The life and public services of Henry Clay, down to 1848

Front matter

spre} ia i fag

5 ooh life lifepu hi &

. Pe 2 ‘ THE es AND PUBLIC SERVICES

Introduction

SeveraL sketches, more or less elaborate, of the Character and Career of Henry Cray, appeared during his life-time, oftener prefixed to collections of his Speeches ; though one independent Memoir, of decided merit, was written more than twenty years since by Grorce D. Prenticz, Editor of the Lowisville Journal, and then widely disseminated. That, however, has long been out of print, while the more eventful and memorable half of Mr. Clay’s biography was yet in the future when Mr. Prentice wrote. And I have reason to believe that Mr. Clay himself gave the preference, among all the narratives of his life which _had fallen under his notice, to that of Eprs Sarcent, first issued in 1842, and republished, with its author’s revisions and additions, in the summer of 1848.

The aim of Mr. Sargent was not so much to impart his own conception of Mr. Clay’s views and motives as to enable every reader to infer them directly from the Statesman’s own words, or those of his illustrious cotemporaries— whether adversaries or rivals. His work, therefore, is rather a collection of authentic materials for the future biographer than an original and exhaustive essay. For the time had not arrived—nay, has not yet arrived —for a final and authoritative analysis of Mr. Clay’s character, nor for a conclusive estimate of the nature, value, tendencies,

4 INTRODUCTION.

and results of his public measures. We Americans of 1852— nearly all of us who read or think, with many who do neither —are the heated partisans or embittered opponents of Mr. Clay — with him or against him, idolizing or detesting him, we have struggled through all the past decades of our manhood. He has been our demigod or demon through the last quarter of a century, while many of us date our admiration or our hostility from the year 1812. If, then, we can but preserve and intelligibly present the facts essential to a just estimate of Mr. Clay’ s character, we may very properly remit to the next generation the duty of analyzing those facts, and determining what manner of man was the Orator of Ashland whose voice enchained and wielded listening Senates, and whose weaponless hand was mightier than the truncheon of generals, or the scepter of monarchs. It is at least the duty of his surviving friends to take care that he be not misrepresented to and undervalued by posterity because the facts essential to his true appreciation were not seasonably collected and fitly set forth.

This, then, is the aim and end of the work herewith submitted —a candid presentation of the facts essential to a just estimate of Mr Clay's Life and Public Services, from the point of view whence they were regarded by his devoted, unselfish compatriots and friends. If he has been over-estimated, if the system of Public Policy which he so long and ably advocated be mistaken and unsound, time will so determine. Should the ultimate verdict be—as I think it can not—adverse to his eminence as a Statesman, it need not therefore blast his reputation as a Man. That he was a sincere and ardent Patriot, an earnest though unpretending Philanthropist, a beloved Husband and Father, a kind and just Neighbor, a chivalrous Adversary, and an unfailing Friend—these are no longer doubtful. So much, at least, is secure from the venom of calumny and the accidents of fortune. Let some future Plutarch or Thucydides fix and declare the world’s ultimate verdict on the American System and its Father ; but we, who knew and loved him well, may more truly and vividly, even though awkwardly and feebly, depict how looked and felt, how spoke and acted, how lived and loved, the man Henry Clay.

