30 April 1844
adams-john10 Neal Millikan Corrupt Bargain Elections, Presidential 1844
311 Washington Tuesday 30. April 1844.

30. V. Tuesday

Clay Henry. Clay John Quincy Josiah junr. Hulzemann Chevalier Barnard Daniel D. Bayard Bradley William A Coxe Richard S Crittenden Crowninshield Evans George Fox Gales Joseph Henderson Ingersoll Joseph R Jesup Pageot Seaton William W.

Mr Henry Clay with his son, called yesterday at my house, and was received by my family, but I was not at home— This morning I called with my son at Mr William A. Bradley’s, where he lodges, and saw him— He looks much weather beaten, and is very hoarse but in good health and Spirits— At the house, they went almost immediately into Committee of the whole on the state of the Union, upon the state of the Union tariff bill, Hopkins in the chair, Albert Smith of New-York, closed an hour speech against the bill, and was followed by Linn Boyd of Kentucky who after a few words in favour of the bill, turned off to his new vamped old slander of a corrupt bargain between Henry Clay and me, that, he should be appointed Secretary of State on condition that he and the Kentucky delegation should vote for me as President of the United States.— Boyd used up his hour in replying to John White’s hour speech in vindication of Mr Clay against these charges— This stale and base columny, already abandoned and recanted by those who first invented and imposed upon the credulity of their partizans these men are now blowing the coals up to kindle again into a flame to consume Clay’s election hopes and my honest fame— Boyd closed his speech with another attack upon Clay for his vote in favour of the Bankrupt act of 1842. Caleb B. Smith came next with a strong hour speech in favour of the tariff— Preston King of New-York, with a shorter one against it. George P. Marsh of Vermont and Benjamin A. Bidlack continued the debate with high and low powers till past 5. O’Clock, when the Committee rose— John White moved to adjourn over to Friday, but failed by yeas and nays 59 to 68— I walked home, and then went and dined with the Austrian Charge d’Affaires Mr Hülzemann— A dinner party given to Mr Clay. My Son dined with Mr Grinnell— Mr Josiah Quincy junr was on the floor of the house this morning.

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