In the 1840 presidential election , Crittenden again encouraged Kentucky Whigs to support the nomination of Henry Clay . During the balloting at the party 's 1839 convention , candidates Clay and General Winfield Scott played cards with Crittenden and Whig politician George Evans at the Astor House hotel in New York City . When the group received word of William Henry Harrison 's victory , Clay blamed his loss on Scott and struck him , with the blow landing on the shoulder which had been wounded during Scott 's participation in the Battle of Lundy 's Lane . Afterwards Clay had to be physically removed from the hotel room . Scott then sent Crittenden to Clay with Scott 's challenge for a duel , but Crittenden reconciled them by convincing Clay to apologize
1839 convention
1839 Whig National Convention
John J. Crittenden