each State TO prepare an address,
when one was presented and afterwards read by
the Secretary, Qhe present Senator Dix,) in
which this very imputation was more than in.
simulated, fastened to declare that could not
IN conscience and honor approve or consent to
subscribe such paper, because nv intimate
personal acquaintance with the whole transact
ton enabled me to say that the charge was un.
true and unjust, and you may remember that no
address issued from that convention.
such, my dear SIR in an off hand style,
winch you Will excuse, my answer TO your re-
guest and the use to be made Of il is left who'll
~ 10 your own judgment by, sir,
-FOUR most obedient and humble servant
=, VIM. @. BRADLEY,
NATHAN SARGENT Esn Washinoton