United States with the cause in which he was the rights of others, and by acts of general engaged; and administered a lofty reproof for outrage and wrong which would have for ever the ambitious desigus, so foreign to the spirit disgraced any man in any age. Mr. CLAY, who of true Liberty, which had been attributed to had before been on friendly terms with Gen. this celebrated man. JACKSON, could not look with even the approToward the close of the session of 1818, the bation of silence upon these unlawful and disquestion of the power of Congress to aid In-graceful proceedings, and gave his support to ternal Improvements was again brought before a series of resolutions of censure upon his conthat body, generally by a passage in President duct, introduced in 1818-19. They did not MADISON's Message, but more directly by a pass, however, mainly through the interference bill introduced into Congress making an appro- of the President and his Cabiuet. priation, for these purposes, of the bonus paid At this session of Congress Mr. CLay refor its charter by the Bank of the United States. newed his efforts in favor of PROTECTION TO Mr. CLAY gave his ardent support to the bill, AMERICAN INDUSTRY,-that great cause, the and it was passed, but vetoed, on the ground of success of which he regarded as essential to Constitutional objections, by President MADI- the completion of our Independence, and to SON. Acting, as is believed, under the impres-which he had already given an earnest of his mon produced by this veto, and contrary to his devotion in the temporary tariffs that had preprevious convictions, President MONROE, in his viously been established. The principle of inaugural address, reiterated the unconstitu- PROTECTION had never before been clearly retionality of the exercise of such a power by cognized; but Mr. CLAY now brought it forward Congress. In opposition thus to the declared and urged it with all his power. He based the opinion of these two Presidents, a resolution necessity of this radical change in the policy was introduced into the House claiming for of the country on the fact, that the United Congress this disputed power. It was discussed States could never find in Europe a permanent for several days, and supported by Mr. CLAY in market for their productions; but that to renone of his most effective and logical argu- der herself independent of foreign countries, ments. It was carried by a vote of 90 to 75; who in half a century could not purchase half and thus was deeply laid, by his exertions, the her surplus products at the existing rate of foundation for the universal system. increase, she must make markets of her own, The Seminole war, which has cost the Nation by building up manufactures which should diso many millions of money, and involved her vert part of the industry of her people from honor in such ineffaceable disgrace, had its agricultural pursuits. In the House the policy origin as early as 1814, in the aid that tribe prevailed, but was unexpectedly defeated in furnished the British during our contest with the Senate. In 1824 the greatly increased disthat nation. Gen. Jackson was sent against tress of the country again brought the subject them, and in 1814 a treaty of peace was drawn to the attention of Congress, and Mr. CLAY up under his direction, by the terms of which again brought forward, as a measure of relief, that wretched people was subjected to con- his system of Protection. He rested his arguditions more odious and oppressive than human, ment upon experience, and showed by clean, to say nothing of savage, nature could en-arithmetical demonstration, that the wealth of dure. The treaty was never signed by the every nation was in exact proportion to the de chiefs of more than one-third of the nation, gree in which she protected her Home Industry. and it is not surprising that the others should He traced the operation of the system in every evince their determination not to abide by its nation where it had been adopted, and exposed provisions, by occasional acts of hostility. the poverty and inglorious state of those where Gen. Jackson was again sent against them, and it had never been tried. He proved clearly signalized his campaign by the massacre of that by Protection the price of the protected Indian prisoners decoyed into his camp by a article was, in fact, reduced; that a Tariff flag of truce, by hanging, in violation of the would not diminish, but increase our exports decision of a Court constituted by himself, and by increasing the sources of our industry-the in defiance of the law of nations and of hu- wants of foreign nations remaining the same; manity, two Englishmen found guilty of tra- and demonstrated the necessity of the measure ding with the Seminoles,-by a spirit of more to the welfare of every great interest of the than savage fierceness and bloody disregard of nation. He fought the battle of Protection

