Washington, August 22, 1825.
Dear Crittenden,
— Upon my arrival here, yesterday, I found your agreeable favor of the 7th
instant. Although it is a moment of severe affliction with me, I cannot refuse
myself the satisfaction of addressing a line to you. I rejoice most heartily in
the event of our elections. I rejoice in your election, to which I
attach the greatest importance. I rejoice that the vile and disgusting means
employed to defeat you have failed, as they ought to have failed. Your presence
in the House will be highly necessary. The pruning-knife should be
applied with a considerate and steady hand. The majority should dismiss from
their minds all vindictive feelings, and act for the good and the honor of
Kentucky, and for the preservation of her constitution. You will have some
trouble in preserving the proper temper, but you should do it; nothing should
be done from passion or in passion. Undoubtedly restore the
constitutional judges, repeal bad laws, but preserve good ones, even if they
have been passed by the late dominant party. When you have the power of
appointment, put in good and faithful men, but make no stretches of
authority even to get rid of bad ones. Such would be some of my rules
if I were a member of the G. Assembly. I hope we shall preserve the public
peace with Georgia, notwithstanding the bad humor of her governor. Nor
do we intend that the treaty with the Creeks shall be executed before the time
fixed by its own stipulations for its execution, which, happily, will
again bring that instrument in review before Congress.
Your faithful friend,
Henry Clay.
Respects and congratulations to Harvie.
SOURCE: Mrs. Chapman Coleman, The Life of John J.
Crittenden, Volume 1, p. 62
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