HENRY CLAY: THE GREAT COMPROMISER, PART II

the House was to meet and decide who would occupy the “Presidential chair,” Clay attended a dinner party given in honor of Marquis de Lafayette. Jackson and Adams were also present. Clay, according to another Congressman, “was in fine spirits and amused himself a little at the expense of the rivals.” Adams and Jackson were sitting next to each other near the fireplace with “a vacant chair intervening.” Clay walked over to them and sat down in the chair in between them, and “in his inimitably impudent significant manner” loudly stated “Well, gentlemen, since you are both so near the chair, but neither can occupy it, I will step in between you, and take it myself.” Everyone in the room laughed, but Adams and Jackson did not seem to find the joke funny.

Clay had much more in common with Adams, both personally and politically, than with Jackson. Although some of Clay’s supporters met with Adams to discuss the possibility of Clay receiving a high office under Adams, there is no proof that Clay was directly involved, or that any specific deal was made. Clay preferred Adams, and had already had several serious disagreements with Jackson. Clay also opposed military men seeking high political office. Clay threw his support and influence to Adams, and Adams was elected President.

Adams offered Clay the position of Secretary of State, and Clay accepted. This was a serious mistake on Clay’s part. Jackson’s followers charged Adams and Clay with having made a “corrupt bargain.” This charge followed both men for the rest of their careers, and Clay spent much time and energy trying to refute the charge. (It was during this period that Congressman Randolph called Clay a “blackleg” and the duel described in Part I occurred.) Clay made no significant contributions as Secretary of State, and did not enjoy the office. He did not like the duties, which were mainly administrative. He did get along well with President Adams, and the two men agreed on most issues. He supported Adams for re-election in 1828, but Adams lost and Clay returned to Kentucky.

After two years, a vacancy allowed Clay to return to the U.S. Senate. He became a leader of the group opposing President Jackson. The most important issue where Clay disagreed with the President was the Bank of the United States. Clay favored the Bank and Jackson did not. Clay engineered a bill that would renew the

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