The Nevada Journal

A Correction.—A paragraph is going the round of the newspapers, stating that the answer of General Lafayette to the address which, as Speaker of the House of Representatives, I made to him upon the occasion of his last visit to this country, was prepared by me, though pronounced by him. This is a mistake, which, in justice both to his memory and to myself, ought to be corrected. It was composed by himself, as the style abundantly shows On the morning of his reception by the House of Representatives, he breakfasted with me alone, and I stated or read to him the address which I intended to make him on that day. The expression occurs in it, that he was in the midst of posterity. On reading which, I remarked to him that it would afford him a fine opportunity to pay us a handsome compliment, by saying—No, and that he found himself surrounded by the same patriotic men, attached to liberty, devoted to free institutions, and with all the high attributes which distinguished his Revolutionary compatriots. The General seemed pleased with the idea, adopted it, and incorporated it in his answer. This trivial incident could have been the only foundation of the paragraph.

H. CLAY.

Washington, Feb. 20.