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HENRY CLAY: THE GREAT COMPROMISER, PART II - Page 3

© John S. Cooper

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 charter of the Bank of the United States four years early, knowing Jackson would veto it, which Jackson did. This gave Clay the issue he thought he could use to defeat Jackson in the election of 1832. This would be Clay’s second attempt to win the White House, and his greatest loss.

In the next article, we will look at this election, and Clay’s remarkable career in Congress that lasted over forty years. We will also see his final try for the White House in 1844, which was the closest he ever came to winning. His career ended with his greatest achievement, another of his great compromises, which prevented civil war in 1850.

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