Demoine courier., 1856-09-11

M~adison's Secretary, Monroe, was in
surn his successor, and Adams. Monroe's
Secretary of State, was al that time one
of the Two prominent canIida,es.-
buchanan animated to Maikley lha, he
waited TO see Clay Secretary Of State.
in order that he might afterwards be
promoted 70 lie highest Office. and there
is nothing in Mr.. Buchanan's characier
to forbid the supposition ,ha, he expect
ed TO establish such a claim on Mr..
Clay's gratitude. in case his intrigue
should be successful, as would make him
Clay's Secretary, and pave The way for
his ultimate elevation to The chiei
magisiracy. Blu, leaving these conjec,.
ures, we will resume our summary OF
facts.
Mr.. Buchanan called on Mr.. Clay, a,
his lodging ia Washington. Hon. K.
Z L.etcher, then a member Of Congress
from Kentucky, and afterwards Cavern.
or OF that State was present, end the
conversation with Mr.. Clay took place
q his presence. Shortly after Buchan
ans entry into the room. he introduced
The suffice. Of The Presidential e%Iec,iou
and spoke OF the cer,aiaty OF The cleo
ton of his favorits, remarking that . fe
would form the most splendid Cabinet
The country ever had" Mr.. I.etcher
asked chow he could have one more
distinguished Than that Of Mr.. Jefferson
in which were both Madison and Gala
tin." Mr.. Buchanan replied that ''IIs
9ould not 90 out OF isis room for Sec
re,afy Of STATE" looking a, Mr.. Clay.
Mr.. Clay playfully remarked that .ht
thought there was no timber there fit fol
a Cabinet Officer, unless il were Mr.,
Buchanan bimself." as st
Mr.. Clay's probable objec, in this
playful remark was 10 draw Mr. Blu
chanan more fully ou,, aud induce hin
to show his hand. But The intrigue
was 10 ripe Tor This, for TO pledge.
could be given withou, The consent o
Jackson.
Gen. Jackson was called on by Blu,
rhanaH, and the subject very cautionsl,
broached. lie was a~pprehensiee iha
his proposal migh;no, be well received
and stipulated beforehand for his pardon
in case il should be disapproved. /
was met by Gan. Jsckson's characters
lie ousburs,s of Indignation. So far frou
being willing 10 pledge The Stale Depar,
men, 10 secure his election. he repealed
the idea oy saying tina, these were sc,
cFe,s he would keep to himself-he would
conceal them from The very hairs of Iii:
head; Mat if he belle 2el his RICH, hand
knew wha, bis left would do Oh The sub
jeci Of appointments 20 office, be woult
cusit oil and cast il Into the fire.
Before | would reach the Presideu.ia
Chair by such bargaia and corruption
he continued, III would see the ear,i
open and swallow both Mr.. Clay an,
his friends, and myself with them"
During The latter part OF Mr.. Clay,
lifeho several times minated 10 Mr.
Buchanan thai it might be his dut,
TO publish the facts of his conversation
with him, but he wasdissuaJed from doing
SO by Mr.. Buchanan. lie however, fur
nished his biographer a biief statement
which was published precisely as Mr.
Clay r il. Mr.. Clay likewise gave
his b~iographer a note advising him 70
apply 10 Governor L.elcher for further
Information. He accordingly addressed
hat gentleman and found his lips closed
by a pledge OF silence which he had
given TO Mr.. Buchanan. In 1914. when
Mr.. Clay was a candidate for the Presi
eency, Gov. Letcher applied TO Mr..
Bnchanan.o be released ftom his pledge
but he declined in a letter resia,ing his
promise. and insisting on his honor 10
observe j..
VIVA. is concealed behlnd that pledge
is known only to the parties concerned,
bu, urgen, demands have been made,
and will again be made, that MIR. Buch-
anan shall furnish the key by which
Governor Le,cher's mouth may be open
ed IN This subject.
Mr.. Blair's letter will be Immediately
issued as a pamphle, from the Office Of
the New York EUening Post, and we
doub, mott. will have a very extensive
circulation. The writer fully susiains
The fact he alleges. and the damage they
are calculated 10 do the Democratic cam
dida,e may be judged Of BY the manner
in which they were characterized by
Gen. Jackson.