The life of Cassius Marcellus Clay : memoirs, writings, and speeches, showing his conduct in the overthrow of American slavery, the salvation of the Union, and the restoration of the autonomy of the states

Front matter

391. Clay, Gassius -M. Life Memoirs, Writings, Speeches.

Was a strong Kentucky Union

Man in Civil 'Jar. Vol. 2 was never published. Very scarce. Vol. I 600 pp.

Preface

Among the millions of books which fill the world, as the dust of summer, or the leaves of autumn, how few are Autobiographies! And, of those few, how many are fragmentary — illuminating a few promontories only ; whilst the vast continent of life remains dark !

The acts of the drama of a life may be few, but the scenes — the thoughts — are infinite. It seems to be a law of nature that the memory of evil is lasting; whilst the joys of life are soon forgotten. How shall we solve this hard problem — the Spanish apothegm— "There is a skeleton in every house?"

In Hamlet's soliloquies the partial enumeration of the ills of Life seem sufficient to make Death tolerable, if not desirable; but all its ills are not there set forth. Often have I heard men and women say, they would not live life over again. And so published rem^ iniscences and memoirs are few; because they occasion a faint repetition of life.

Of these ills, not mentioned by Shakespeare, the greatest is Calumny, which, unlike those others, follows us even beyond the gates of death. It is often said, "a lie will not live forever;" that "truth is omnipotent, and public justice certain." These dicta may be very encouraging to youth ; but to me, who have lived long, and seen much of life, they are very unsafe maxims. For it may just as well be said that, "a lie will travel miles, whilst truth is putting on his boots."

in

IV PREFACE.

The Gracci were, no doubt, patriots. The ruin of Rome came of not following their advice ; yet the voice of mankind has branded them as villains. Henry Clay was hounded to his death with the cry of "bargain and sale," because he took the best man and the best cause in charge, as was his right and patriotic duty. Now, no man conceals the avowal that combinations of personal ambitions for noble purposes are not only virtuous but wise. The misfortune of the Gracci, and of Clay, and others, including myself, is, that those who attack great interests, or thwart the ends of great parties, incur immortal hatreds.

Those who follow principles can not always remain in the same party. As the enemy of Slavery, the Democrats hate me; and, as the vindicator of Southern autonomy of the States, the Republicans (in the language of one writing of Seward's hostility,) held toward me "unflinching enmity." Of course, there are great-souled and just men in all parties. But the union of all personal ambitions, and all honors and emoluments, in parties, creates that esprit du corps which is stronger than all other human ties, and over-rides all moral and religious duties.

Every man should be estimated, not by his personal success — the emoluments and honors of office — but by the triumph of those principles which add to human happiness. In the history of the world, the latter only are remembered with gratitude. The overthrow of Slavery in this Nation, in the judgment of many, was a more important event than even American Independence. We came out from monarchy by great sacrifice of blood and treasure ; but, in the course of human events, we may wisely return to it again. But Slavery, at great sacrifice, is abolished ; and, whether we remain one nation,* or many — whether Republic or Empire — is gone forever ! Can any one estimate the sum of happiness which has been secured to the human race by its death?

So the restoration of the autonomy of the States was but another form of the great struggle for the Government of the People, as against the Divine Right of Kings. These States, ruled by a central power at Washington, by means of patronage

PREFACE. V

and military influence, still bearing the name of Republic, would be in fact a corrupt and tyrannical despotism, without the wholesome checks upon tyranny which come from the hereditary descent of the rulers.

In the light of these great events, I desire to stand before the reader, and receive such consideration among men as my share in their triumph shall merit. The episodes and incidents, and even the actors in this grand drama, are but the filling in of the stage scenery ; and, in comparison with the great principles determined, are nothing but "leather and prunella."

C. M. C.

White Hall, Madison Co., Ky., 1885.

LINES TO C. M. C.

BY MRS. E. J. EAMES.

Brave heart, and truly noble! that didst single

From all Earth's lofty aims the loftiest one, Pursuing it by means which might not mingle

With views less generous — nobly hast thou done! And dared and striven — through every obstacle; And steadfastly resisting, through each ill,

The Wrong and False. Sure, thou hast read and pondered With highest wisdom on those words divine —

"Love one another;" therefore ne'er hath wandered The star that led thy spirit to the shrine

Of holiest truth! Still may the angels have Their charge o'er thee. Still (with the hope sublime

To serve thy race) mayest thou all danger brave, And win thy way, now, and through future time !

