The charge of “bargain and corruption,” alleged against Mr. Adams and Mr. Clay, was also used as an effective weapon against the former, in the suceeeding presidential canvass.  Notwithstanding the charge had been promptly and emphatically denied by the parties implicated, and proof in its support fearlessly challenged—­notwithstanding every attempt at evidence to fix it upon them had most signally failed, and involved those engaged therein in utter confusion of face—­yet so often and so boldly was the charge repeated by designing men, so generally and continually was it reiterated by a venal press from one end of the Union to the other, that a majority of the people was driven into its belief, and the fate of Mr. Adams’s administration was sealed against him.  Subsequent developments have shown, that, in the annals of political warfare, there never was a charge uttered against eminent public men, so thoroughly destitute of the shadow of truth as this.  But it answered the immediate ends of its authors.  Posterity will do ample justice to all the parties in this transaction.

Another event which operated seriously to the disadvantage of Mr. Adams, was the amalgamation of the strong Crawford party with the supporters of Gen. Jackson.  This combination threw obstacles in the way of the administration which were insurmountable.  It enabled the opposition to send a majority of members to the twentieth Congress, both in the Senate and the House of Representatives.  The test of the strength of parties in the House took place on the election of Speaker.  Andrew Stevenson, of Virginia, was elected on the first ballot, by a majority of ten votes over John W. Taylor, the administration candidate.  Mr. Stevenson was a supporter of Mr. Crawford in 1824.  His election to the Speaker’s chair clearly indicated the union of the different sections of the opposition, and foreshadowed too evidently the overthrow of the administration of Mr. Adams.

In this state of things, with a majority of Congress against him, the President was deprived of the opportunity of carrying into execution many important measures which were highly calculated to promote the permanent benefit of the country, and which could not have failed to receive the approbation of the people.  A majority of all the committees of both Houses were against him; and for the first time an administration was found without adequate strength in Congress to support its measures.  In several instances the reports of committees partook of a strong partisan character, in violation of all rules of propriety and correct legislation.