the following morsel of bitterness, in allusion to the story of bargain and corruption:  “This, until now, unheard-of combination of the black-leg with the Puritan; this union of Luck George with Blifell,” (an allusion from Fielding’s novel of “Tom Jones.”) Language could not have been made more offensive.  But the fruitful imagination of Randolph was not exhausted, and he proceeded with denunciation which spared not the venerable mother of Mr. Clay, then living—­denouncing her for bringing into the world “this being, so brilliant, yet so corrupt, which, like a rotten mackerel by moonlight, shined and stunk.”

This drew from Mr. Clay a challenge, and a meeting was the consequence.  There was no injury sustained by either party in this conflict, the full particulars of which may be found in Benton’s “Thirty Years in the Senate;” and I have Mr. Clay’s authority for saying that this account is strictly correct.

In General Jackson’s letter to Carter Beverly, he states that Buchanan came to him and stated that the friends of Mr. Adams had made overtures to Mr. Clay, to the effect that, if Mr. Clay would with his friends support Mr. Adams, and he should be elected, then he would appoint Clay to the position of Secretary of State; and that Buchanan recommended Jackson to intrigue against this intrigue.

Buchanan denied the statement in toto.  Beverly wrote a letter, in 1841, admitting the falsehood of a former letter of his; and again, another to Mr. Clay, in 1844 or 1845, asking Clay’s forgiveness for the part he had acted in the matter.

CHAPTER V.

GEORGIA’S NOBLE SONS.

A MINISTER OF A DAY—­PURITY OF ADMINISTRATION—­THEN AND NOW—­WIDOW TIMBERLAKE—­VAN BUREN’S LETTER—­AMBRISTER AND ARBUTHNOT—­OLD HICKORY SETTLES A DIFFICULTY—­A CAUSE OF THE LATE WAR—­HONORED DEAD.

Immediately upon the inauguration of Mr. Adams, Mr. Crawford left Washington, and returned home.  His residence was near Lexington, Georgia, upon a small farm.  It was an unostentatious home, but comfortable, and without pretensions superior to those of his more humble neighbors.  Mr. Crawford had held many positions in the service of the country, and had honestly and ably discharged the duties of these for the public good.  As a senator in Congress, he won the confidence of the nation by the display of great abilities; and gave universal satisfaction of the pure patriotism of his heart, in all he said, or did.  He was distinguished, as minister to France, for his open candor and simplicity of manners—­so much so, as to cause Napoleon to remark of him “that no Government but a republic could create or foster so much truth and honest simplicity of character as he found in Mr. Crawford.”