For Truth — Truth pure and indestructible — Is the strong ark wherein thy safety lies. Even 'midst the slanders of fierce enemies

Shalt thou be armed with hero-courage still T' oppose the Wrong, and pray God speed the Right. Now steadily upon the wondrous light

Of Freedom, in the Future, fix thy glance; Then, animated by the grandest dream —

The noblest earthly hope — still to advance (With fearless will) the Cause that must redeem

The promise written on the Nation's scroll —

The pledge that in the Country of the Free Men shall have Equal Rights! Courage, O ardent soul! Press onward — onward still! and thou shalt reach the goal!

LINES TO C. M. CLAY.

BY JOHN H. BRYANT, (BROTHER OF WM. CULLEN BRYANT.)

Bold champion of the poor! a thorny road

Before thse lies ; for thou hast bared thy breast, And nerved thine arm, to lift the heavy load,

And break the chains from limbs too long oppressed. Tyrants' and Custom's dupes may strive in vain ;

Truth wields a weapon mightier far than they. Huge bars and gates of brass are rent in twain,

Touched by the magic of her peaceful sway. Hold then thy course, nor bate a jot of hope.

Lo ! the day dawns along our eastern shore ;

Soon shall the night of prejudice be o'er, And a bright morning give thee freer scope

To rouse thy countrymen to deeds of good ;

And just and peaceful laws shall save the land from blood. Princeton, Nov. 7, 1845.

VI

CONTENTS OF VOLUME I.

Chapter I

Early Years. — The Clay Family. — My Home.— First Fight.— My Mother.

Fight against Odds. — Boyhood. — School-mates. — My Father. Youth.

Educational Career. — Slavery. — Mary. — Sidney Payne Clay. Hendricks' Boy Joe.— The Iron Collar.— Fight with George.— Education continued. — Journey to Cincinnati. — Adventure with Birdseye. "Never tell any one your Business." — Education continued. — St. Joseph's College, Bardstown. — Fight at St. Joseph's. — Fellow-students,

Chapter II. Page

My Father, Green Clay. — His Character.— His Apothegms.— His Military Career. — His Letter to Capt. M. Harrison. — His treatment of his Challenger. — His fondness for the Peaceful, Innocent, and Good. His Death. — Why he came to Kentucky. — Transylvania University. Its President and Professors. — Fellow-students. — I visit Washington City and Baltimore. — President Andrew Jackson. — Estimate of his Character. — John C. Calhoun. — Martin Van Buren. — Journey North. John Quincy Adams. — George Ticknor. — Daniel Webster. — Prompt to keep Appointments, 37

Chapter III

Yale College. — Its President and Professors. — William Lloyd Garrison. His logical discourse converts me. — I deliver the Washington Centennial Oration of 1832. — Am Baptized. — Christianity, reflections concerning. — Class-mates. — Joseph Longworth. — His father, Nicholas Longworth. — American Grapes and Wines. — Allan Taylor Caperton. — The Lost Love. — Lines Poetic. — "Girls and Boys go a Hickory-nut-hunting." — A Portrait. — Engaged, 54

Chapter IV

Womans' Rights. — Death of Dr. J. P. Declarey. — Political Life. — Elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives. — Robert Wickliffe. — I speak at Stanford, Lincoln County. — Fight with James C. Sprigg. The Canvass of 1841. — Duel with Wickliffe. — Fight with S. M.

Brown, at Russell's Cave, 69

VII

VIII CONTENTS.