INTRODUCTION. 5

The Editor, in revising the work of Mr. Sargent, has taken the responsibility of omitting or modifying some passages which | involved harsh judgments of those Political brethren who, at one time or another, have seen fit to prefer some other Whig to Mr. . Clay as a candidate forthe Presidency. He did not perceive that those judgments bore any proper relation to Mr. Clay’s character or career, while their reproduction would tend to revive feuds and heart-burnings now happily laid to rest. “That Mr. Clay might have been elected President in 1840, had he been nominated by the Harrisburg Convention, may very readily be affirmed at this time, by men who had ample reason to doubt it at the gloomy close of the Elections of 1839. It was far easier to demonstrate, not in that year only, that Mr. Clay deserved to be President than that he would be a successful candidate. And there is nothing in this which, rightly considered, proves Whig principles obnoxious or Mr. Clay unpopular. Among the Three Million Voters of our Republic, a majority in favor of every feature in a comprehensive, affirmative, positive, vigorous system of Public Policy, can rarely be expected. One who assents to the general outline will object to this detail, another to that, and so on; while a great many decline fatiguing their brains with any thorough study or investigation, but jump at the conclusion that the truth lies somewhere between the contending parties, and probably about half way. Thus the expounder, the champion, the ‘embodiment’ of either party founded on great principles of public policy and logical in their adherence thereto, is almost certain to lose the votes of the great body of twaddlers, fencemen, and others who split the difference between the contending hosts, though his nomination has evoked the profoundest enthusiasm, and been hailed with unbroken acclamation. Let those who still marvel that Mr. Clay, while so popular a man, was not a successful candidate, consider what would have been the chance of Mr. Calhoun’s election, had that eminent Statesman been nominated against his great antagonist in 1844, or indeed at any time. He would not have received one-fourth of the Electoral Votes ; and yet Mr. Calhoun was the truest and ablest exponent the Country has known of the Political creed antagonist to that of Mr. Clay.

6 INTRODUCTION.

With regard to the important questions which have more recently agitated the Republic, especially those relating to or involved in the Compromise, the Editor has endeavored to place them fairly and clearly before the reader, so far at least, as was deemed necessary to a thorough understanding of Mr. Clay’s course. If, in the absence of authorities and the haste of preparation, injustice has been done to any one, or any important fact has been overlooked, he solicits corrections, and. will be happy to embody them in the Life.

One point may as well be here noted. . It has recently been stated with confidence, by one who has in this. case no conceivable motive for falsehood, that Mr. Clay was actually born in 1775, and so was two years older than he has hitherto been, and in the body of this work still is, represented. Improbable as this story would seem, it 1s not utterly devoid of corroboration. Should investigation establish its correctness, it will of eourse be readily conformed to in future editions of this work, should such be demanded.

And thus inviting correction, but by no means deprecating unfriendly criticism,—conscious that haste and a complication of engrossing duties have marred the execution of his work, but confident that the illustrious subject will nevertheless be found faithfully and clearly depicted in this volume, the Editor closes his task and solicits for its performance only that it be tried by the standard of its own modest aims, rather than by that of the critic’s preconception of what its aims should have been.

He. 1G.

New-York, July 17, 1852.

Chapter I

Birth and Parentage—His Early Days—The Mill Boy of the Slashes—Studies Law— Hears Patrick Henry—Removes to Kentucky—Debut at a Debating Society—Becomes a Successful Practitioner—Cases in which he distinguishes himseli—He advocates the Policy of gradually Emancipating the Slaves in Kentucky—Opposes the Alien and Sedition Laws—Is elected to the General Assembly—Instances of his Eloquence—Affair with Col. Daviess—Appears at the Bar for Aaron Burr—Subsequent Tie iglerra Wit MOTRIN e We VOD capcieeaimcnintaatoimainisiae eeteiaatetals selina al eieteraia eieiera aiais

CHAPTER IL.

Elected to the Senate of the United States—His First Speech in Favor of Internal Improyements—Is chosen Speaker of the Kentucky House of Assembly—Speeches and Reports—Resolutions in Favor of American Manufactures—Duel with Humphrey Marshall—His Sentiments in Regard to Duelling—Takes his Seat a Second Time in the United States Senate—Speaks in Behalf of Domestic Manufactures—Lays the Foundation of the American System—Speech on the Line of the Perdido— Labors of the Session—Third Session of the Eleventh Congress—The United States Bank—He becomes a Member of the United States House of Representatives—Is chosen Speaker on the first Ballot—Critical State of Public Affairs—Is in Favor of a War with Great Britain—Speech on the Bill for raising Troops—On a Naval Establishment—Carries his Measures—Our Naval Successes...--- 220-2 2-22-22 ceeeee ceca

Chapter III

Mr. Clay prefers a Seat in the House to one in the Senate—Reasons for making him Speaker—The President recommends an Embargo—The Measure opposed by John Randolph and Josiah Quincy—Defended by Mr. Clay—His Intercourse with Randolph—War declared—The Leaders in the House—Mr. Cheves aud Mr. Gallatin— Mr. Clay appointed to confer with President Madison—Anecdotes—Events of the War—Motives—Federal Abuse—Clay’s Reply to Quincy—Effects of his Eloquence— Passage of the Army Bill—Madison re-elected President—Mr. Clay resigns the Speaker’s Chair, being appointed Commissioner to Ghent—His Services during the

Chapter IV

Meeting of the Ghent Commissioners—Mr. Clay visits Brussels—Anecdote—Mode of transacting Business—Untoward Event—Mr. Clay refuses to surrender to the British the Right to navigate the Mississippi—His Reasons—Controversy between Messrs.

