SC1896_FF1_160

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Majority of the whole number of Electors - consequently
the House of Rep. voting by states had to choose the President
from the three highest (Jackson, Adams,
& Crawford). Mr. Adams was elected on the first
balloting. Genl. Jackson was probably the first
choice of Kentucky. The Legislature adopted
a Resolution, requesting those Representatives
in Congress to vote for him. Mr. Clay being out
of the way - A majority however, with Mr. Clay,
voted for Mr. Adams. It was understood at
Washington, some time before the election came
on, that Mr. Clay, would probably throw his
vote, and his great personal influence into
the Adams scales, giving it thereby the ascendancy.
This gave rise to the celebrated "George
Kresner" letter, that is to say, a letter addressed
to some person, or the Editor of some newspaper
in Pennsylvania, written in all probability
by some prominent Jackson man (supposed
at the time, to be Maj. John H Eaton, then
a Senator in Congress from Tennessee charging
Mr. Adams & Mr. Clay, with having made a
"corrupt bargain," that Mr. C. was to vote for
& have Mr. A. elected Pres. & & Mr. H. in return
was to appoint Mr. C Secretary of State. The
charge at the time against two such men
produced great excitement and after Mr.
C. was appointed Secretary of State, was greatly
believed to be true, & has ever since been
a great drawback upon him Mr. Clay. I then
resided in Washington Kenty. in Mr. Clay's
district & have the very best reasons to know
that his Constituents, the request of the Legislature
to the contrary notwithstanding