Chapter V. Fagk

Tried for Mayhem. — Voluntarily defended by Henry Clay and John Speed Smith. — Brown's evidence proves a conspiracy to kill me. — Sketch of Henry Clay. — A few sentences from his Address to the Jury. — Declared not Guilty. — Death of Brown. — The State of Parties. — Henry Clay and the Presidential contest of 1844. — Daniel Webster and Henry Clay.— The Canvass in Boston. — In New York. — Result adverse to H. Clay. — He unjustly denounces the Abolitionists.— My Reply, '. . 86

Chapter VI

"The True American." — Why it was begun. — Employment of an Editor. He is frightened into desertion. — The Office armed to repel expected Assault. — The Committee of Sixty. — Co-Laborers. — James B. Clay. — Letter from my Mother. — Letter from Committee of Cincinnati Citizens, and my Reply. — Removal of Office of "True American" to Cincinnati. — Episode from Secret History of the Southern Confederacy — Time 1864, 105

Chapter VII

The Mexican War. — James S. Jackson. — Col. H. Marshall. — Buffalo Hunting. — Comanche Hunting Camps. — Tigers. — Rough Surgery. — Morning Light. — A Snake Story. — The First Shot. — A Mule's Sagacity.— Lost for Days on our Return Trip. — K's Despondency. — A Night with Robbers. — My School-mate Desperado. — After Tragedy a Comedy. — Arrival at last at Lavaca, 117

Chapter VIII

General Wool invites me to join his command. — Wild Horse and Turkeyhunting. — John U. Waring. — Thomas F. Marshall. — James S. Jackson. The march to Monterey, 1845. — Gen. Z. Taylor. — Gen. W. O. Butler. Gallagher's experience. — The Mexican hacienda. — Dr. Solon Borland. — Surrounded by 3,000 Mexican Cavalry, our force of 75 surrenders.— Mier. — Salao. — Escape of Henry. — Threatened with murder.— I protest, and the Mexican commander relents. — Recognized by an Englishman, when nearly starved, and we are fed. — Mobbed at Queratero, we escape into a church, 135

Chapter IX

The City of Mexico. — A friend in need. — Dr. Solon Borland's enmity. The Water-Cure cures me. — Approach of General Scott. — Removed to Toluca, Capital of the State of Mexico. — Journey thither. — Characteristics of its People noticed by Humboldt and Pritchard. Lolu. — Indian gravity over-rated. — Liberation and Return to City of Mexico. — Exchanged, and leave for Home. — Reception in Lexington.— Earthquakes, 152

CONTENTS. IX

Chapter X. Page

The Political Situation. — Nomination and Election of General Z. Taylor President of the United States. — Defense of Henry Clay. Results of his Defeat. — The Dissolution of Parties in 1848. — "The True American" becomes "The Examiner." — Emancipation Convention in Frankfort. — Freedom of Speech. — A Memorable Day. — My conduct in Mexico endorsed by "The Salt River Tigers." — The New Constitution. — Death of Cyrus Turner. — Kentucky Constitution passed in 1850. — Five Letters to Hon. Daniel Webster, . . 168

Chapter XI

"Liberty of Speech" vindicated. — I separate from the Whigs. — Anti- Slavery Women : Harriet Beecher' Stowe ; Evelyn Woodson ; Lucretia Mott. — The prejudice of Color. — Letter from the Ladies of the Ashtabula County (Ohio) Anti-Slavery Society. — Overthrow of the Whig Party. — Canvass for Governor of Kentucky in 185 i. — Berea College.— John J. Crittenden. — John C. Breckinridge and Robert P. Letcher.— I save the Life of William Willis. — W. C. P. Breckinridge, 206

Chapter XII

Joel T. Hart. — -His letters to me from Florence, Italy. — My speech at a Banquet given him at Lexington, Ky. — Hart's "Triumph of Woman." — His death. — The Presidential Canvass .of 1852. — The Johnsons. — The Free-Soil Party of 1856. — How I first met Abraham Lincoln. — Our further acquaintance. — My Correspondence with Rev. James S. Davis, of Cabin Creek, Ky. — Letter to "Richmond Messenger." — I speak at Chicago, 222

Chapter XIII

Origin of the Republican Party. — The Revolutionary Committee of my County. — My Letter to the Citizens of Madison County. — Turmoil in Kentucky. — Remarks of the St. Louis "Democrat." — Another Triumph for Free Speech. — Letter to the Louisville "Journal." — Testimonial to Mrs. C. M. Clay. — Interview with Wm. H. Seward. Resolutions of the Young Men's Republican Union of New York. — President Lincoln's first Cabinet. — Promised the Secretary of War Portfolio, I am offered the Mission to Spain. — I refuse, but accept the Mission to Russia 239

Chapter XIV

The Clay Battalion. — Defense of Washington City. — The C. M. Clay Guards, 1861. — General James H. Lane. — Testimonials. — Hon. Charles Sumner urges my acceptance of the Commission of Major-General. I decline, and proceed on my Mission to Russia. — W. R. Henley. Scraps of History. — Issue of Veracitv between -B. F. Wade and myself. — Telegram from the Blairs. — Continued Assaults by the Seward faction. — Extracts from the Newspapers — New York "Evening Post," "World," and Erie (Pa.) "Gazette," indormng me for Secretary of War • 259

X CONTENTS.