Adams and Russell—Mr. Clay’s Letter—Goes to Paris—Is introduced to the Duke of Wellington by Madame de Stacl—Hears of the Battle of New Orleans—Visits England—Lord Castlereagh and his First Waiter—Waterloo and Napoleon—Mr. Clay’s Reception in England—Declines going to Court—Sir James Mackintosh—Lord Gambier, &c.—Mr, Clay’s Return to New York—Reception—Re-elected to Congress— Vindication of the War—Internal Improvements—His Country, his Whole Country...52

Chapter V

Recharter of the United States Bank—Mr. Clay’s Views in 1811 and 1816—Scene in the House with Randolph—The Compensation Bill—Canvasses his District—Skirmish with Mr. Pope—The Old Hunter and his Rifle—The Irish Barber—Repeal of the Compensation Bill—South American Indepeudence—Iinternal Improvements—Mr. Clay’s Relations with Mr. Madison—Intention of Madison at one Time to appoint him Commander-in-Chief of the Army—E lection of James Monroe—Mr., Clay carries his Measures in Behalf of the South American States—Ilis Eloquent Appeals—His Efforts successful—His Speeches read at the Head of the South American Armies— Letter trom: Bolivar, andi@lay/s\itephy sj clet sale 5 aj ao Sp nial =e eeie wi orrenenee eecie eS 64

Chapter VI

Internal Improvement—Mr. Monroe’s Constitutional Objections—Mr. Clay replies to them—Congress adopts his Principles—The Cumberland Road—Anecdote—Monument—Discussion of General Jackson’s Conduct in the Seminole Campaign—Mr. Clay’s Opinions of that Chieftain in 1819—A Prophetic Glimpse—Mr. Adams and General Jackson—The Father of the American System—Bill to regulate Duties, &c. —Mr. Clay’s Speech in Behalf of the Protective Policy—His Great Speech of 1824— Passage of the Tariff Bill—Results of his Policy—Voice of the Country—His unremitted Exertions—Randolph’s Sarcasms—Anecdote ..-... 22. --- eee eee n en een en ccees 79

Chapter VII

The Missouri Question—Mr. Clay resigns the Speakership—The Union in Danger—He resumes his Seat in Congress—Unparallelled Excitement—His Compromise of the Question—Pacification of Parties—Character of his Efforts—Proposition of John

- Randolph and some of the Southern Members—Interview with Randolph—Anecdotes—Randolph and Sheftey—Mr. Clay’s Retirement from Congress—Derangement of his Private Affairs—Return to the House—Again chosen Speaker—Jeu d’Esprit—

Mr. Clay’s Address—Independence of Greece—His Speech—Labors during the Session of 1824—Reception of Lafayette in the House—Welcomed by Mr. Clay—Lafayette’s Reply—Lafayette’s Wish to see Mr. Clay President—Anecdote—Mr. Clay and MreMOnroe’ coaciemiwcicn'ee cae ceuis came sistioe cen ae scecmwisics sae s\sin sie ns oe sjeicviniec/scicine = 88

CHAPTER VIIL

The Presidential Question—Nomination of Mr. Clay—His- Qualifications set forth— General Harrison in favor of Henry Clay—Slanders in the House—Kremer’s Letter— Monstrous Nature of the Charges against Mr. Clay—His Course in Regard to them— Appointment of a Commitee of Examination—Complete Refutation of the Calumny—

Mr. Clay’s Address to his Constituents—Election of John Quincy Adams by the House—Exasperation of Gen. Jackson’s Friends—Mr. Clay's Independence of Spirit— Motives of his Preference—Gen. Lafayette substantiates his Assertions—Mr. Clay appointed Secretary of State—Views of this Act—Slander temporary—Justice inevitable—His Character as Speaker—Anecdotes, &C.....0--s2cce- seen en cecec ee cecees 102

