Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-10-09
),)olitirol,
Gen. Jackson g. James Buchanan.
LETTER FROM FRANCIS p. BLAIR.
TO THE PUBLIC.
CONCLUDED

TO THE PUBLIC.
[coSCLuDED
The great scheme which Mr.. Buchanan had
contrived, to make his friend, Gen. Jackson,
President his fIerd Clay secre,ary-with the safe
precedent in hand to assure him of the succession
Fif csssstrsd With, ssecsss sasyskis interReaitien,
could hardly fail to pitt Mr.. Bbchanans in, The
line Of heirship underline new dypastys. Tic
Virginia iunvirae-Jeilerson, Madison. Mon
oe,-had made an oficicial succession which
ambitious politicians were eager to emulate
Mr. Buchanan resolved to court the good graces
of Mr.. Clay, in which he had already made some
progress. He approached him with "the safe
precedent " in his hand, which he had previously
told Mr.. Markley would bring the Presidency to
Mr.. Clay after it. lie spoke 10 Mr.. Clay " of
the certainty of the election Of his iavorte, Gen.
jackson, adding, g that he would form the most
splendid cabinet the country had ever seen. -
Mr.. Letcter asked - how could he have one
more distinguished than that of Mr. Jefferson
in which were both Madison and Gaatn! -
Mr.. Buchanan replied, that he ,oouM not go
ow Of this room for a Secretary Of State -
locking at Mr.. Clay.
Mr. Buchanan has cunning leer, with cast
of the eye, which renders it impossible to mis-
take the object of his address when he fixes his
look. Hence, although LetcheG asked the qucs
ton, Mr.. Clay saw that the reply was meant for
him, and therefore tells US l." that he playfully
emarked that he thought there was no timber
there fit for cabinet officer, unless it were Mr..
: Buchanan himself" How Mr.. Buchanan inter
preied this playful compliment to himself given
IN return iof the earnest one placing Mr.. Clay
above the splendid statesman who adorned the
State Department in Mr.. Jefersons time, is nol
left 10 conjecture. He saw no repulse in the sug-
geslion from Mr. Clay which would assign ,t
? Mr.. Buchanan himself the place he wished 1t
2 give to secure the election Of President. If he
7 should command for >lr Clay what he himsel
was thought worthy.to noId, 1t would mcreas
e the obligation he sought to confer. Mr.. Clay
= remark was, doubtless, meant TO draw HIM ou
r further, and make him show his hand fully
S although believe he never meant 10 accept it,
y Mr.. Buchanan was not prepared for this. 1t wa
= necessary, before he used names and propose
r stipulations, that he should know how Ger
e Jackson would relish his plot; accordingly h
is went 10 the General and broachcd it. That tn
ID proposal was received with burst of indignation
,e Mr.. Buchanan himself cannot conceal. So #
is from being willing TO pledge the State Depar
10 ment to secure his election, he repeled the idt
IN by saying, these were secrets he would ket
to himsef-he would conceal them from the vel
is hairs of his head that if he believed his rig
at hand knew what his left would do on the sube
30 of appointments to office, he wou cut it off al
lis cast it into the fire. &c. Mr.. Buchanan ON
is hat General jackson gives as the concuslon
lg his rcsponse, " that, before | would reach t
" Presidential chair by such means Of bargain a
he corruplion would SEE the earth open aud sai
,st low both Mr.. Clay and his friends, aud nys
IN with them
nd General Jackson, when strongly moved. utter
is his feelings wh vehemence, and as his mi
ed fired, with cumulative figures. 1t is not imp
ew bable, therefore, that the language remember
ulf by Mr., Buchanan was employed, and worked
that heat which exploded in the denunclall
his that blew up Mr.. Buchanans plot But h'
ct can Mr.. Buchanan be believed, when he says
lty the next line, that this answer TO his quest
'ay was such an one g as he expected 10 receive
lc such an one as he souph, to obtain, not for