University of Virginia Library

TO HENRY CLAY.

Confidential

Dear Sir I have duly recd yours of the 17th.
Altho' you kindly release me from a reply, it may
be proper to say, that some of the circumstances to
which you refer were not before known to me.

On the great question before Congs. on the decision
of wch. so much depends out of Congs. I ought the less
to obtrude an opinion as its merits essentially depend
on many details which I have never investigated
and of which I am an incompetent Judge. I know
only that the Tariff in its present amount & form,
is a source of deep & extensive discontent, and I fear

that without alleviations separating the more moderate
from the more violent opponents, very serious effects
are threatened. Of these the most formidable
& not the least probable wd. be a Southern Convention;
the avowed object of some, and the unavowed
object of others, whose views are, perhaps, still
more to be dreaded. The disastrous consequences
of disunion, obvious to all will no doubt be a powerful
check, on its partisans; but such a Convention,
characterized as it wd. be by selected talents, ardent
zeal & the confidence of those represented wd not
be easily stopped in its career; especially as many of
its members, tho' not carrying with them particular
aspirations for the honors, &c &c presented to ambition
on a new political theatre, would find them
germinating in such a hotbed.

To these painful ideas I can only oppose hopes
& wishes that notwithstanding, the wide space &
warm feelings which divide the parties, some accommodating
arrangements may be devised that will
prove an immediate anodyne, and involve a lasting
remedy to the Tariff discords.

Mrs. M. charges me with her affece. remembrances
to Mrs. Clay, to whom I beg to be at the same time
respectfully presented, with reassurances to yrself,
of my high esteem & cordial regards.