Washington Sentinel

Mr. Clay Speaks-Hear Him.

We find in the Lexington Observer and Reporter, a letter copied from the Kentucky Statesman, which we publish with great satisfaction. It is from James B. Clay, a son of Henry Clay, the great American statesman, whom all men delight to honor.

This letter is the best refutation that could be made of the stale slanders now attempted to be revived by a venal partisan press, relative to the unfounded charges against Mr. Buchanan—charges denied by Henry Clay himself, by his biographer, and now by the public generally. The high personal regard which these distinguished statesmen ever entertained for each other, also effectually disproves these malicious fabrications.

Mr. Clay, in announcing his determination to vote for Buchanan, assumes a position which is alike honorable to himself and the powerful party of which his honored father was the acknowledged leader.

From the Kentucky Statesman.

Mr. Editor: I desire, through your courtesy, to correct a statement made in the Statesman on the 4th inst., which does great injustice to two of my friends, and political brothers, the Hon. Joshua F. Bell, of Boyle, and the Hon. Wm. B. Kinkead, of Kenton, and which moreover is untrue. The article to which I refer states "that resolutions expressing the confidence of the Whigs of Kentucky in Mr. Fillmore, and saying he was worthy of their support as in 1848, were rejected by the votes of sixteen counties to one, in the State Convention held at Louisville, on the 3d, inst., and that Mr. Bell and Kinkead advocated them."

It is undeniably true that such resolutions were offered in the Convention by Col. Hopkins, of Henderson, and it is also true that they were laid upon the table by a vote of sixteen counties to one. But it is not true that either Mr. Bell or Mr. Kinkead voted for them; on the contrary both gentlemen opposed them, as I have reason to believe they would have done resolutions to endorse any one but a true old line Whig for the office of President. It was, also, at the express desire and request of Mr. Kinkead that Mr. Adams withdrew his motion, to the effect "that the Whigs of Kentucky have undiminished confidence in Millard Fillmore." It is, however, but candid to say, that every member of the Convention understood that Mr. Bell and Judge Kinkead preferred Mr. Fillmore to either Mr. Buchanan or Mr. Fremont; neither of them made any attempt to do so gross and unjust a thing, as to commit an old line Whig Convention to the endorsement of anybody but a Whig.

There is also a statement copied into the Observer and Reporter of the 5th instant, "that I had been heard to say, that I was not for Buchanan," I may have said that Mr. Buchanan was not my candidate, or was not my choice for the Presidency; but I have not said that I should not vote for him. I prefer Mr. Fillmore personally, and if he stood on the same principles he did in 1850 I would vote for him in preference to any man I know. But I expect to cast my vote for that candidate who in my opinion may have the best chance to defeat the candidate of the Black Republican party, and, at present advised, I think Mr. Buchanan has the best chance to do so. I wish it, nevertheless, to be distinctly understood, that if I shall think it my duty to vote for Mr. Buchanan I shall vote as an old line Whig, making a choice of what he believes to be evils, for the good of the country; and that whenever the Whig standard shall again be raised, adhering always to the principles which I have been instrumental in asserting at Lexington, and at Louisville on the 3d July, I shall be ready, fairly, honestly and fearlessly to battle against those principles and practices of the Democratic party which conflict with our own views.

I feel sure, Mr. Editor, that your readers will not do me the injustice to attribute to me too great a desire to force myself before their notice, in venturing to correct misrepresentations affecting my friends and myself, however well I may know the little importance that may be attached to any opinions of mine. I hope the Observer and Reporter will also do me the favor, as well as justice, to copy this letter.

I am sir, respectfully, &c. your obedient servant,
JAMES B. CLAY.

ASHLAND, July 8, 1856.