Chapter IX

Account of Mr. Clay’s Intercourse with General Jackson—Beverley Carter’s Letter— General Jackson the Accuser of Mr. Clay—Mr. Buchanan—Final Refutation of the Slander—Mr, Adams’s Testimony—Repeated more strongly in 1843—Opposition to Mr. Adams’s Administration—Its Character—John Randolph’s Assaults—His Duel with Mr. Clay—Last Interview with Mr. Clay in 1833—Impaired State of Mr. Clay’s Health—Qualifications for the Secretaryship—The Panama Instructions—Objects proposed in the Panama Congress—Mr. Clay’s Letter to Mr. Middletcn—His Negotiations while Secretary of State—Treaties—Documents from his Pen—Policy of Mr. Adams’s Administration—Coalition of the Opposition—Their Consistency—The Colonial Bill—Mr. Van Buren—Modes of Attack—Federalism and Democracy—Jacksonism and Federalism identified—Presidential Election of 1828—Choice of Andrew Jackson—Economy under Adams, Jackson, and Van Buren-——Mr. Cley’s Views toward the new Administration—He leaves Washington—-Gross Attempt to injure his: Private Credit-—His. Letter to. R. Wicklitte; Hsgqs-2c4- Sas det ede seasec teen oe 112

Chapter X

Mr. Clay’s Return to Kentucky—Triumphant Reception—Public Dinners—Speeches— Mr. Clay and the Colonization Society—His Sentiments on Slavery—Abolition Petitions—Visit to New Orleans—Natchez—Complimentary Reception by the Louisiana House of Representatives—Visit to Ohio—Dines with the Mechanics at Columbus— His Election to the United States Senate in 1831—Nomination to the Presidency— The Taritf(—Defence of the American System—Mr. Clay’s Estimate of the Irish Character—Reduction of Duties—Letier of T. H. Benton. ......202sccccceccecnnencenne 130

Chapter XI

Reception of the Amended Tariff at the South—Progress of Nullification—Re-Election of General Jackson—Proclamation—The Protective System in Danger—The Enforcement Bill—Perilous State of Affairs—Henry Clay comes Forward with his Plan for a Compromise—Origin of that Measure—Particulars in Regard to it—Mr, Clayton of Delaware—Anecdote—Leading Motives of Mr. Clay—Statement of Hon. H. A. S. Dearborn—Passage of the Compromise Bill—Public Gratitude—Characteristics of Mr. Clay’s Public Career—His Visit to New-England—Triumphal Reception—Hon- OFA Wald con iad OMe MAS MNOULE) eee = a's sicie <iects cis wicia’ Sec cew ives Acisnuecd ew aaceencucec. 138

CHAPTER XT.

The Public Lands—Anecdote—Mr. Clay’s Report—lIts Provisions—Passage of the Land Bill—It is Vetoed by Gen. Jackson—Right of the Old States to a Share in the Public Domain—Mr. Clay’s Efforts—Adjustment of the Question—Mr, Van Buren’s Nomination as Minister to England—Opposed by Mr. Clay. 5...0..-202-2sscecceccescencces 148

Chapter XIII

The Currency Question—General Jackson’s “Humble Efforts” to improve our Condition—Recharter of the United States Bank, and the President’s Veto—Mr. Clay’s Speech upon the Subject—Character of the Veto Power—Removal of the Deposites —Secretaries Duane and Taney—Mr. Clay’s Relations toward the Bank—His Resolutions in Regard to the Removal of the Deposites—His Speech—Anecdote—Passage of Mr. Clay’s Resolutions—The Protest—Its Doctrines—Eloquent Debates in the Senate—Mr. Leigh—Interesting Incident—The Protest excluded from the Journal— Unremitted Exertions of Mr. Clay—Public Distress—Memorials—Forcible Comparison—The Panic Session—Anecdote—Mr. Clay’s Departure for Kentucky—Serious PRCCLUCN ene seme e sales cctalcenaam as aa aete eel maniac octets tre aieinras's ciesie'v alu sisleinisiule ais 155