Chapter XV. Page

.Leaving Washington ; An Adventure. — At Sea. — Charles Francis Adams. British Parliament. — Lord Brougham. — Lord Palmerston. — Mrs. Stowe at Stafford House. — My "'Times' Letter." — J. Lathrop Motley. — Letter of John Bright. — Public Breakfast given me in Paris. — Reception by the Czar. — The Russian Court. — L. Q. C. Lamar.— Diplomacy as a Profession. — Her Imperial Majesty, the Empress. —Note from the Princess Radziwill, ...... 283

Chapter XVI

Recalled and Commissioned Major-General of Volunteers. — Simon Cameron and Bayard Taylor succeed me. — Return to Washington City. Overthrow of the Slave-Power foreshadowed. — President Lincoln's Letters. — Salmon P. Chase. — My Washington Speech. — Interview with General Halleck. — The President sends me to Kentucky. — The Battle of Richmond, Ky. — Prof. Blinn's Eulogy. — Halleck's Special Order set aside by the President. — I resign my Major-general's Commission 299

Chapter XVII

Policy of Reconstruction denounced. — Letter to Geo. D. Prentice to that effect. — Interview with Stanton. —Letter from W. W. Seaton. — Letter from Stanton. — I meet James A. Garfield. — Letters from S. P. Chase. — Henry Bergh as my Secretary of Legation. — I speak, on invitation, at Albany, New York. — My Speech, refused publication in the leading newspapers, i publish as a pamphlet. i return to russia. — letter from bayard taylor. — blsmarck. — the Duke of Montebello. — Lord Napier. — Nihilism. — Alexander II. — T. Morris Chester. — Received a guest at Gatchina Palace. — My estimate of the Emperor, Alexander II. — His Portrait. — Letters from Prince Gortchacow, 317

Chapter XVIII

High Life in Russia. — Infant Asylums and the Ballet. — Actors and Singers. — Lucca, Patti, and Ristorj. — Fanny Kemble; her letter. — Letter of the Baroness Louise Jomini. — How I escaped from "Devouring Dogs." — The Military. — Invited, I visit the Princess Dalgorouki. — Associations. — The Clubs. — The City of St. Petersburg. Marriage of Alexander III. — The Crown Prince of Prussia. — Great Britain's Prince of Wales. — Prince George of Denmark, now Kinc of Greece. — The Grand Duchess Olga. — The White Hall, its Conservatory.— The Hermitage great Gallery of Paintings, . . . 341

Chapter XIX

Russia. — Popular Pastimes. — Ice Mountains. — Pretty poor French for KiisiNEss purposes. — The Perkins-Claim Swindle. — Seward telegraphs me to press it. — Prince Gortchacow's Decision. — M. de Catacazy's letter to Chief Justice Chase. — Catacazy's Defense. — Seward requests ME TO RESIGN. — I DO SO CONDITIONALLY. — THE SENATE REFUSES

CONTENTS. XI

PAGE

to appoint my successor. — flnal defeat of seward. — perkins-claim Swindle revived by Bancroft Davis, under auspices of the Immortal Fish. — Captain G. B. Fox and his Mission. — John Van Buren. — Prince Gortchacow entertains the Diplomatic Corps. — Admiral Farragut. — Count Bergh and Prince Suwarrow. — Count Mouravieff Amousky. — Public Dinner given me at Moscow. — I make a Tariff speech. — City of Moscow. — William L. Winans. — The Orloff breed of Horses, . . . / . . , . 361

