“Do you not press the subject of Bonaparte too far? Fallen and captive, has he not some claim upon the magnanimity not only of his conquerors, but, during his imprisonment, upon cotemporary authors also? England has shown him none. All posterity will, I think, condemn her surrender of him to the allies, and her concurrence in his exile to St. Helena. Chatham, or Fox, or even Pitt, would have permitted him, as he desired, to remain in England. Is it not to be apprehended that any animadversions upon him, at the present time, will indirectly conduce to sanction the principles of legitimacy and the conduct of the allies?
“I ought to apologize for the unintended length of my letter. I do not often turn over the first side of the paper, and can only say that my having offended, in this instance, has proceeded from the respect and consideration in which you are held by
“Yours, faithfully and cordially,
“H. CLAY.
“R. WALSH, JR., ESQ.”
[CONFIDENTIAL.]
“WASHINGTON, 18th Feb. ’25.
“DEAR SIR: I thank you for your prompt attention to the paragraph which I sent you, and for your friendly letter.
“You did not like my Kremer Card. I was not surprised, but hear me. I was assailed from all quarters. The cannon of every man who would now, or four or eight years hence, be President, (except that of Mr. A.,) was directed against me. I heard it all, and saw every movement. I should have disregarded it, whilst the attack assumed the ordinary form of anonymous or even editorial commentary. But when a person was so far designated as to be elected to be a member of the H. of R. belonging to the Pennsylvania delegation, it assumed a tangible shape. A crisis arose in my poor affairs. Silence and criminality would have been the same. And it seemed to me that I was called upon to take a step even of apparent rashness. I ought to have omitted the last sentence in the Card; but as to the rest, I yet approve of it. And still the reason, the philosophy, the religion of no man more decidedly condemns duelling than, I hope I may say, mine does. The corrective of that pernicious practice must be found in communities, not in individuals, at least in such humble ones as I am. When the public shall cease to stamp with dishonor the man who tamely submits to injurious imputations, duels will cease. I hope the sequel of that affair was more satisfactory to the northern public.