Chapter XIV

Our Claims on France—Hostile Tone of General Jackson’s Message of 1834—Recommends Reprisals—Mr, Clay’s Report on the Subject—Discussion—Unanimous Adoption of his Resolution—Effect of the Message—Speech on presenting the Cherokee

Memorial—Executive Patronage—The Cumberland Road.........--+eee------eeee-

Chapter XV

Settlement of our French Affairs—Mr, Clay’s Land Bill—His Speech—Passage of the Bill in the Senate—Abolition Petitions—Mr. Clay vindicates the Right of Petition— The Deposite Banks—Prediction—Independence cf Texas—Various Questions— Return to Kentucky—Re-eleeted Senator in 1836—State of the Country in 1829 and 1836—A Contrast—Administration Majority in the Senate—Mr. Calhoun’s Land Bill— Opposition of Mr. Clay—Tarit—His two Compromises—The Specie Circular—Its

Chapter XVI

Presidential Campaign of 1836—Mr. Clay declines being a Candidate—Result—Mr Van Buren’s Policy—A Retrospect—Democratic Doctrine—Issue of the ‘“ Experiment”—The Extra Session—Mr, Van Buren’s Message—The Sub-Treasury Scheme— Indications of a Split in the House—Discussion of the Sub-Treasury Bul—Mr. Clay’s Speeches—His Resolution in Relation to a Bank—Treasury-Notes—Session of 1837-8 —Defeat of the 8ub-Treasury Measure—Mr. Clay’s Review of the Financial Projects of the Administration—Various Subjects—His Outline of a Plan for a National Bank —Mr. Clay’s Course on the Abolition Question—His Visit to New York in the Summer of 1839—Cordial Reception, by the People, of the “ Man of the People”.......-.

Chapter XVII

The Harrisburg Convention—Mr. Clay the Choice of the People—Presidential Contests of 1824 and 1832—1ntrigues in the Convention—Means employed to thwart the Nomination of Mr. Clay—Organization of the Convention—Nomination of General Harrison—Acquiescence of the Kentucky Delegation—Mr. Clay’s Letter—Remarks of Gov. Barbour, Mr. Leigh, Mr. Livingston—John Tyler nominated for the Vice-

Presidency—Grounds of the Nomination). comme. nsvinewlecemcrisealcamlvctenesiscmsals =o

_ CHAPTER XVIIL

Mr. Clay again in Congress—Passage with Mr. Calhoun—Reconciliatory Incident—The Bankrupt Bill, &c.—The Sub-Treasury again—A Government Bank—Mr. Clay visits his native County of Hanover—His Speech—Proposed Reforms—He addresses the Harrison Convention at Nashville—Democracy—Born a Democrat—Reminiscence of a Revolutionary Incident........... Sie serate oe aaae tala mto re eveioie io ataiaters aia de etc mic iere ee rnierats

Chapter XIX

Election of General Harrison—He visits Mr. Clay—Second Session of the Twenty-Sixth Congress—Inauguration and Death of General Harrison—The Extra Session—Mr. Clay’s Labors—John Tyler’s Veto of the Bank Bill—Mr. Clay’s Eloquent Speech in Reply to Mr, Rives—The Van Buren Men in Congress call to congratulate John Tyler on his Veto—Mr. Clay’s Fanciful Description of the Scene—Events succeeding the Veto—More Vetoes—The Tarifi—Mr. Clay resigns his Seat in the Senate—

Chapter XX

Return to Kentucky—Speech at Lexington—Visits Indiana—Scene with Mr. Mendenhall—Remarks on Slavery—Personal Matters—Slanders refuted—The Dayton Convention—Visit to the Southwest—Triumphal Progress—Return Home—Contemplated Visit to the Southeast—Letters on the Tariff—Letter to the Whigs of Fayette County, Va., in Regard to John Tyler—Again visits New Orleans—Addresses the Whig Convention—Leaves New Orleans on his Way to North Carolina.........---.---------. aul

Chapter XXI

A Retrospect—The Harrisburg Convention—A Mistake committed—Mr. Clay’s Relations toward Gen, Harrison—Anecdotes—Mr. Clay and John Tyler....----.-------- 219