against powerful men, both of the North and the during the debate on this topic that Mr. CLAY South; but his cause prevailed, and the whole became involved in the personal difficulty Nation became convinced of its truch and in- with Mr. RANDOLPH, which, in accordance herent justice by the high prosperity which with the universally prevalent temper and cuseverywhere followed its establishment. tom of the day, was settled by a duel. The question of the admission of Missouri Earnest as was Mr. CLAY's desire to devote into the Union, which arose in 1818, threatened himself now to the duties of his profession, at the most serious danger to the land. A condi- the close of the Session of 1819-20, he found tion of her admission had been brought for- it impossible to resist the importunity which ward in the House, providing for the extinc- urged him to continue in public life. In 1821 tion of slavery within her border; and this certain land claims came into dispute between most inflammatory subject, thus introduced the States of Virginia and Kentucky; and Mr. into, the discussions of Congress, threatened CLAY was appointed on the part of the latter, the peace and even the safety of the country. in conjunction with other gentlemen of well Mr. CLAY at once opposed the condition, on known worth and ability, to procure an equitathe ground that the Federal Government had ble settlement. This concluded, he was in nothing to do with the question-which was 1823 again persuaded, though against his wishexclusively within the jurisdiction of the State. es, to accept a seat in Congress, and he was Still it was insisted upon, and the motion for again, on taking his seat, elected Speaker by admission defeated. The discussion was then a large majority over Hon. P. P. BARBOUR of transferred from Congress to the People; and Virginia, a gentleman of great popularity, amwas conducted with a bitterness and a violence ply justified by commanding talents and perrarely equalled. The debate was renewed at sonal worth. It was at this Session that the the Session of 1819, and it was then found that subject of Grecian Independence came up for in the Senate there was a majority against the discussion in the House. The whole land had restriction, and in the House for it. A com-been aroused by the heart-stirring appeals for promise was finally agreed upon, by which it aid and sympathy, made by the descendants was provided that Missouri might form a of the ancient heroes then battling with the State Government and adopt a Constitution, Turk in defence of their rights and their liberwhich must not be repugnant to that of the ties; and in January, Mr. WEBSTER presented United States. Still, she could not be admit- a resolution providing for the recognition of ted into the Union without another vote of Grecian Independence. To the mighty logic Congress. A Constitution was adopted, in of the mover of the resolution, Mr. CLAY which it was made the duty of the Assembly brought the aid of his trumpet-toned eloquence, to make some laws to prevent free negroes and, in the same spirit which had animated from entering the State. This furnished the his efforts in behalf of South American Indeoccasion for another long and angry struggle, pendence, he urged the cause, depicted the pending which Mr. CLAY resigned his seat in sufferings, and pressed the claims of those Congress. He returned, however, just before struggling for that freedom which seemed their the close of the debate, and, as Chairman of a birthright, in the distant islands of the Ægean Committee appointed for that purpose, report- Sea. The appeals of both these great men ed a bill for the admission of Missouri, leav-were manly and powerful; but they failed, and ing the main question in dispute to be decided the resolution was lost.

by the legal tribunals of the State. It was We come now to a portion of Mr. CLAY'S defeated after an angry debate, and on motion life which, though of quite inferior moment in of Mr. CLAY, a Committee of twenty-three was itself, has acquired great importance to him appointed, himself at its head, to confer with personally and to his friends, from the misrep a Committee from the Senate. The Joint resentation to which it has been subjected, Committee reported a resolution not essential- and the consequent odium it for a long time ly differing from that of Mr. CLAY, It was brought upon his name. It has been said that adopted: Missouri was admitted into the Un- the good deeds of a public servant soon pass ion, and thus this vexed question, which, but into forgetfulness, while the slightest error of for the efforts of Mr. CLAY, would without judgment, or the least caprice of untoward for. doubt have plunged the country into new and tune, is cherished to his prejudice, and made untried dangers, was amicably settled. It was to outweigh years of usefulness and well-de

mies.

