He was a tall, thin, careworn
old gentleman, with a martial bearing, carrying his hat in his
hand, and bowing his acknowledgments for the cheers with which he
was greeted by the citizens who lined the sidewalks. On reaching
the City Hall, the President-elect was formally addressed by the
Mayor, Colonel W. W. Seaton, of the _National Intelligencer_, who
supplemented his panegyric by a complimentary editorial article in
his newspaper of the next morning.

Before coming East General Harrison visited Henry Clay, at Ashland,
and tendered him the position of Secretary of State, which Mr. Clay
promptly declined, saying that he had fully determined not to hold
office under the new Administration, although he intended cordially
to support it. General Harrison thanked Mr. Clay for his frankness,
expressing deep regret that he could not accept the portfolio of
the Department of State. He further said that if Mr. Clay had
accepted this position it was his intention to offer the portfolio
of the Treasury Department to Mr. Webster; but since Mr. Clay had
declined a seat in the Cabinet, he should not offer one to Mr.
Webster.

Mr. Clay objected to this conclusion, and remarked that while Mr.
Webster was not peculiarly fitted for the control of the national
finances, he was eminently qualified for the management of the
foreign relations. Besides, the appointment of Mr. Webster as
Secretary of State would inspire confidence in the Administration
abroad, which would be highly important, considering the existing
critical relations with Great Britain. General Harrison accepted
the suggestion, and on his return to North Bend wrote to Mr. Webster,
offering him the Department of State and asking his advice concerning
the other members of the Cabinet. The "solid men of Boston," who
had begun to entertain grave apprehensions of hostilities with
Great Britain, urged Mr. Webster to accept, and pledged themselves
to contribute liberally to his support.

No sooner was it intimated that Mr. Webster was to be the Premier
of the incoming Administration than the Calhoun wing of the Democratic
party denounced him as having countenanced the abolition of slavery,
and when his letter resigning his seat in the Senate was read in
that body, Senator Cuthbert, of Georgia, attacked him. The Georgian's
declamation was delivered with clenched fist; he pounded his desk,
gritted his teeth, and used profane language. Messrs. Clay, Preston,
and other Sen