Letter from Henry Clay to John Kelly, Allegheny City, Pa., Lexington, Ky. 28 July 1842

Thanks Kelly for his "friendly motives" in writing him. Has not yet seen the papers or statement to which Kelly refers. However, he cannot appear in the papers or even authorize contradictions as coming from him without appearing oversensitive. In speech, he thinks in 1823-24, " in defending the protection of American industry," he expressed hope government would not be exclusively regulated by the slave labor of the South. The effect of this "would be to make white laborers the slaves of black slaves."

Filson Historical Society Manuscript Collection

Mss. C C