Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-07-21
Mr.. Clay and Mr.. Richie.

The following is an extract from Ex-senator
Foote'S "reminiscences. published in the Wash
ington Chronicle.
1t was 10 1850, that Mr.. Richie came to me
one morning, few wee Ks after MIR. Clay had
reached Washington, in company with General
Bayley, of Virginia, and urged that We two
should cal upon Mr.. Clay and ask him to offer
a resolution to the Senate for the raising Of a
com mitteee of thirteen, through the instrument
tally of which he thought that the great and
alarming differences then existing might be
reconciIed, and general national brotherhood
be re-estabshed MIR. Richie went further
in this conference, aud declared the opinion,
which he entertained, that no man 10 the Re
public could as successfully take the lead in the
needed work of paciGcaion as Mr.. Clay. lie
the most touching and impressive manner he
gave utterance to the regret which he felt that
facts connected with contests for party ascen-
dency in former days should so far have es-
tranged Mr.. Clay and himself from each
other that he could not take the liberty Of
calling upon him in person and conferrlDg
with him in regard to the means of averting
the catastrophe obviously menaced. Mr.
Rtchie 10 addition, authorized US to give, 10
his name, to Mr.. Clay a most explicit pledged
that, should he conclude to adopt the course
thus indicated, he would support him to the
utmost in the widely-circulated newspaper be
was then editing. General Bayley and myself
called that very evening upon Mr.. Clay in his
parlor at the National Hotel. He met us in
the most gracious and cordial manner, and re-
cevcd with evident pleasure the communication
with which We had been lntrusted by MIR.
Richie. He declared his warm approval of
the plan Of operation suggested by that gen
tlelnan, but stated that, for various reasons
ola very peculiar and delicate character. he
would prefer that the resolution proposing the
committee of thirteen should be brought for
ward in the Senate by some other individual.
atterward agreed to offer it, CD the express cond
bers and that Mr.. Clay himself should consent
to preside over its deliberations. No one will
be SURPRISED to learn that in day or two after,
Mr.. Clay and Mr.. Richie met, became cordially
reconciled to each other, and consulted together
often 10 the most fraternal manner at every
stage, of the great struggle, which, at last,
resulted 10 the adoption of the Compromise
enactmeuts of 1850 Before this consumma-
ton had crowned the efprts OF MIR. Clay and
his Union friends on very warm day in
midsummer, very large party of Congress
sional gentlemen was convened at the hospita-
Bile mansion of Mr.. Sullivan, of this city,
man universally beloved and esteemed, for
the purpose of enjoying dinner good enough,
indeed to be set before princes and MOBILES
MIR. Clay was one of the invited guests, as was
also Mr.. Richie. They sat upon opposite sides
of the table. Mr. Clay was 10 his happiest con.
versatioDal mood, and poured forth many a
choice auecdote concerning the scenes Of public
life through which he had passed. 1t was
but natural that all present should wish to
hear him say something touching the Com
promise struggle then going 90, and the
chances of accomplishing the object which all
of US had so much at heart, and au effort, there
fore, was made to call him out thereupou. He
talked upon this subjec, for sometime, with
even more than his accustomed eloquence when