[4] This reply to Randolph was made in the House of Representatives,
in 1824, in the course of the debate between Clay and Randolph.
"During the session of 1823-4, attempts wore made to run at Mr. Clay,
on account of his peculiar situation in being named for the presidency
while Speaker of the House of Representatives, and for his zealous
support of the American system. In a debate on an improvement bill he
encountered Mr. Randolph of Virginia, who had endeavored to provoke
him to reply," and the bit of the debate reproduced here is the answer
the gentleman from Virginia received for his pains.
[5] After the above address, La Fayette rose, and in a tone influenced
by powerful feeling, made an eloquent reply. In 1824 La Fayette
visited the United States, as "the guest of the Nation," and he was
gladly welcomed in many parts of the country. And "on the tenth of
December, 1824, he was introduced in the House of Representatives by a
committee appointed for that purpose. The general, being conducted to
the sofa placed for his reception, the Speaker (Mr. Clay), addressed
him" in the very happy words given above.