serving. Pity tis, there is too much reason| JOHN H. EATON wrote the letter, and that he for the assertion of this general truth: and no had no charge whatever to make against Mr. portion of any man's history furnishes proof Clay. This last acknowledgment he repeated more directly in point than that of Mr. CLAY, to several others, as they have certified. He which now comes under our notice. Posterity even wrote a note of apology and explanation will with difficulty believe that an enlightened to Mr. CLAY, which was submitted to him as nation, who know how to estimate the merit the substance of a statement Mr. KREMER was of their public servants, should for so long a willing to make to the House. Mr. CLAY retime have punished by their displeasure what plied that the matter was in the control of the was made a fault only by the wilful and wick-House, and he could not interfere. Mr. INGed slanders of bitter personal and political ene- HAM, from Pennsylvania, Secretary of the Treasury under Gen. JACKSON, got possession For the succession to the Presidency in 1825, of this note-pocketed it, and earnestly cauas early as 1822, Messrs. JOHN Q. ADAMS, tioned Mr. KREMER to make no explanation of HENRY CLAY, ANDREW JACKSON, WILLIAM the kind. Mr. K., however, told Mr. COOKE H. CRAWFORD, and JOHN C. CALHOUN, had of Illinois that he should offer to Mr. CLAY an been named, and in the interim the canvass apology; upon which, Mr. Cooke moved an had been conducted with great and enthusias- adjournment, and Mr. KREMER was disciplined tic earnestness. By a party finesse in the Le- and forced to perform his part in the mockery gislature of Louisiana, Mr. CLAY's name was that was played. The next day a Committee excluded from the number of those returned to of seven Members, each one a political opponent the House-since no one was elected by the of Mr. Clay, was appointed, and took the matPeople. The three candidates returned were ter into their hands. They soon made their Gen. JACKSON, having 99 votes, Mr. ADAMS, report, to the effect that Mr. KREMER declined with 84, and Mr. CRAWFORD, having 41. Mr. to give his testimony, as the case was one CLAY, being a Member of the House, was, of over which the House had no control! Thus course, called upon to declare by his vote his was the matter dropped. The election went preference among the three. He was beset by into the House, and it so happened that Mr. the friends of each; and no measure was left CLAY's vote, with those he would influence, untried to influence his decision. He made no would decide the question. Mr. Crawford public declaration of his preference, though was, with him, out of the question, for he was his intimate personal friends were well in- so enfeebled by disease that he could by no formed of it at an early day. But his reserve possibility discharge the duties of the office. seemed suspicious to suspicious minds; and For Ger.. JACKSON he could not vote, after his finding that they could not flatter him into animadversions on his conduct in the Seminole their support, the friends of one of the candi- war, and with the estimate which he put upon dates, Gen. Jackson, changed their plan, and his abilities as a civilian. General JACKSON commenced a systematic attack upon him by never expected his vote, and one of his most a well concerted scheme to operate at once prominent friends had said that if Mr. CLAY in every part of the country. As part of the should vote for the General, it would be an act plot, a letter was published in Philadelphia, of duplicity. His vote was given for Mr. ADpurporting to be from a Member of Congress AMS, who was thus elected. The Secretaryfrom Pennsylvania, dated at Washington, and ship of State was offered to Mr. CLAY, who declaring that Mr. CLAY had agreed to support was in fact the only man whose name had ever Mr. ADAMS, on condition that he should re-been mentioned in connection with it; and it ceive the post of Secretary of State. He in- was accepted. This gave occasion for the restantly published a card denying it, and call-newal of the cry of coalition, which was rening upon the author of the letter to avow him-dered still more effective and plausible by a self. Mr. GEORGE KREMER, of Pennsylvania, statement made by Mr. CARTER BEVERLEY, of answered the card, and promised to make good the substance of a private conversation to his allegations. In the House, Mr. CLAY which he was privy, in which, in effect, he asked a Committee of Investigation. But at said the bribe had been distinctly offered and this point Mr. KREMER's conscience was ill at accepted. Few of our readers need to be reHe acknowledged to Mr. CROWNING-minded that within the year and a half last SHIELD, a Member from Massachusetts, that past, Mr. CARTER BEVERLEY has, over his

ease.

