Delaware Patriot & American Watchman

If Gen. Metcalfe should not know what he himself meant, when he stated to Mr. Hitt "we stand uncommitted, and we must know something about how the Cabinet is to be filled," perhaps we can assist him, by calling to his recollection some of his subsequent declarations. In the spring of 1825 the General met with Mr. John Desha, (a plain and honest farmer of Nicholas county,) at Carlisle—when the following dialogue ensued:

Desha.—Well General you have made us a President.
Metcalfe.—Yes.
Desha.—Do you think the people of Kentucky will be pleased with your vote?
Metcalfe.—I think they will when they hear my reasons.
Desha.—What are your reasons, sir?
Metcalfe.—Why, we could not possibly get Mr. Clay in the cabinet without voting for and electing Mr. Adams."

Now, we would thank Gen. Metcalfe to state, as he is here, on the spot, whether Gen. Metcalfe's declaration to Mr. John Desha, does not explain Gen. Metcalfe's declaration to Mr. Hitt? To Mr. Hitt he said, at Washington, "we must know something about how the cabinet is to be filled"—to Mr. Desha, in Kentucky, he said "we could not possibly get Mr. Clay in the cabinet without voting for and electing Mr. Adams." We take it as granted, that the statements of Messrs. Desha and Hitt are true—that Gen. Metcalfe will not say they are untrue—and we therefore call upon him to state, (if they do not prove the bargain,) whether they do not establish the fact, that it was understood, "that Mr. Clay would be Secretary, should Mr. Adams be elected President?"

Louisville Adv.