Washington sentinel., 1856-07-22
WASHINGTON, July, 1856.
Mr.. Clay Speaks-Hear Him.

We find in the Lexington Observer and Re
porter, letter copied from the Kentucky
Statesman, which we publish with great salts
faction. 1t is from James B. Clay, son Of
Henry Clay, the great American statesman
whom all men delight to honor.
This letter is the best refutation that could
be made of the stale ISLANDERS now attempted TO
be revived by venal partisan press, relative
to the uufounded charges against Mr.. Buch-
anan-charges denied by Henry Clay himself,
by his biographer, and now by the public gen.
orally. The high personal regard which these
distinguished statesmen ever entertaiped for
each other, also effectually disproves these ma
licious fabricatons.
Mr.. Clay. in announcing his determination
to vote for Buchanan, assumes position which
is alike honorable TO himself and the powerful
party of which his honored father was the ac-
knowledged leader.
From the Kentucky Statesman.
Mr.. Editor Il desire, through your courtesy
to correct statement made in the Statesmen
on the 4th inst, which does great injustice to
two Of my friends, and political brothers, the
Hon. Joshua T. Bell, of Boyle, and the Hon.
Vim. B. Kinkead, of Kenton, and which more
over is untrue. The article to which / refer,
states "that resolutions expressing the conf.
dence of the Wings of Kentucky in Mr.. Fill
more, and saying he was worthy Of their sup
port as in l84S, we're rejected by the votes of
sixteen counties to one, in the State Conven-
tion held at Louisville, on the Sd inst and
that Mr. Bell and Kinkcad adrocdfed them"
1t is undeniably true that such resolutions
were offered in the Convention by Col. Hop
kins Of Henderson, and il is also true that they
were laid upon the table by vote Of sixteen
counties to one. But it is not true that either
Mr.. Bell or Mr.. Kinkead voted for them on
the contrary both gentlemen opposed them, as
have reason to believe they would have done
resolutions to endorse any one but a true old
line Whig for the Office Of President. 1t was,
also, at the express desire and request Of Mr..
KiDkead that Mr.. Adams withdrew bis motion,
TO the effect Il that the Wings Of Kentucky
have undiminished confidence in Millard Fill.
more" It's, however, but candid to say, that
every member Of the Convention understood
that Mr.. Bell and Judge Kinkead preferred
Mr. Fillmore to either Mr.. Buchanan or Mr..
Fremont; neither of them made any attempt to
do so gross and unjust a thing, as to commit
an old line Whig Convention to the endorse
ment of any body but a Whig.
There is also statement copied into the
Observer and Reporter Of the 5th instant, "that
had been heard to say, that ] was not for
auan was not my candidate, or was not nv
choice for the Presidency; but have not said
that should not vote for him. / prefer Mr..
Fillmore personally, and il he stood on the
same principles be did in 1850 l would vote
for him in preference TO any man / know. But
/ expect TO cast my vote for that candidate who
in my opinion may have the best chance to
defeat the candidate of the Black Republican
party, and, at present advised, | think Mr..
Buchanan has the best chance to do so. /
wish it, nevertheless, to be distinctly under
stood, that if shall think it my duty to vote
for Mr.. Buchanan / shall vote as an old line
Wing, making q choice Of what he believes to
be evils, for the good Of the country; and that
whenever the Whg standard shall again be
raised, adhering always to the principles which
! have been Instrumental in asserting at Lex
ington, and at Louisville on the Sd July, | shall
be ready, fairly, honestly and fearessy to battle
against those principles and practices Of the
Democratic party which conflict with our own
views
feel sure, Mr.. Editor, that your readers
will not do me the injustice to attribute to me
too great desire to force myself before their
notice, in venturing to correct misrepresenta.
tons affecting my friends and myself, however
well may know the little importance that
may be attached to any opinions of mine. |
hope the Observer and Reporter will also do
me the favor, as veil as justice, to copy this
letter,
| am sir, respectfully, &cq your obedient
servant
JAMES B, CLAY,
ASHLAND, July 8, 1850,
- J. Baines, OF London, has obtained