Corrupt Bargain Quotes
No one had a majority of the Electoral College and the election was thrown into the House of Representatives. Henry Clay was the Speaker of the House, and had a grudge against Jackson. He convinced several of the State congressional delegations to vote for John Quincy Adams, and when Adams was President, he made Clay the Secretary of State, then the most powerful cabinet position. Hence Jackson’s characterization.
“Magistrate” has the meaning of leading public official of an area. Mayors are often called the Chief Magistrates of the city, for example.
