Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1856-06-24

as man utterly devoid Of the first principles
Of honor
In connection with this subject we publish
the following communication from gentleman
Of Virginia
| GENERAL JACKSON, Mr.. CLAY AND Ma. BucH-
HANAS.--" Perceiving your paper has lately re-
viyed subject, now historical, that during their
life-mes, affected the regulations of more distin-
guished men than Mr.. Buchanan, let me recall
the subject TO you, and inquire If there was not q
question of veracity between old Hickory and
the "Buck," well rs between Messrs. Clay and
Buchananp
According to my recollection of the origin Of
the charge of bargain against Mr.. Clay, 1t was
made by General jackson before large company
assembled at his house, The Hermitage in Ten
nessee, In words to this effect: If chose might
have been made President in one hour; then ex-
planning that Il to have been accomplished had
he accelcd to proposition made to him by an
emissary from Mr.. Clay who visited him; OF
course, came to his house, for that object When
challenged for the proof General jackson an
nounced that Mr. Buchanan was that emisssry.
"Mr. Clay has emphatically denied the truth of
his employing Mr.. Buchanan on any such errand !;
but has asserted that, in the presence of Governor
Letcher, now alive, Mr.. Buchanan gave him
very strong hint that he (Mr. Bucbanan) would
bring about an arrangement between Mr.. Clay and
General jackson, by which the latter, with Mr.
Clay's aid, was to be made President and Mr.. Clay
to be his Secretary of State. Mr.. Clay gave no
heed to Mr.. Buchanans broad and unmistakable
hint.
"Mr. Buchanan has made the best defence he
could make for himself in his cunning letter Of
June, 1874, to Governor Letcher, when imploring
his good offices to prevent an exposure of himself
by Mr.. Clay In that letter, Mr.. Buchanan declares
| he never had but one conversation with him
General Jackson) On the subject, the then pend
ing election, and that upon the street, of which
he had given an account in his letter of August,
1927
"By this statement Mr.. Buchanan would make
it appear that he did not go to Gen. Jackson at has
lodgings, to make the offer of bargain as de-
clared by Gen. jackson. Who told the truth, Gen.
jackson or Mr.. Buchanan?
"Mr. Buchanan has made the charge publicly,
that Mr.. Clay was induced to vote for Mr.. Adams,
because of corrupt bargain with him, of the same
tenor with the offer Jy Mr.. Buchanan hio,sslf to
Hr. Clayi This base charge Of bargain with
Mr.. Adams, Mr.. Clay has declared to be calum-
ny. Who told the truth on that occasion, Mr. Clay
or Mr.. Buchanan
" Being plain farmer, wish clearly to under.
stand, If possible, if misrepresentation involving
their veracity, have been made by both Gen. jack
son and Mr.. Clay, in their intercourse with Mr.. Bu
chanan; or whether the latter has been guilty of
mendacity, that may be excusable in Taley-
rand, but, according to my old-Gshioned notions,
not in one who aspires to be President Of the
United States
"As understand the case, Mr.. Buchanan Tor both
Gen. jackson and Mr.. Clay have told an untruth--
perhaps two of Them on this very subject ask
of you, Mr.. Editor, with the facts of the case be-
fore you, who told the falsehoods?'
"a FRIEND or TRUTH"
Our correspondent viii find satisfactory
answer to his question in the fact that Mr..
Buchanan has thus far declined to reply to Mr..
Clay's statement in Colton's Life, now pub
lished for more than ten years, although in
formed BY his oaon political organs at the time
that has political salvation depended upon has
doing SO. He did not dare to reply during Mr..
Clay's lifetime and he dares not reply now,
during the lifetime of Gov. Letcher He
stands upon the record charged with an act of
the foulest baseness. If he could clear himself
of this charge, would he not do it?