The Nevada journal., 1856-08-29

To OLD LINE WHIGs--The story of
Buchanan's authorship of the "bargain
and SALE charge against Henry Clay
in 1924, may be called by the Democrats
an slectioneering trick to beat their cam
didate for the Presidency. We have
published an expose of the affair, taken
from the columns of the Louisville Jour
nal On the authority of that paper, it
is stated that portion of Colton's life of
Henry Clay was written by the great
statesman himself. That portion con-
tanned the declaration that James Bu-
chanan proposed corruption to Henry
Clay, and was repulsed by the pure pa
triot Immediately. To bring the thing
to question of veracity between Clay
and Buchanan, which settles the ques-
ton at once with old Wings, the N. Y
Times has obtained authority from the
biographer of Clay that the statements
of the Louisville Jor5nol are true, and
/
that Henry Clay did write what was
alleged he did Buchanan then, propo-
sed mean "bargain and sale" to Hen
ry Clay, which was Indignantly rejected,
and then had the audacity to insinuate
to Gen. Jackson that Clay was the ori-
ginator of the proposition! The great
statesman was kept from the Presiden-
tial chair by this infamous story put in
circulation by Buchanan and his tools.
Here is all the evidence true heart
ed old Whig needs, to satisfy him of an
important fact which should control his
action at the polls. There can be no
longer doubt but Henry Clay has left
on record the truth concerning a most
henious charge made against him
There cannot be doubt that Buchanan
was the author of it. Read the follow
ing, old Wings, and be convinced:
From the New York Times, July TO-
Mr.. Buchanan's Proposal OF Bargain to Mr..
Clay in behalf of Gen. Jackson---A Singular
Development of History;
Having observed in the Louisville
Journal statement that certain pas
sage in Colton's Life and Times cf
Henry Clay" asserting Mr.. Buchanan's S
proposal of a bargain to Mr.. Clay in be-
half of Gen. Jackson, having for its OBJ
ject the influence and vote of Mr.. Clay
and his friends to make Gen. jackson
President in 1925, was from the hand
of Mr.. Clay himself, we have thought
proper to address Mr. Clay's biographer,
to ascertain whether this statement
Of the Louisville Journal be true, and
have received the following answer:
To the Editor of the New York Daily
Times.
In answer to your inquiry, | would
state that the two paragraphs printed in
italics, on P. 4lS, vol. /, e my Life and
Times of Henry Clay" were furnished
me by Mr.. Clay himself and that still
hold the original document, in his own
handwriting.
l caused it to be printed in italics to
mark its peculiar character 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 wish-he being
actuated, as | suppose, by the same gen
erous forbearance towards Mr.. Buchan-
an which had induced him for so many
years, at Mr.. Buchanan's earnest entrea-
ties, not to publish this conversation, al
though such publication would obvious
| ly have contributed to his (NIr Clay's)
vindication before the public, against
the charge of bargain brought by Gen.
jackson, and show that the proposal of
bargain, if not from the General himself,
came certainly from one of his friends
acting in his behalf
AS the editor of the Louisville Jour
nal seems to have been advised of the
fact, though not through me, that this
document was furnished by Mr.. Clay,
and as | have been appealed to by you
for the truth Of the statement, | could
no less than to say the fact is so.
1t may also be proper for me to say
that MIR. Clay appended a note to the
same document, advising me to apply to
Gov. Letcher for further information on
the same subject. | accordingly ad-
dressed Gov. Letcher, and found his
lips sealed by a pledge of silence given
to Mr.. Buchanan.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
G. Cotton