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voted for FIVE years at an election, nor do know
that shall vote for the next five years to come.
Engaged in an anxious and ardent effort to pay
my debts by tiliing the soil on the banks OF this
rver-the sunny accvity public honors has no
attractions for me- seek the valley, and prefer
the shade There was a time when might have
cherished other aspirations, but that time has
gone for ever Retired, therefore, from the con-
test of parties. I think my very position makes me
a witness beyond exception. But still my
opinions may be OF very little value-such as
they are, you arc entitled to them.


believe Mr.. Clay's election is about as pro-
bable as any human event, in futurity, can well
be- a vista Of renown will be opened to him,
which has awaited the administration Of no pre-
vious President, since that OF the Father of our
country Ii he is able, by his commanding IN
luencc to arrest in Congress the porentious ag-
taton of the slave question, and TO fix the Tariff
firmly on the basis of the principles Of his 0l1n
compromise. he WILL IN saving his country, have
rcaped his own harvest, abundant and fructify-
ing, now and forever. | know no man who has
more Of the instrumental means to perform this
high function than himself.


| believe, in the splendor OF yet unclouded
genius, his ambition will be on a level with the
august position he is likely to occupy. God
grant that it may be so!


That man must have a limited sight, and strong
nerves, who does not see, seeing does not feel,
that the country has to pass through valley en-
cornpassed with clouds and darkness. The crisis
requires gifted sagacity, and the highest moral
couragc NJ. Clay has these qualities, in de-
gree conferred on few men. In making these re-
marks:II beg you not to consider one OF them as
intended in dlsparagement OF the gentleman who
is considered as hitherto, opposition to Mr.. Cal
houn in the ranks Of the same party to which they
are both said to belong.


For Mr.. Van Buren, / cherish feelings of kind
ness and esteem, which should be insensible to
both his merits and his uniform friendship, if |
did not both entertain and express. IT, at any
time, | have ever appeared TO occupy an antago-
mist position to this gentleman, it has been rather
to the measures Of his party. than hmsef-mca-
surcs which derived their authority from the po-
tent influence of CHEF, the rcpose Of whose de-
clining wears | would not no,c disturb, if | could
Let the rays OF his glory gathered together on the
banks of the river | am soon destined to visit
settle with collected majesty, eternal and cndur-
ing on his fame.


You may well ask, if entertain these feelings
towards most OF our public men, TO whom | am
opposed | answer, no one. The embers OF party
spirit are extingulshed in my bosom, after having
felt, as ntenselya as most men, their burning heat.
| am sensible, with one of the most eloquent and
philosophical Of statesmen, Of the truth of the re-
mark that :' Old factions arc volcanoes burnt out;
from their ashes the fruitful olive and vine take
root" feel that by these exhausted craters
can plant few of those charities which induce
us to look with indulgence on the opinions of
others, and with a less ovcrwecning confidence in
our own. Although have not felt it worth my
while, or any bodys while, TO define my position,
and to determine whether am a Democrat or
Whig-(for on certain points | have differed
and agreed with both parties)-ye:, [ cannot
but feel and express my strong regard for the
Wings of Georgia, who, at a time when South
Carolina needed friends, were nearly all nulllfiers
to man, and prepared to back US to the death"
therefore, am little disposed to quarrel with
them now, if they happen to have made up their
minds to support an individual for the Presidency
who was mainly instrumental in the only sub
stantia reduction of the Tariff which has ever
been effected, on any recognised prlnci pie Of
public security; who has stood forth on two oc-
casions as the great and successful mediator Of
the perous stlilcs Of this conederacy, and who,
to brilliant courage and surprising genius, unites
the most attractive social qualities. l may have
had my preference, my dear strand they are en-.
titled to theirs, which they are quite likely to
make far more etfectual than my own, by tri-
umph decisive and overwhelming.


Pardon this long, rambling letter. which is at
your disposal to use as you please. Retain but
the assurance of the great esteem with which l
am,


Faithfully and respectfully


Your friend and otedlent servant.


j. ILL y.