Chapter XXII

Mr. Clay is nominated for the Presidency—He returns to Kentucky—The Texas Question, and his Views upon it—Their Fulfilment—The Annexation Scheme—The Whig Conventions at Baltimore—Mr. Clay accepts the Nomination for the Presidency— The Democratic Convention—Party Preparations—Old Slanders revived—The Elec- SMES CCM COU See bite osc) ato sini as ties ne wicinis viele o's/e'c wie Mnlalsieis elm wasted wainieisieln acer 226

Chapter XXIII

How the Whigs were defeated—The Foreign Vote—Native Americanism—The Liberty Party and Mr, Birney—False and contradictory Issues—Misrepresentations— Frauds—Opposition to Registry Law presumptive Proof—Public Confidence in Mr. COT Nara asatmteres tai x are ava. else eiciscem Sunni oul setie oj ere aleve se he mintses nin) 40) aiaielarels ats sians sian, totemeretsss 247

Chapter XXIV

The Consequences of the Election—The War—How commenced—Mr. Gallatin’s Statement—Mr. Clay on the War—Comparison with the Last War—The Twenty-Ninth Congress—State of the Country—The Tariff and the Sub-Treasury, &c. ....-....--- 258

CHAPTER XXYV.

Testimonials in Honor of Mr. Clay—Instance of the Devotion’ of his Friends—His Address on receiving a Vase from Ladies of Tennessee—A Visiter’s Description of Mr. Clay at Ashland—Mr. Clay visits New Orleans and St. Louis—A Misrepresentation noticed—His Appeal in Behalf of famishing Ireland..-...........-----0----e00- 266

Chapter XXVI

Successes of our Army in Mexico—Buena Vista—Mr. Clay receives News of his Son’s Death—Letter of General Taylor announcing the Event—Mr, Clay joins the Church —His Visit to Cape May—Address of the New York Delegates, and his Reply 275

CHAPTER XXXVI.

Mr. Clay’s Speech and Resolutions at Lexington on the Mexican War—The Response LLOMMEN CUR COP Omer etans Corte aie ate nie cere hase a rae te es watt Means ca taiy eek sas ae 283

Chapter XXVIII

Mr. Clay in Washington—His Address before the Colonization Society—His Appearance in the Supreme Court—He visits the White House—Anecdotc—The Castle- Garden Meeting—Death of Mr. Adams—Mr. Clay in Philadelphia, in New York, &c. ..292

Chapter XXIX

Mr. Clay’ 3 Professional Career—Chief-Justice Marshall’s Opinion of him—Personal Details—His Popularity, and the Secret of it—Traits of Character—Richard M. Johnson’s Eulogy upon him—Mr. Clay’s Habits cf Life—His Wife and Children—Domestic and Social Relations—Conclusion......-.-.0..---+.---<-- NetateleVete aa elsteves plain era 315

CHAPTER XX Mr. Clay again a Candidate for the Whig Presidential Nomination (1848)—His Popularity and Unpepularity—His former Defeats—Cbjections to General Taylor—The Philadelphia Convention—Its Ballote—Gen. Taylor nominated—Mr. Clay’s Course— Ay LOLA urlMOTeCleChed eo. meer oem iatetayste ela sala (c a oe eiereareycete rae es Aeeetaiae 322

CHAPTER XXXII.

Mr, Clay returned to the Senate—Opening of the XXXIst Congress—Defeat of Winthrop for Speaker—Mr. Clay on Gen. Cass’s Anti-Austrian Resolution—On Congres- Blane Honors toeceased (Members) << 5a pmers = cis oisieie a isiomin osin aie alone simiayrinya oh anette’ 329

CHAPTER XXXII.

Retrospective Glance at the Annexation Struggle—Origin and Grounds of the War with Mexico—Slavery in the Territories—The Wilmot Proviso—The Disputed Boundary of Texas—The Democracy committed to the Pretensions of ‘fexas—therefore disabled for resisting the Extension of Slavery—Peril of New Mexico....--.-..-.----- 334

CHAPTER XXXII.

