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GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS 509
Glass in which the latter stated that Clary was ready to make an affida
vit in which there would be some startling revelations. After tea, on the
evening of this particular day, Judge Tait, taking with him a Mr. Oliver
Skinner, repaired to the room where Clary was held a prisoner in
charge of Glass. Thereupon followed a long confession in which state
ments were incidentally made involving Gen. John Clark, who it ap
pears from this affidavit was charged with a land transaction for which
the money paid in exchange was counterfeit.
Judge Tait attached no importance to this affidavit, for the de
ponent 's character was such that he could not be trusted; and while he
was none too friendly with General Clark, he was above listening to a
slanderous story in the mouth of a low criminal; so he informed Glass
that the matter would not be prosecuted and need not be made public.
But Glass nevertheless took a copy of the affidavit which, in some
mysterious way fell into the hands o£ General Clark. The latter on
ascertaining that the affidavit was taken at night, immediately jumped
to the conclusion that a foul conspiracy was on foot to wreck him and
that hack of this dark proceeding was his arch-enemy, William H.
Crawford.
Passion often beclouds the truth. As a matter of fact, Clary was
an unprincipled fellow who, knowing the differences between Clark and
Crawford, sought to help his own case, while under arrest, by trumping
up a charge against General Clark; but Judge Tait was too just a man
to give ear to what was manifestly a malicious fabrication. >
Contrary to the general's past record, and at variance with his well-
known fiery disposition, instead of inviting Judge Tait to meet him on
the field of honor, he strangely enough presented a memorial to the
State Legislature, asking for Judge Tait's impeachment. At this time
Mr. Crawford was a member of the House from Oglethorpe, and
naturally he espoused Judge Tait's cause. As chairman of the special
investigating committee, he submitted a report to the House, in which
Judge Tait's good name was upheld, with the further statement that
no evidence could be found on which to base an impeachment. This
report was supported by Mr. Crawford in an eloquent speech upon the
floor. His powers of logic, of sarcasm, and of invective, were never
heard to better advantage; and when a call of the roll was taken, on the
adoption of the committee's report, there were only three votes cast
in opposition, to fifty-seven in favor of exonerating Judge Tait.
Thus the matter ended. General Clark was willing to let Judge
Tait escape now that larger game was in sight; and taking offen.se at
Mr. Crawford's partisan activities in Judge Tait's behalf, and especially
at his speech before the House, he sent, him a challenge through his
friend, John Forsyth. Mr. Crawford yielded compliance to this demand
for satisfaction and ^elected George Moore to arrange the details for the
meeting. On account of engagements in the Federal Court, John
Forsyth was prevented from acting as General Clark's second, where
upon the latter chose Gilbert Hay, of Washington, Georgia, to fill this
post.