The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1856-07-19
Gistorital
Cav and buchanan.

Mn. BrCHANAN's Proposal OF BARGAIN
TO MIR. CLAY IN BEHALF OF GENERAL JACK
soN.-IIaving observed in the Louisville
journal statement that n certain passage III
Coton's Life and Times Of Henry Clay, as
sorting Mr.. Buchannns proposal of bargain
to Mr.. Clay in behalf Of General jackson,
having for it's object the intl uence and vote of
MIR. Clay and his friends, to make General
jackson President in 1926 was from the hand
of Mr. Clay himself we have thought proper
to address Mr.. Clay's bographer to ascertain
whether this statement Of the Louisville
Journal he true, and have received the follow
ing answer.-N. Y. Times.
To the Editor of the New York Daily
Times:-ln answer TO your inquiry, | would
state that the two paragraphs printed in
italics on page AIS, vol. |, of my Life and
Times of Henry Clay were furnished Inc by
Mr.. Clay himself and that still hold the
original document, in his own hand writing.
| caused it to be printed in italics to mark it's
peculiar character and special importance;
but did not state that had it from Mr. Clay's
own hand, as he did not signify that to be
his visible being actuatcd as suppose, by
the same generous fOrbearancc towards Mr.
Buchanan which had induced him for so
many years, at Mr.. Buchanan's earnest en-
treaties not to publish this conversation, al
though such a publication would obviously
have contributed to his (AIr. Clay's) vindica-
ton before the public against the charge of
bargain brought by General jackson, and
show that the proposal of bargain came. if
not from the General himself, certainly from
one of his friends acting in his behalf
AS the editor Of the Louisville Journal
seems to have been advised ofthc fact, though
not through me. that this document was
furnished by Mr.. Clay, and as | have been
appealed to by you for the truth of the state
mcnt, could do no less than 10 say the fact
| is so.
1t may also be proper for Inc to say that
Mr. Clay appended note TO the same docu-
ment, advising me to apply to Gov. Ictcher
| for further information on the same subject.
| accordingly addressed Gov. Ictchcr, and
found his lips scaled by pledge of silence
given to MIR. Buchanan. Very respectfully,
Your obedicnt servant,
c. Cotton.
New York, Tuesday, July l, 1856.
The following is the statement, certified to
as above, rs having been made, and which is
now cXtant, in MIR. Clay's own hand. We
| have seen it:
Some time III January, 1925 and not long
| before the election Of President of the United
States by the House Of Representatives, Hon.
| James buchanan, then member of the
| House. and afterwards many years Senator
Of the United States from Pennsylvania who
had become jealous and influential sup
porter Of General jackson in the preceding
canvass, and was supposed to enjoy his UNI
bounded confidence, called at the lodgings of
Mr.. Clay, in the city of Washington. Mr.
Clay was at the time in the room Of his only
mcSsmate in the House. his intimate and con-
lldenlial friend, Hon. II. p. Letcher. since
Governor Of Kentucky, then also member
Of The House. Shortly after Mr.. Buchanan s
entry into the room, he introduced the sub
.jcct of the approaching Presidential election,
and spoke Of the certainty of the election of
his favoritc, adding that he would form the
most splendid Cabinet that the country had
ever had. Mr.. Letchcr asked, how could he
have one more Distinguished than that of Mr..
Jefferson, in which were both Madison and
Galatin Where would nc be able to find
equally eminent men! Mr.. Buchanan re-
piled he would not 90 ont Of this room for a
Secretary of State looking at Mr.. Clay.
This gentleman (AIr. Clay) playfully remark
cd that he thought there was no timber there
| fit for Cabinet officer, unless it was Mr..
| Buchanan himself.
"Nlr. Clay, while he was so holly assaulted
with the charge of bargain, intrigue and cor
ruplion, during the Administration of Mr..
| Adams notified Mr.. Buchanan of his lntcn-
| ton to publish the above occurrence, but by
the earnest entrcatics of that gentleman, he
was induced to forbear dong So"
The above is II true copy Of the document
furnished by Mr.. Clay to his biogIapher, to