Chapter XX

Russian Habits. — Religion and Humanity. — "Russian Cruelties." — The Grand Dukes Constantine and Nicholas. — A scene at the private theater of the Princess DTtalie-Suwarrow. — Comparative Courage. Gen. U. S. GrAnt. — Letter of Gen. Edward M. McCook. — Gen. John A. Rawlins. — How I lost the favor of Her Majesty the Empress. Prince Alexander Dolgorouki enlightens me. — Her Imperial Majesty's Portrait, 41S

Chapter XXI

Madame Grimski Corsikoff. — Prince Gortchacow, with Portrait. — My estimate of his fine character. — His letter to me on the fall of Richmond. — The new Union of the States. — Austria's reason for disliking the success of the Federal arms. — Her position among the Powers. — Reflections on the eventual condition of Europe. Destiny of England. — German Beer-Gardens. — Souvenirs. — Photographs, 438

Chapter XXII

Governor Curtin, of Pennsylvania, is appointed to relieve me. — I return Home. — "An American Diplomate." — Effect of my Cuban Speech. — The Immortal Fish. — Catacazy and the Perkins' Claim Swindle. — General Grant and the Battle of Shiloh. — Bazil Duke's Statement. — The Autonomy of the Southern States. — My Speech in New York City silenced by Custom-House Claquers. — I pay the "Tribune" for publishing it correctly. — Charles A. Dana. — How the South was made "Solid," 451

Chapter XXIII

Hamilton Fish, W. H. Seward's successor, reproduces the latter's Falsehoods and Calumnies against me. — On sight of same i publish my response, with letters from Russian Notabilities and Dignitaries triumphantly vindicating me.— The Grand Duke Alexis of Russia extends to me distinguished honor, at st. louis. — h. flsh & co. fail as conclusively as W. H. Seward & Co. in securing my condemnation, 463

XII CONTENTS.

Chapter XXIV. Page

George W. Julian of Indiana. — Men of Mason County, Kentucky, approve, IN 1845, THE SUPPRESSION OF THE " TRUE AMERICAN." — LATER MEN

of Mason County "Resolve" again. — In 1848 I propose the Frankfort Convention. — Great progress made by 1849, AS shown by further "Resolves" of Men of Mason County. — I speak in Maysville;

AFTERWARD IN BROOKVILLE. — AM MET BY \VM. C. MARSHALL. — HlS TACTICS BEING DEFEATED, AS A POLITICIAN HE IS RUINED. — PROPOSING TO FORM A

National Party, I invite G. W. Julian to assist me. — Marshall's later tactics overcome us, and we retire. — how his party supports Mr. Julian 479

Chapter XXV

The Greeley Movement inaugurated. — Invited to speak in St. Louis, I propose Horace Greeley for the Presidency.— Gen. Beauregard. — The 1872 Liberal Republican Convention in Cincinnati. — Stanley Matthews and Carl Schurz. — Nomination of Horace Greeley and B. Gratz Brown. — Henry Watterson. — Imperialism. — Canvass of 1872 and 1876. — I visit Mississippi. — How I found matters political there. — Threatened fight near Friar's Point. — Mississippi ejects the Carpet-Baggers, - 501

Chapter XXVI

Election of R. B. Hayes decided by the Eight to Seven vote of the Justices of the U. S. Supreme Court. — He ratifies the Autonomy of the States by the withdrawal of U. S. Troops from the South. — Why I

HAVE HAD TO WRITE THESE MEMOIRS MYSELF. — LETTER FROM HON. JAMES

G. Blaine. — Letter from Henry A. Homes, of Albany, N. Y. — Letter of Gen. John W. Gordon. — Democratic Appreciation. — Reform and Despotism. — I address the Kentucky Historical Society at Frankfort. — My Speech on the Currency, 517

Chapter XXVII

Democratic Nihilism. — Assassination of Adam Butner. — A fraudulent Election. — Assassination of Thomas Peyton by Blacks evidently employed by " ku-klux." — but one witness to a tragedy.— a false Friend robs me of $10,000. — I am sold out, but eventually triumph over my enemies. — mrs. clay leaves me in russia. — my eldest son, Green Clay, as a Union Soldier. — He is dispossessed of his home by his Mother. — I announce to him my intention to apply for a Divorce.— Shocked, he tries to dissuade me. — I give him my reasons, cogent and ample. — There being no legal opposition, the Divorce is granted. — Letters from sons, and daughter Mary. — Life and Death of a Christian. — Letter from my daughter-in-law, Cornelia W. Clay. — A disagreeable subject sufficiently explained, . . . 531

