1 July 1832

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to J. Vincent Browne

Informs that he has received his letter about cordage and tea. States that the Committee of Manufactures of the Senate is now meeting about the tariff and will report tomorrow. Remarks that " ... you have already engaged their attention and we hope to remedy the evils suggested by you." Written as Senator and addressed to Browne in Boston, Massachusetts.

GLC02927

3 August 1833

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Jarvis

Written as Senator from Kentucky. Clay blames the rise of nullification on the "triumph of Gen. [Andrew] Jackson over Mr. [John Quincy] Adams in 1828, alludes to the dangers of the nullification controversy, and highlights his role in effecting a congressional compromise to prevent bloodshed. Clay writes that if he had not compromised he feared the "entire destruction" of the American system of tariffs or a "Civil War." Hopes that manufacturing will not be hurt by the "Compromise" but feels that the bill was fair to both sides of the dispute. Concludes by stating, " ... it should now be…

GLC03307

5 September 1829

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Caspar W. Wever

Discusses his opposition to President Andrew Jackson and future campaign plans being considered in Congress. Also discusses making public appearances and public entertainments.

GLC03573

19 May 1831

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Switzer

Written from Ashland, Clay's estate, to Switzer at Union Bridge, Frederick County, Maryland. Replying to a request from Switzer, Senator Clay discusses his opinions on colonization and slavery. Refers Switzer to an address he gave to the Colonization Society of Kentucky in 1829. Argues for leaving the decision of emancipation up to individual states. Attests that slavery can only be justified in America by necessity, if at all, and that Congress has no power to establish a system of emancipation.

GLC03725

12 April 1839

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nathaniel P. Tallmadge

Expresses his agreement with a speech that Tallmadge gave recently concerning the three great systems of policy; internal improvements, the tariff, and the Bank of United States. Writes about state banks and whether or not they can supply sound, stable currency of uniform value. Remarks that he believes the banks established in New York are able to do this. Notes that if the state banks can accomplish this, there will be no need of a Bank of the United States. Confesses that he has reservations about whether or not this is possible since there are so many states in the Union with so many…

GLC05097

1 January 1809

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Gray

Clay, a United States Senator from Kentucky, discusses the terms of hire for Newman, an ensalved man. Notes the terms of payment: Gray will hire Newman for one year for the price of $100. 1 black and white bust engraving of Henry Clay included.

GLC05904

21 March 1802

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Burdett

Written by Clay as a lawyer in Lexington, Kentucky, before he began his political career to Burdett as an attorney in Cincinnati, Ohio. References a previous letter by Burdett respecting Jim, a runaway slave whose status was in question. Says an answer was not necessary because he had already forwarded "a Copy of those papers on which Jim's right to his freedom is founded. He derives his title from an Indian ancestor who was in the early part of the last Century reduced to Slavery in Virginia, contrary to the laws of that State." The only difficulty of his claim arises from the uncertainty of…

GLC07098

22 July 1851

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Letter signed

Title: to Thomas Robinson Hazard

Clay writes from Ashland, his estate, to Hazard, the noted reformer. Declines an invitation to visit Hazard in Rhode Island, relating that he will not be able to leave home this summer due to ill health. Also due to his health, this letter is written by an amanuensis. Notes that though the climate and sea bathing of Rhode Island would aid his health, "the journey, the cities, the crowds, and the company which I should encounter would neutralize any advantage that I should derive from visiting Newport." Agrees with Hazard on African colonization, remarking, "Its success and prosperity are…

GLC05721

10 June 1820

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Caesar A. Rodney

Written as Speaker of the House. Acknowledges Rodney's letter of 22 May 1820. Rodney asked Clay to hold off on retiring from the House of Representatives, but Clay is adamant, saying "I have reasons, altogether of a private nature, for retiring from the H. of R. which if it were worth while to trouble you with them, I think you would admit justifys my resolution." Says he believes in the maxim of one belonging to his country, but says now is not the time to sacrifice himself since he predicts the country will be at peace for the short term. Believes there is interesting matters to take care…

GLC05265

1839

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Pamphlet

Title: Speech of Mr. Clay, of Kentucky, on the subject of abolition petitions. Delivered in the Senate of the United States, February 7, 1839.

Printed by Gales and Seaton. Stab-stitched. Clay argues, "The liberty of the descendants of Africa in the United States is incompatible with the safety and liberty of the European descendants. Their slavery forms an exception... to the general liberty in the United States. We did not originate, nor are we responsible for, this necessity. Their liberty, if it were possible, could only be established by violating the incontestable powers of the States, and subverting the Union..."

GLC00267.370

1850

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Pamphlet

Title: Speech of the Hon. Henry Clay, of Kentucky, on taking up his compromise resolutions on the subject of slavery. Delivered in Senate, Feb. 5th & 6th, 1850. As reported by the National Intelligencer.

Printed by Stringer & Townsend. Bright yellow wrapper, as issued. Includes an advertisement for the book "Companion to the field sports of North America" on the inner front cover. Clay writes, "Look at all history- consult her pages... look at human nature; look at the contest in which you would be engaged in the supposition of war following upon the dissolution of the Union, such as I have suggested; and I ask you if it is possible for you to doubt that the final disposition of the whole would be some despot treading down the liberties of the people..."

GLC00267.374

October 29, 1827

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Letter signed

Title: to Don Francisco Tacon

Clay, Secretary of State, replies to a note from Spanish Minister Tacon concerning the presence of Commodore Porter (possibly David Porter, Commander in Chief of the Mexican Navy) and his actions in Key West, Florida. Claims that Porter did not perform any act forbidden by the laws of neutrality. Confirms that President John Quincy Adams has ordered an inquiry into Porter's actions. Refers to a statement issued (not included) by Porter concerning his conduct in Key West.

