WASHINGTON, February 15, 1848.
MY DEAR SIR, — I
received your letter of the 9th instant and I was gratified with the
proceedings in Bourbon, of which it gave a full account. I presume through
other channels you are advised of the state of public affairs here. I see no
prospect of peace at present. Upon my arrival here the strongest appeals have
been made to me to take no step withdrawing my name from among those from which
a selection is to be made of a candidate for the Presidency. I have been
assured that, if I did, it would lead to a prostration of the Whig
party, especially in the free States. Then they say that General Taylor can not
be supported in his present noncommittal position. Some doubt, if he were to
assume distinct Whig ground, whether he could obtain the Whig support. I have
suspended any definitive action.
Great surprise
exists here as to the hot haste of our Taylor friends in Kentucky. Why is it? I
am often asked, without being able to give any very satisfactory answer. What
will be the issue of the two Conventions in Frankfort next week? Nobody knows
here. After the long period of time during which I have had the happiness to
enjoy the friendship and confidence of that State, what have I done, it is
inquired, to lose it?
Those Conventions,
if they would act wisely, I think, would acquiesce in the National Convention
and leave their own delegates to act freely, according to all circumstances.
My suit has been
argued in the Supreme Court, and I shall leave this place next week for
Philadelphia, where some business takes me.
SOURCE: Calvin Colton, Editor, The Private Correspondence of Henry Clay, pp. 554-5
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