Contents

XIII

Chapter XXVIII. Page

Literature, Ancient and Modern. — Opinion of the works of Shakspeare. Homer's "Iliad" and "Odyssey." — Modern History and Fiction. — Newspaper Literature. — Solitary and lonely in life, I send for and adopt a Son. — Launey Clay. — My treatment by successful Republican place-men. — C. M. Clay and Elizabeth de Sozia Wood. — I

AM PLUNDERED ALIKE BY WHITES AND BLACKS. — My BLACK ATTENDANTS STARVE, AND ATTEMPT THE MURDER OF MY ADOPTED SON, . . . 550

Chapter XXIX

i stand on the eternal laws of self-defense. — arming myself, i start on a hunt for new servants. — death of perry white.— berea. — John Gregg Fee. — The Higher Law Controversy. — " Expediency." My Estimate of John G. Fee. — The Equality of the Races. — Letters from John G. Fee. — Letter from W. C. Bryant. — From Hannibal Hamlin. — Edmund Quincy. — John A. Andrew. — Archibald Alison. — Edward Everett. — Thomas W. Evans. — S. C. Pomeroy. — Wendell Phillips. — Joshua R. Geddings. — Caleb B. Smith. — Horace Greeley. Wm. H. Seward. — T. Buchanan Read. — George Bancroft. — Eugene Schuyler. — Gerrit Smith. — E. B. Washburne. — James S. Rollins. — Charles A. Dana. — T. F. Bayard. — A. G. Thurman. — My Eulogy on Wendell Phillips. — Race and the "Solid South." — Reflections on Social Equality, and destiny of the Black Race. — End of Vol. I., 566

LIST OF ENGRAVINGS.

VOLUME I.

Portrait of Cassius M. Clay, ........

View of White Hall, Homestead of the Author, ....

Portrait of Gen. Green Clay, .......

Portrait of Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, 1861-1865,

Full-length portrait of His Majesty Alexander II., late Emperor of Russia, .........

Full-length portrait of Her Majesty Marie, Empress of Alexander II. of Russia, .......

Portrait of Prince Alexander Gortchacow, late Chancellor of Russia, ........•■ to J

r(fi\- title page.

i i

" page 18

(t

" 304

" 336

" 436

" 442

THE LIFE OF

CASSIUS MARCELLUS CLAY.

i5

OF

CASSIUS MARCELLUS CLAY.

Chapter I

Early Years. — The Clay Family. — My Home. — First Fight. — My Mother. — Fight against Odds. — Boyhood. — School-mates. — My Father. — Youth. — Educational Career. — Slavery. — Mary. — Sidney Payne Clay. — Hendricks' Boy Joe. — The Iron Collar. — Fight with George. — Education continued. — Journey t</ Cincinnati. — Adventure with Birdseye. — "Never tell any one your Business." — Education continued. — St. Joseph's College, Bardstown. — Fight at St. Joseph's. — Fellow-students.

I' WAS born in Madison County, Kentucky, United States of America, October 19, 18 10, on the uplands of Tate's and Jack's creeks, near the Kentucky River. My mother, Sally Lewis Clay, was the daughter of Eliza and Thomas Lewis, descended from Scotch and English ancestors — Douglas being a family name to this day. My grand-parents had a large family of sons and daughters, of fine minds and physique. One of my aunts married James Garrard, Governor of Kentucky, and another John T. Johnson, long time member of Congress, and the nephew of Richard M. Johnson, Vice-President of the United States. My great-grandfather, Edward Payne, was a contemporary of George Washington, and is honorably named by Mr. Weems, in his life of the Father of his Country. My grand-parents were born in Virginia; and lived at the large spring, about four miles north-west from Lexington, Kentucky, till their death. My father, Green Clay, was born in Powhattan County, Virginia, August 14, 1757, and died October 31, 1826.

My uncle, Ezekiel Clay, was an Episcopalian clergyman ; and uncle Matthew Clay was the contemporary of Thomas Jefferson, often a member of Congress, and his friend. Matthew was a man of fine person, and quite noted for his prowess, in the old times, when the old-fashioned knock-down was deemed more honorable than the pistol and Bowie-knife. One of his daughters was distinguished for her beauty, and perished in the burned theatre of Richmond, Virginia, which at the time created a national sensation.

