Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-11-20
WHOLE NO. 1923.
Private Correspondence Of Henry Clay.
R The private corresnondence az this lamentel

Frivdte correspondence OIL IleHfy CtHy.
\ The private correspondence Of this lamented
statesman has been collected and published in
book form by the Rev. Calvin Colton.
We extract two Of the letters, written 10
Francis p. Blair, which will doubtless be read
with very grcot interest They explain fully
the motives which induced him to vote for Mr.
Adams in preference to General jackson, for
which vote hevas most bitterly asslled, and
most Indignantly maligned The charge Of
bribery and corruption, which was 40 frequent
.ly and 70 yindictivcly urged against him by Tho
partisans Of the day, for mere political pnr,
poses, lit ever had scmblancc Of truth about
1t, or themerc shadow Of a foundation, is most
clearly and most conclusiyely refnted, dis
proved, andproven to be false and malicious, BY
the publication ofthcse letters And, strange
II is, that any one, who had in his possession
such conclusive evidence Of the utter falsity,
and base righteousness Of the charge, should
have retained that evidence within his own
knowledge, no matter what were their social
and political relations until the aggrievcd party
should have passed away, and beyond the
rcach Of malice and envy. Here are the letters
1fr. Clay 70 Francis p. Blair
WASHINGTON, January 8, 1925,
My DEAR SIR: 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, an1 then that
have the power of controlling my friends. Acting
upon this supposition,in the same hour am some
times touched gently on the shoulder by friend,
for example, of General Jackson, who wITthus
address me, "My dear sir, all my dependence is
upon you; don't disappoint us you know our
Partially was for you next to the hero, and how
much we want q Western President" Immedi-
ately after friend OF Mr. Crawford win accost mo,
'.The hopes OF the Republican party are corcen-
tratcd on you; for Gods sake preserve il. If you
had been returned instead Of Mr.. Crawford every
man.of us would have supported you 10 the last
hour. We consider him and you as the only gem
uine Republican candidates" Next friend Of
Mr.. Adams comes, with tears IN his eyes, ssir,
MrAAdams has always had the greatest respect
for you, and admiration Of your talents. There is
no station to which you are not equal, Most IN
doubtedIy you are the second choice Of New Eng
land, and pray you to consider seriously whether
the public good, and your future interests, do
not point most distinctly TO the choice which you
ought to make.n.3a.i8 stil.8 .rcsn i-fsis.,br 4{l
How can one withstand oil this dsinterested
homage and Kindness? Really, the friends Of al
Inree ReHtiemeu are SO very courteous dIfu aHtC-
tionate that ! sometimes almost wish that IT. were
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 them that believe the contest will
be limited to Mr.. Adams and General jackson.
Mr.. Crawfords personal condition ,precludes the
choice OF him, IL there were no other objection 10
his election. As the only alternative which is
presented TO n it is sufficiently painful, and con.
slider whatever choice we may make will be only
choice Of evils To both Of those gentlemen there
are strong personal objections The principal diff
ference between them is, that in the election Of
Mr.. Adams VIC shall not by the example ihaict any
wound upon the character OF our Institutions; but
/ should much feas hereafcr II not during the
present generation that the election Of the GeneIt
would give 10 the military spirit stimulus and
confidence that might lead TO the most pernicious
results. shall, therefore, with great regret, on
account Of the dilemma in which the people have
placed us, support Mr.. Adams. Ny 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. Ifthere.
fore kentucky were TO vote for the General, IL
would probably only have the effect Of dividing our
friends without defeating ultimately the election Of
Mr.. Adams. Three of the four States favorable 10
Mr., Crawford are believed TO prefer Mr.. Adams TO
the General. Virginia is one Of them. am in.
Chtu w tllihh tuTtt-lOurtHs VI
egation have yielded to the influence Of these views
and viii vote for Mr.. Adams. MY friends enter
tain the belief that their kind wishes toward ME
will In the end be more likely 70 be accomplished
by so bcstowing their votes have however most
earnestly entreated them TO throw nc out OF their
consideration in bringing their Judgments 70 final
conclusion and to look and be guided solely by the
public good. III know myself, that alone has de-
termined me. Your representative is inclined TO
concur with rs In these sentiments and views; and
II they should meet your appreciation, as know
he has great respect for your opinions, would be
glad IL you would by the return mail address let
ter TO him to strengthen him In his inclination. BE
pleased TO show this letter to crittendsn alone.
Mr.. Oayto Francis II. Blair. s5
WAsHrSaToS, Jan 20, 1925. y
Ny DEAR BLAIR i received this morning your
very agreeable favor Of the nth instant Alctter
from you is always refreshing and wish that II
could entitle myself 10 expect them more frequent
ly, by more punctualiiy and diligence on my part
in our correspondence. NY last letter informed
you of the unction that was increasingly applied 10
me by all the returned candidates for the PreFi.
dency, or rather their friends. Since then have
ayowed my intention TO support Mr.. Adams, un-
der actual circumstances, aud thereupon the oil
has been instantly transformed into vinegar. The
friends of ------ have turned upon me, and with
the most amiable unarimity agree TO vituperate
me- am descfter from Democracy; giant ut
intrigue; have sold the West--sod myself-de-
feating General Jacksen's election to leave open
the Western pretensions that mny hereafter Gil
them myself; blasting all my fair prospects, etc,
etc. To these are added thousand other of the
most gentle and kind and agreeable epithets and
things in the world. m tsta t.tH
- -z,-, who are themselves straining every
nerve to elect Jackson, that the claims Of the
West may be satisfied and be thereby pretermit
ted are accusing me Of acting on their own princi-
-