Browse Items (174 total)
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Letter from Henry Clay to Adam Beatty, Washington, Ky. Washington, 22 January 1820
Briefly discusses the Kentucky governorship and regrets he must refuse those who would like him to occupy that office. Relates his general views and Congressional observations re: Spanish affairs and possible war. Notes Spanish and all other matters have "given way to the Missouri question, in Congress." The controversy has awakened and exacerbated sectional feelings and "the words Civil War and Disunion are uttered almost without emotion." Witnessed Sen. Pinkney of Md. give an eloquent speech against restriction yesterday. The Senate opposes restriction; in the House a majority against restriction is doubtful. Thinks nothing will be done in Congress re: the currency. -
Letter from Henry Clay to Adam Beatty. Lexington, Kentucky. 28 May 1848
Clay has recommended Beatty to the Governor for appointment to the Senate to replace Crittenden. The Governor seems to favor Mr. Kincaid of Lexington, but agreed to consider Beatty. -
Letter from Henry Clay to Alexander H.H. Stuart, Washington. "Ashland," 4 October 1850
Letter of recommendation for J. Morrison Harris for a public job in California. Clay notes that Harris was a member of the Baltimore Bar and that he was a "personal and political friend." -
Letter from Henry Clay to Baron de Neuville, n.p. New Orleans, 7 March 1831
Clay introduces his friend W. C. C. Claiborne, son ot the late Governor [William Charles Coles] Claiborne of Louisiana, extolling his exemplary conduct and amiable disposition. Claiborne lived with Clay's family for several years, comes from a highly regarded New Orleans society, and has been elected to the Louisiana Legislature. Claiborne is on his way to France for the purposes of health and observation. Clay and his wife send compliments to the Baroness. -
Letter from Henry Clay to Ben J. Adams, Louisville, Ky. Ashland, Ky., 19 May 1851
Letter covering enclosure of letters of recommendation and introduction for a Mr. Fellows, friend of Adams, stating that he regrets not adding same to "our Ministers at London and Paris" but believes he has imposed on them enough in the past. The world's fair "has terribly interferred with my peace & repose." With an envelope addressed and franked by Clay. -
Letter from Henry Clay to Benjamin Gratz, Lexington, Kentucky. Washington, D.C. 24 December 1831
Discusses a suggestion to allow a drawback to the amount of the duty or part of it on all cotton bagging whether domestic or foreign. Clay asks Gratz to sound out opinion in Lexington on the idea. -
Letter from Henry Clay to Brother Nathl. Hardy and Brother W.P. Churchill. Louisville, 22 June 1829
Regretting that he must decline the invitation to attend at the Masonic Hall on the 24th instant and join the members of the fraternity in a public procession. -
Letter from Henry Clay to Capt. John Perin, Hanover County, Virginia. Ashland, Lexington, Kentucky. 12 September 1848
Clay thanks his friends in Hanover for their thoughts, but he cannot accept the nomination of those meeting at the Slash Church for the presidency. "I deplore the condition of the Country, and not the less because it has been produced not only without any agency of mine, but against my solemn warnings and publicly expressed convictions." -
Letter from Henry Clay to Charles J. Hadermann, Louisville, Kentucky. Ashland, Lexington, Kentucky. 1 November 1845
Expresses regret at the results of the late presidential election. "I was surprised and sorry to see how many of your Countrymen, and others of foreign birth were deluded.... As they become more versed in our institutions and their operation, they will themselves regret that delusion." Comments on Calvin Colton's forthcoming biography of Clay and believes it will add to public knowledge. -
Letter from Henry Clay to Charles James Faulkner. Washington, D.C., 11 January 1833
Discusses nullification and the tariff issue. -
Letter from Henry Clay to Charles Lobdell. Lexington, Kentucky, 11 November 1850
Despite his rule not to send his autograph, he thanks Lobdell for his compliments and since Lobdell wants to follow Franklin's profession, he hopes he will "emulate his virtues, and attain to his fame and greatness." -
Letter from Henry Clay to Col. George Thompson, Shawnee Springs near Harrodsburg. Ashland Ky, 24 June 1825
Thanks Thompson for his long and continuing friendship. Has heard of Thompson's "touching interviews with Lafayette." Clay expects to see Lafayette in Washington and will deliver Thompson's message. Clay also states he is disgusted with "the late scurrilous attack" upon Thompson. [Someone, possibly Thompson, has crossed out this paragraph.] -
Letter from Henry Clay to Col. John Francis Hamtramck, Shepherdstown, Virginia. Ashland, Lexington, Kentucky. 19 September 1848
Since the Philadelphia Convention passed over Clay for the Presidential nomination, he has written to many people that he "would not consent to any further use of my name in connection with that office, and that I would not consent to accept a nomination, if it were tendered to me." -
Letter from Henry Clay to Col. R. Quarles. n.p. Washington, D.C. 6 Dec. 1826
Clay warns Quarles that by refusing to transfer the notes in payment of Dr. Warfield's debts he may make himself responsible for other debts exhausting his assets. He also notes that executors can choose between creditors when they have equal claims. -
Letter from Henry Clay to Col. Thomas Hart, Olympian Springs. Paris, Ky., 25 May 1804
Clay writes his father-in-law that friends and family are well. and "Mrs. Hart" has been delivered of a daughter. "Mr. [James] Brown" had not left the Falls the last they heard. "The river was too low to admit of the passage of the rigged vessels and he had to look out for a flat bottom boat." Gives more details and calls the low water "a national misfortune." Recaps judgments in Hart' s favor in two lawsuits. Says yesterday's mail brought news of Bonaparte's assassination and the Bourbons reascension of the throne. "A few days will confirm or refute the rumors." Discusses the political situation in France resulting from the arrest of Moreau and Pichegru. Says the Olympian Springs,a spa in Montgomery Co which Hart owned, are a constant topic of conversation. -
Letter from Henry Clay to Col. W. L. Stone, New York City. Washington, 11 January 1839
Responds to a request by a Mr. Clover through Stone to obtain a portrait of Clay for the purpose of having it engraved. Artists have so often failed to copy his correct likeness that he is quite tired of the experiment, as he is of some other "experiments in our country. " Consents to Clover's request and have him contact him re: an appointment. -
Letter from Henry Clay to D. Ford. Washington, D.C. 13 December 1824
Thanks Ford for his consideration and says that the friends of Crawford now regret they didn't support Clay in the recent election. Expects Louisiana will go for General Jackson. -
Letter from Henry Clay to Daniel Jenifer, No Place-Washington, D.C., 7 December 1834
A letter from Clay to the Anti-Jacksonian Representative from Maryland. Clay asks for Jenifer' s stance " for war or peace," more than likely indicating the potential conflict with France over French refusal to pay reparations due the U.S according to the Treaty of 1831. -
Letter from Henry Clay to Dear Sir, n.p. Ashland (Lexington, Ky), 12 April 1813
Intends placing his sons in Dear Sir's school afterall. Oldest recovering from a fever and too weak to begin studies for at least ten or twelve days. Wants the boys to start together. -
Letter from Henry Clay to Dr. J. B. Stuart Washington, D.C. 15 February 1824
A caucus was held last evening concerning the candidacy of William Crawford. Clay discusses the number who attended and their purpose. The newspapers will carry an account of the meeting. "We shall wait with anxiety to learn the effect that it may produce at Albany."