Clay, Henry, 1777-1852 to John Switzer
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03725 Author/Creator: Clay, Henry, 1777-1852 Place Written: Kentucky Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 19 May 1831 Pagination: 1 p. : address Height: 25 cm, Width: 20.2 cm Order a Copy
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.
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