Lowndes, Calhoun, Clay, and Troup were little more than thirty years of age, and yet they became prominent leaders of their party, exercising a controlling influence over the public mind, and shaping the policy of the Government.  Crawford was the Mentor of this ardent band of lofty spirits—­stimulating and checking, as occasion might require, the energies and actions of his young compeers.  So conspicuous was he for talent, wisdom, and statesmanship, that he was proposed by the Republican party as a proper person to succeed Mr. Madison; and nothing prevented his receiving the nomination of that party but his refusal to oppose Mr. Monroe.  His magnanimity was his misfortune.  Had he been nominated, he would have been elected without opposition.  The golden opportunity returned no more.  He had succeeded Chancellor Livingston as minister to France, and of these two, Napoleon said “the United States had sent him two plenipotentiaries—­the first was deaf, the latter dumb.”  Livingston was quite deaf, and Crawford could not speak French.  At the court of Versailles, he served faithfully and efficiently the interests of his country, and returned with increased popularity.  He filled, under Mr. Monroe, the office of Secretary of War for a short time, and then was transferred to the Secretaryship of the Treasury.

In the Cabinet of Mr. Monroe there were three aspirants for the Presidency:  Adams, Crawford, and Calhoun.  Between Crawford and Calhoun a feud arose, which was mainly the cause of Mr. Calhoun’s name being withdrawn as a candidate, and the substitution of that of General Jackson.  Crawford was one of the three highest returned to the House, and from whom a choice was to be made.

Some twelve months anterior to the election he was stricken with paralysis; and both body and mind so much affected that his friends felt that it would be improper to elect him.  Nevertheless he continued a candidate until Mr. Adams was chosen.

Mr. Clay had been voted for as a fourth candidate, but not receiving electoral votes enough, failed to be returned to the House.  Being at the time a member of the House of Representatives, it was supposed he held the control of the Western vote; and consequently the power to elect whom he pleased.  Mr. Clay was a great admirer of Mr. Crawford, though their intimacy had been somewhat interrupted by a personal difficulty between Mr. Randolph and Mr. Clay.  Mr. Randolph being an especial friend and constant visitor at Mr. Crawford’s, it would have been unpleasant to both parties to meet at his house.

Only a few years anterior to Mr. Clay’s death, and when he was visiting New Orleans, the writer had frequent interviews with him, and learned that he preferred Mr. Crawford to either Adams or Jackson; and was only prevented voting for him by the prostration and hopeless condition of his health.