Page:Life of Henry Clay (Schurz; v. 1).djvu/342

330 and to perform the duties of that office until Governor Van Buren arrives in this city. Your obedient servant, Andrew Jackson.” A strange proceeding! Colonel Hamilton's account of what then took place is characteristic: “He (General Jackson) said, ‘Colonel, you don't care to see me inaugurated?’ ‘Yes, General, I do; I came here for that purpose.’ ‘No; go to the State House, and as soon as you hear the gun fired, I am President and you are Secretary. Go and take charge of the department.’ I do not state the reason he gave for this haste.” Colonel Hamilton did as directed, and the moment the gun was fired, the danger that Clay might still exercise any influence in the State Department was averted from the country. The removal of Clay's friends, who were in the public service, began at once.

Three days after Jackson's inauguration Clay addressed his friends at a dinner given in his honor by citizens of Washington. He deplored the election to the presidency of a military hero, entirely devoid of the elements of fitness for so difficult a civil position. He beheld in it “an awful foreboding of the fate which, at some future day, was to befall this infant Republic.” He recounted the military usurpations which had recently taken place in South and Central America, and said: “The thunders from the surrounding forts and the acclamations of the multitude on the Fourth, told us what general was at the head of our affairs.” And he added, sadly: “A majority of my