GLC01419

April 14, 1825

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Letter signed

Title: to William C. Somerville

Secretary of State Clay informs Somerville of Somerville's appointment as Charge d'Affaires of the United States in Sweden. States that Somerville will replace Christopher Hughes, who will assume the post of Charge d'Affaires of the United States in the Netherlands. Refers to the inclusion of a letter of introduction addressed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Government of Sweden, a copy of this letter, and of Somerville's Commission (not included). Offers instructions regarding the duties Somerville will assume at his new post. Informs that Somerville will receive more papers…

GLC01574.03

April 4, 1840

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander Miller

States that he would be happy to assist him in procuring a loan but feels that now is not a good time. Remarks, "There is a want of Capital and a want of confidence." Explains that he would be able to represent him well but that there is a tendency to not lend money to distant borrowers. Offers to supply him or his agent with letters of recommendation. Comments that chances are good for the election of General William Henry Harrison, who won the Presidency in 1840.

GLC01574.04

29 April 1847

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Adam Beatty

Discusses President Polk's demand of all land above 26 degrees latitude, from the gulf to the Pacific Ocean. Writes that if a military candidate is necessary, he supports General Zachary Taylor for president. Beatty, of Mason County, Kentucky, had a long career as an attorney and judge. Written by Henry Clay from his estate, Ashland, in Lexington, Kentucky.

GLC02494.02

July 26, 1828

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Thompson

Based on news from Kentucky, Clay predicts to Colonel Thompson that John Quincy Adams will beat Andrew Jackson for Presidency. Four years earlier, Clay, as a Kentucky Senator, had helped Adams defeat Jackson when the Presidential election came before Congress. Clay and Jackson would dislike each other from then on. In this election though, Jackson emerged victorious, even in Clay's state of Kentucky.

GLC00144

16 April 1832

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Pamphlet

Title: In Senate of the United States. April 16, 1832. Mr. Clay, from the Committee on Manufactures, made, to the Senate, the following Report:

22d Congress, 1st Session, document no. 128. Discusses the history of land surveying and selling after the Revolution, the Louisiana purchase, and the acquisition of Florida. There was fear in the South that proceeds would be used to advance a colonization agenda. The report recommends distributing proceeds to the states based on population.

GLC00267.047

1821

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Pamphlet

Title: Henry Clay's letter on emancipation.

While opposed to slavery, Clay argues that emancipation is a greater evil. His solution combined gradual emancipation with colonization. He says that the "Social, moral and political degradation would be the inevitable lot of the colored races" and points to the severity of Northern penal legislation against Black freedpeople. First edition.

GLC00267.043

1850

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Pamphlet

Title: Remarks of Mr. Clay of Kentucky, on introducing his propositions to compromise on the slavery question.

Delivered in the Senate of the United States, 29 January 1850. Proposes an amicable arrangement to the controversies between the free and slave states on the issue of the extension of slavery. Printed by Jno. T. Towers, Washington, D.C.

GLC00267.135

December 31, 1851

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Letter signed

Title: to James Robb

Henry Clay comments on the current perilous state of the Republic, and praises Senator Solomon W. Downs for his help in passing the Compromise of 1850. He asks James Robb to help make sure that the Louisiana legislature re-elects Downs as a senator. Clay worries that the election of another man may lead to increasing sectionalism and instability in Congress. The letter is written six months before Clay's death.

GLC00539

August 28, 1823

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas I. Wharton

Henry Clay discusses his position in favoring emancipation 25 years earlier and how his continuing feelings defeated him at the polls several times due to the interest and demand of continuing to enslave people. He writes, "My opinion is unchanged...the African portion of the community is not so large as to make any hazard to the purity & safety of Society by a gradual and prepared emancipation of the offspring." Also discusses the political situation especially as it was affecting his first candidacy for president in the 1824 presidential election. He assesses the support he might have…

GLC00509

December 12, 1823

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas I. Wharton

Discusses his recent election to Speaker of the House, alludes to its possible effect on his presidential run in the election of 1824, and explains that his political opponents desire to form a caucus. Also notes his improving health. Remarks on foreign affairs, particularly "the affairs of Spanish America," which had resulted in the declaration of the Monroe Doctrine ten days earlier. Clay argues: "Physically we can not, morally we may interfere in the affairs of Europe; and the great sheam [sic] of moral power would not be small nor unfelt."

GLC00645

March 27, 1828

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Letter signed

Title: to Daniel Hugunin, Jr.

Marked "private and inofficial" at the top of the page. Referring to trade between the United States and Great Britain, Secretary of State Clay informs Hugunin, a Representative from New York, that "sound policy requires that there should be the freest and most unshackled competition between the vessels of the two countries in any trade that may be tolerated on the Lakes ..." Discusses an Act passed on 1 March 1, 1823 concerning colonial ports and trade between Britain and America. Refers to a resolution recently moved by New York Representative Daniel Dewey Barnard concerning trade between…

GLC00754

March 6, 1824

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John D. Godman

Letter discusses the upcoming presidential election. Speculates on the contest between himself, John Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson, and William H. Crawford. Thinks it certain that the election will be decided in the House of Representatives (it was). Between himself and Crawford, he guesses that whoever wins New York will be considered by the House along with Adams and Jackson. Predicts that if he makes to the House, he will win; otherwise he suspects Adams will win. Comments on other states and possible outcomes. Discusses how Godman and his other political supporters in Philadelphia can…

GLC01028

1815-1860

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Signature

Title: [Henry Clay of Ashland and Ida S. White of Tennessee]

Signatures on same page

GLC05603.02.50