The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-08-07
CLAY VS.. BUCHANAN-A FOUL INTRIGUE
UNMARKED


of the New York Daily Times, by Mr.. c. Cotton,
the trusted and chosen biographer of Mr.. Clay,
will need no Introductory explanation
"To the Editor of the NeU York Daily Times:
:" In answer to your inquiry, l would state
that the two paragraphs printed in italics, on
page 4l8, vol. l, of my Life and Times of
Henry Clay" were furnished me by Mr.. Clay
himself, and that still hold the original docu-
ment in his own handwriting. 1 caused it to
be printed in italics, to mark its peculiar char
acter 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
actuated, as l suppose, by the same generous
forbearance towards Mr.. Buchanan, which had
induced him for so many years, at Mr. Buchan-
ans earnest entreaties, not to publish this con-
versation, although such a publication would
obviously have contributed to his Mr.. Clay's
vindcation 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.
I" As the Editor of the Louisville Journal
seems to have been advised of the fact, though
not through me, that this document was fur
nished by Mr.. Clay, and as / have been appeal
ed toby you for the truth of the statement could
do no less than to say the fact is so.
1t may also be proper for me to say that
Mr.. Clay appended note to the same docu-
ment, advising me to apply to Gov. Letcher for
cordingly addressed Gov. Letcher and found
his lips sealed by pledge of silence given to
Mr.. Buchanan.
every respectfully, your obedient servant,
&C. COLToN.
"New York, July l, 1885,"
"The following" says the New York Times,
"is the statement, certified to as above, as hav-
ing been made, and which is now extsnt, in
Mr.. Clay's own hand. We have seen it,"
"Some time in January, 1925, and not long
before the election Of President of the United
States by the House of Representatives. Hon.
James Buchanan, then q member of the House,
and afterwards many years Senator of the
United States from Pennsylvania, who had
been a Jealous and influential supporter of
General Jackson in the preceding canvass, and
was supposed to enjoy his unbounded conf
dence, called at the lodgings of Mr.. Clay, in
the city of Washington. Mr.. Clay was at the
time in the room of his only messmate in the
House, his intimate and confidential friend,
Hon. r. P. Letcher, since Governor of Ken
lucky, then also a member of the House. Short
ly after Mr.. Buchanan's entry into the room,
he introduced the subject of the approaching
Presidential election, and spoke of the certain
ty of the election of his favorite adding, that
he would form the most splendid Cabinet that
the country had ever had. Mr.. Letcher asked,
how could he have one more distinguished than
that of Mr.. Jefferson, in which were both Mad
ison and Gallatin ? Where would he be able
| to find equally eminent men? Mr.. Buchanan
| replied, he would not go ont of this room for
Secretary of State looking at Mr.. Clay. This
gentleman Mr.. Clay playfully remarked that
| he thought there was no timber there fit for a
| Cabinet officer, unless it was Mr.. Buchanan
| himself.
"Mr. Clay, while he was SO hotly assailed
with the charge of bargain, intrigue, and cor
ruption, during the Administration of Mr.
| Adams, notified Mr.. Buchanan of his intention
to publish the above occurrence, but, by the
earnest entreaties of that gentleman, he wa:
induced to forbear doing So"
"The above" continues the Times, ais a true
copy of the document furnished by Mr.. Clay
to his biographer, to which we can certify, hay
ing compared it with the original, in Mr.. Clay'i
own hand. The same may be seen in the vol
ume, and on the page referred to above in DR.
Coltons note to u.s."
No one, we presume, at this day will ques
ton the veracity of Henry Clay. His deadly
political enemies while he lived, have, since
bis death, Joined his friends in chanting requi
ems over his grave; and it is too late for them
| now to retract the fulsome adulation which they
now 0usto"ou upon nin. ne IL now, by the
| general consent of the sham Democracy, can
onized as political saint, along with the JEFF
Persons, Madisons, and Jacksons. 1t may BIZ
alleged that the story is false-that it has beer
| fabricated by Know Nothings and Republicans
for political effect. But this question is easily
determined. Let committee of distinguished
supporters of Mr.. Buchanan, in company with
| the representatives of the other two parties
wait on Mr.. Cotton, and examine the original
Their report will be entirely satisfactory to all
parties-or rather, we should say, conclusive
with oil parties; for we apprehend that the
friends of Mr.. Buchanan would not be particu-
larly we'll satisfied with such a report.
But no rational man doubts the truth of the
statement of Mr.. Cotton, verified as it is by the
handwriting of Mr.. Clay, which has been sub.
Haitted to the inspection of the editor of the
| Times
Here, then, we have the real intriguer. We
have heard much of the charge of bargain
and corruption" between Messrs. Clay and
Adams, founded on the fact that Mr.. Clay and
his friends supported Mr.. Adams for the Presi-
dency in the contest in the House of Represent.
atives, but there was never any evidence suffi-
cient to convince dispassionate mind of the
| fact. Here, however we have the direct testi.
mony of Mr.. Clay himself, that the attempt to
corrupt him, and to purchase his support for
General jackson, was made by Mr.. James Blu.
chanan of Pennsylvania.
One would at any rate conclude that Mr..
Buchanan would discountenance the charge of
"bargain" on the part of Mr. Clay, with Mr..
Adams, after having himself put the virtue of
that gentleman to proof. But no such thing.
By innuendo he evidently intended to keep the
foul charge on its legs. He refers to the mat.
ter in his letter to the editor of the United
States Telegraph, of October l6, 1926, rs fol.
lows:
"The facts are before the world, that Mr..
Clay and his particular friends made Mr.. Adams
President, and Clay was made Secretary OF
State. The people will draw their own infer.
ence from such conduct, and the circumstances
connected with it. They will Judge of the
cause from the effects"
Another very remarkable passage of this
same letter is as follows:
al had no authority from Mr.. CLAY or his
friends to propose any terms to General Jack
son in relation to their votes, nor did make
any such proposition. trust would be az
incapable of becoming messenger upon such
an occasion, as it is known General jackson
| would be to receive aueh q n,os.orou