own name, acknowledged his declaration to national welfare. The interests of American have been entirely destitute of truth, and of any Commerce were also with him the object of foundation whatever. Gen. JACKSON himself special care. He sought especially to estabdescended to say publicly, that the friends of lish perfect reciprocity in all the commercial Mr. CLAY had made overtures to him for the regulations between the United States and forconsummation of a similar bargain. Mr. CLAY eign nations, and though foiled in the endeav demanded through whom they were made. or, so far as Great Britain was concerned, he General JACKSON gave up the name of JAMES still manfully vindicated the principle, and BUCHANAN, one of his own friends; but this secured all its benefits from other nations. By gentleman hesitated not to contradict at once, the London treaty of 1815, it was agreed that and decisively, the statement thus sought to merchant vessels of the two nations should be be supported by an appeal to him. Mr. CLAY received into each other's ports on the ground made an appeal, in an eloquent pamphlet, to of entire equality; but they were allowed to his fellow-citizens apon this point, and show-import the productions only of their own land. ed, most conclusively, that the charge against Thus a British vessel could bring to the Unihim was founded solely in the base and shame-ted States only articles of British growth or less malignity of his political foes. manufacture, and vice versa: but these she For many years this circumstance in the could bring on the same terms as an American life of Mr. CLAY served as the ground of a vessel. Mr. CLAY sought to extend this prinparty clamor which, in the eyes of many, dim- ciple so as to allow the vessels of our nation med the fame of a Statesman whose whole life to import into the other goods or produce, had been most unselfishly devoted to the pub-without regard to its place of growth or manulic service. This prejudice has had its day;facture, on terms perfectly reciprocal; and and we hazard little in saying that there is not this was the basis of all the treaties concluded now a man of candor and honor in the land by Mr. CLAY between the United States and who will publicly acknowledge that he feels the South American Republics. Great Britno shame for ever having given credit, for a lain, however, refused to accede to it; and out moment, to so paltry a slander. of this refusal, connected with negotiations

The administration of Mr. ADAMS, which concerning the West India Trade, grew a mucommenced in March, 1825, though for years tual prohibition of all British and American the subject of vituperation and vague abuse, vessels from trading directly between the Unibegins to appear, as it will in the view of posted States and the West India ports of Great terity, the purest, ablest, and most patriotic, Britain.

since the earliest days of the Republic. Econ- In his official station, Mr. CLAY found a new omy in the expenditures of Government, toler-field for the exercise of that ardent spirit of ation of political opinion, and the maintenance Liberty which, while on the floor of Congress, of integrity and official purity, characterized had incited him to such splendid efforts in beit from its beginning to its close. The duties half of Grecian and South American Indepenof the Department of State were discharged by dence. Chiefly through his unremitted exerMr. CLAY with an ability and energy which tions, our Government had resolved to send a commanded the respect and admiration of the Minister to Greece, whose independence she world. His intercourse with Foreign Minis- was the first to acknowledge. This point ters, always dignified, frank, and liberal, im- gained, Mr. CLAY addressed a letter to Mr. pressed them with the highest esteem for him MIDDLETON, our Minister at Russia, dated May personally, as well as with the profoundest 10, 1825, urging the Emperor Alexander to use respect for the Government he so ably repre- his influence towards putting a stop to the war sented. During his continuance in office a between Spain and her South American Colo great number of treaties with foreign powers nies, as well as in behalf of the struggling were concluded-more, indeed, it is said, than Greeks. So skilfully did he address the weakall previously made since the adoption of the nesses of the Emperor, and with such irresist Constitution. In all of them may be traced ible force of argument and persuasion did he the effects of his devotion to the cause of urge the cause of the suffering and oppressed, American Industry, which, throughout his that, through the Emperor's interference, Spain whole public career, he regarded as the only acknowledged the independence of her rebelsure basis for high prosperity and permanent lious Colonies, and a series of measures was

