The character of Edwards was none of the best, and Mr.Crawford had unquestionably made a highly unscrupulous use, politically, of his position.

The members of the administration, although with no great love for Edwards, who had been appointed Minister to Mexico, were distinctly hostile to Mr.Crawford, and refused to attend a dinner from which Edwards had been expressly excluded.

Mr.Webster's part in the affair came from his being on the committee charged with the investigation of the Edwards memorial.

Mr.Adams, who was of course excited by the presidential contest, disposed to regard his rivals with extreme disfavor, and especially and justly suspicious of Mr.Crawford, speaks of Mr.
Webster's conduct in the matter with the utmost bitterness.

He refers to it again and again as an attempt to screen Crawford and break down Edwards, and denounces Mr.Webster as false, insidious, and treacherous.