My grandfather was named Charles, his father Henry, and his father again Charles, who, with his two brothers, Henry and Thomas, came to America in "the times of Queen Elizabeth, with Sir Walter Raleigh, and remained here, each having received ^10,000 from their father, Sir John Clay, of Wales." So says Porter Clay, the halfbrother of Henry Clay, in 1848. But I believe I have the only reliable record of the Clay family extant. It is written on blank leaves in the "Works of Samuel Johnson, London, 1713." The oldest ancestor recorded is Charles Clay — no birth-date given.*

*"THE CLAY FAMILY."

An old letter, written in 1848, by the Rev. Porter Clay — then preaching at Alton, Illinois — gives the following facts in regard to the origin of the Clay family:

LETTER IN SAMUEL JOHNSON'S BOOK.

"Your wishes to know something about the history of our family could not be gratified in the limits of a letter. The following concise account must suffice. In the reign of Queen Elizabeth, .... Sir Walter Raleigh brought over to the Virginia plantations, among others, three brothers, sons of Sir John Clay, of

Wales, England. He gave them ^10,000 each They were named

Charles, Thomas, and Henry. They settled on James River, near Jamestown.

Charles and Thomas had large families. Henry had none; but the name has been

handed down with great tenacity in both families ever since. Cassius M. Clay

is a descendant of Charles Clay; Henry and myself from Thomas Clay."

Porter and Henry Clay were the sons of John Clay, no doubt named after the first John known of our family. I believe our families unite in my great-grandfather, Henry Clay, son of Charles, son of John, of Wales.

My "Speeches and Writings," edited by Horace Greeley, and

OF CASSIUS MARCELLUS CLAY.

My next ancestor, Henry Clay, oldest son of Charles and Mary Mitchell, was born in 1672. The other descending line is all regular, down to my own birth. It is evident that the Rev. Porter Clay speaks from tradition. At what time Henry Clay, the orator and statesman, enters this family-tree is not known. His father was John Clay, and that is all I know about it. He always called me "Cousin Cash." Porter Clay says I descended from Charles, of the three brothers. My family were remarkably long-lived — Henry dying in his eighty-ninth year, and my mother in her ninetieth year. I take but little interest in these antecedents; but I can not but be a little proud that I, through my mother and my Douglas blood, can claim to be of the same race as that Gordon who is now the noblest figure in our times.

I write in the house in which I was born. It is a wellburned brick structure, with heavy range work of Kentucky marble and grey limestone, and of the Grecian style, having three porticos of imperfect Corinthian and Doric columns. It was added to after 1861 ; but the old building, after the English manner, was preserved almost intact. Even at that day, though there were many homesteads, the original forests in near proximity to the mansion were almost unbroken by the axe. The tulip, walnut, ash, Kentucky coffee-bean, beech, and other magnificent trees, rose at places to sixty feet without a limb, with native vines carried up with their growth perhaps centuries old. The surface, ever undulating, was clothed in the ravines with the native cane, twelve feet or more high, as seemingly impenetrable as an East India jungle. But most of the surface under the trees was bare, and brown with fallen leaves the year round, covered with exquisite wild flowers in summer, and steady light snows in winter. The plum, the black haw, the May-apple, the

published by Harper Brothers, New York, 1848, has grave errors — as the manuscript proof was never revised by me — which are here corrected. C. 1885.

paw-paw, fhe persimmon, the hickory, the walnut, hackberries, and wild grapes were found in profusion. The rivulets, in almost every ravine, were ever fresh and perennial from the vast reservoir of the forest humus ; and fish were found in the very springs, as they bubbled up in never-ceasing music ; whilst birds of every color and song, the chattering squirrel, and the scream of the hawk, made all nature harmonious in its full development.

Our family is the first of the human race, so far as we know, that ever claimed fee simple in this soil, as my father was the first white man that ever, by pre-occupation and culture, and civic title, claimed ownership ; the natives never having assumed proprietary rights in the "Dark and Bloody Ground," which was the common hunting place of all the tribes of the now surrounding States.