adopted by which, after the death of Alexan-Senator of the United States from that State, der, the power of Turkey was shivered to his opponent being Col. R. M. JOHNSON, who atoms. In 1825, at the invitation of the South-had distinguished himself somewhat by his ern Republics, it was determined to send a bitter opposition to the Administration of Mr. deputation to a general Congress of American ADAMS, and his general approval of the prinNations, for the adoption of more definite ciples and policy which had elected President rules with regard to their mutual relations. JACKSON. The principle of PROTECTION, which The agents sent by this Government were Mr. CLAY had done so much to establish, and Messrs. JOHN SERGEANT and RICHARD C. AN-under the operation of which the whole country DERSON. The letter of instructions from Mr. was now at the height of its glory and industrial CLAY to these gentlemen, setting forth the prosperity, began to excite the hostility of the principles which were to govern their policy Southern section. It was a favorite dogma and their intercourse with the other contracting with Southern statesmen, that the duties levied parties, has repeatedly been cited as one of the upon English manufactured cotton stuffs tended ablest papers ever penned by any statesman of seriously to injure the production of that great any age. He forbade the idea that the Cop-staple at the South. They treated with convention was to possess any legislative power, tempt the proposed creation of a HOME MARdistinctly stating that nothing upon which they KET for their cotton, and began to regard the might agree should have any binding force American System, as it was most properly upon the United States until it should have called, as a blow direct aimed at Southern been ratified by Congress. He instructed them prosperity. In the debate which ensued upon carefully to abstain from all discussions con- the revision of the Tariff, all these sectional cerning the war between Spain and the Southern jealousies were sedulously inflamed, and a Republics; to seek to abolish war against pri- strong feeling was aroused throughout the vate property and non-combatants upon the country in favor of a policy known only, on ocean, thus rendering the private possessions the face of the earth, as an abstraction under of an enemy at sea subject to the same humane the name of Free Trade. A strong party was regulations as those upon land; and to press formed, headed by Southern men, whose faupon the Southern Republics the propriety of vorite project was the throwing open all our establishing the most perfect and free tolera-ports to the goods of foreign nations—imposing tion of religious opinion. Mr. CLAY thus con-only such, duties as might provide sufficient tinued to discharge the laborious duties of his revenue to defray the expenses of Government, bigh office during the administration of Mr. and regulating these without the slightest disADAMS. At its close, in 1829, he returned to crimination among the articles on which they his home, where he was received with marks were to be imposed. Mr. CLAY, in one of his of the most ardent esteem and admiration, and most celebrated speeches, exposed, with the was immediately importuned to allow himself clearness of sunlight, the absurdity of their to be a candidate for public office. He de- schemes. He proved beyond the possibility clined, however, a seat in the Kentucky Legis- of dispute that the freedom they upheld would lature, and in the House of Representatives at bring us at once to the basest and most abject Washington, both of which were pressed upon dependence upon foreign nations. Our duties his acceptance. He retired to private life, oc- once thrown off, and their products admitted casionally meeting his friends at complimen-free, we should be instantly at their mercy, tary festivals, where he always took occasion and might be impoverished or starved at their to thank them for the confidence they had discretion. Their policy, he made it perfectly reposed in him—to vindicate himself from the evident, would lead directly to a British Colocharges of unscrupulous political enemies, and nial bondage; our Country would speedily be to unfold the principles by which his whole drained of her gold and silver; her industry, in public career had been governed. In May, every department, would droop, and her high 1829, he thus attended a public dinner at Lex- and increasing prosperity would at once be ington, Kentucky; in March, 1830, another at crushed to the earth. Anxious, however, to Natchez, Mississippi; and in July, a third at heal the dissensions which he feared would Cincinnati, Ohio. endanger, in all its branches, the glorious

In the autumn of the year 1831, Mr. CLAY cause he had so long espoused, Mr. Clay diwas elected, by the Legislature of Kentucky, rected his efforts to a reconciliation of the op