Frankfort, September 3, 1827.
My Dear Sir,—I
have received your letter of the 23d of July last, and cannot hesitate to give
you the statement you have requested. Some time in the fall of 1824, conversing
upon the subject of the then pending presidential election, and speaking
in reference to your exclusion from the contest, and to your being called upon
to decide and vote between the other candidates who might be returned to the
House of Representatives, you declared that you could not, or that it
was impossible, for you to vote for General Jackson in any event. This contains
the substance of what you said. My impression is, that this conversation took
place not long before you went on to Congress, and your declaration was
elicited by some intimation that fell from me of my preference for General Jackson
over all other candidates except yourself. I will only add, sir, that I have
casually learned from my friend Colonel James Davidson, our State treasurer,
that you conversed with him about the same time on the same subject, and made
in substance the same declaration. Notwithstanding the reluctance I feel at
having my humble name dragged before the public, I could not in justice refuse
you this statement of facts, with permission to use it as you may think proper
for the purpose of your own vindication.
I have the honor to
be, yours, etc.,
J. J. Crittenden.
Hon. Henry Clay,
Secretary of State.
SOURCES: Mrs. Chapman Coleman, The Life of John J.
Crittenden, Volume 1, p. 66
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