But in Mr.Adams he saw a man of the utmost purity and integrity of private character--a scholar of the ripest abilities--a statesman, a diplomatist, a patriot of unquestioned talents and of long experience,--one who had been entrusted with most important public interests by Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison and Monroe, and also had received from these illustrious men every mark of confidence--whose familiarity with the internal condition and foreign relations of the Union was unequalled by any public man! Between men so dissimilar in their qualifications, how could Mr.Clay, with the slightest regard to the welfare of the nation, the claims of patriotism, or the dictates of his conscience, hesitate to choose?
He did not hesitate.

With an intrepid determination to meet all consequences, he threw his influence in behalf of Mr.Adams, and secured his election.
This decisive step, as had been clearly foreseen, drew upon the head of Mr.Clay the severest censures of the supporters of Gen.Jackson.

Motives of the deepest political corruption were attributed to him.

They charged him with making a deliberate stipulation or "bargain" with Mr.Adams, to give his influence, on the understanding that he was to receive, in payment, the appointment to the state department.

The undoubted object of this charge was to ruin Mr.Clay's future prospects, and make capital to the advantage of Gen.