Mr. Clay proposes a Compromise—Its Character and Provisions—His Speech in Exposition—Protests of Messrs, Foote, Mason, Jefferson Davis, Downs, Berrien, Butler, &c.—Progress of the Discussion—Formaticn and Report of the Committee of Thirteen—Discussion and Defeat of the ‘Omnibus Bill’—Its Passage in Fragments— Miri lay BODICCES a2 oie ao ain as re atta eo Se trie at ISe sin siswine winwita ers sen clo anieiees oe 339

CHAPTER XXXIV.

Session of 1850-’51—Mr. Clay on the Tariff Question—The Great Struggle on the River and Harbor Bill—Authors and Means of its Defeat—Mr. Clay’s Efforts to pass it— Dodges and Dodgers—Close of Mr. Clay’s Legislative Career ........--.-0-+------- 355

CHAPTER XXXYV.

Executive or Called Session—Constructive Mileage—Mr. Clay’s Compromise Letter to his New York Friends—XXXIId Congress—Mr, Clay’s Health failing—His Intervievpwith Kossuth—He prefers Mr. Fillmore for President—Gradually sinks—His Helisious © onvactions—His Death c/n 8 cones s oa atyses ok ewieine oo eh rie wce'sisiste cw tins 365

CHAPTER XXXVI.

Announcement in the Senate and House—Remarks of Messrs. Underwood, Cass, Hunter, Hale, Clemens, Cooper, Seward, G. W. Jones, and W. Brooke, in the Senate—Prayer of the Chaplain—Remarks of Messrs. Breckinridge, Ewing, Caskie, Chandler, Bayly, Venable, Haven, James Brooks, Faulkner, Parker, Gentry, Bowie, and Walsh, in the House—Funeral at the Capitol—Rev. Mr. Butler’s Sermon—Departure of the Funeral Cortége—Its Reception in Baltimore, Washington, New York, Albany, ‘Cincinnati, ce! —Puneral at Lexington) sos caceses icles aelisoeice sicismics vain 371

SELECT SPrEEcHES oF Mr. Cray— On the Emancipation of South America (1818) -...-...----.e--ceee- pavetcloilele(eteais-« 425 On the Protection of Home Industry (1824) /....-.---0-cccoccenas eeminiereieelaielceie's 449 POETIC TRIBUTES...---se-00 serene --cceccce Sbascayacuundeanenss FSG Sbet TEE Neee 488

PRE

OF

Reber Yo er Ay

Chapter I

Henry Cray is a native of Hanover county, Virginia. He was born on the 12th of April, 1777, in a district of country familiarily known in the neighborhood as the Slashes. His father, a baptist clergyman, died during the revolutionary war, bequeathing a small and much-embarrassed estate and seven children, of whom Henry was the fifth, to the care of an affectionate mother. ‘The surviving parent did not possess the means to give her sons a classical education; and the subject of our memoir received no other instruction than such as could be obtained in the log-cabin school-houses, still common in the lower parts of Virginia, at which spelling, reading, writing, and arithmetic, are taught.

In 1792, his mother, who had become united, in a second marriage, with Mr. Henry Watkins, removed to Woodford county, Kentucky, taking all her children, with the exception of Henry and his oldest brother. It was always a subject of regret with Mr. Clay, that he was deprived at so early an age of his mother’s counsel, conversation, and care. She was a woman of great strength of mind, and was tenderly attached to her children.

He had been only five years old when he lost his father; and, consequently, his circumstances in early life, if not actually indigent, were such as to subject him frequently to hard manual labor. He has ploughed in cornfields, many a summer-day, without shoes, and with no other clothes on than a pair of Osnaburg trowsers, and a coarse shirt. He has often gone to mill with grain to be ground into meal or flour; and there are those who remember his youthful visits to Mrs. Darricott’s mill, on the Pamunkey river. On such occasions he generally rode a horse without a saddle, while a rope supplied the place of a bridle. But in the absence of a more splendid equipment, a bag containing three or four bushels of wheat or corn was generally thrown across the horse’s back, mounted upon which the future statesman would go to mill, get the grain ground, and return with it home.

At the age of fourteen, he was placed in a small retail store, kept by Mr. Richard Denny, near the market-house in the city of Richmond. He remained here till the next year (1792), when he was transferred to the office of the clerk of the high court of chancery, Mr Peter Tinsley. ‘There he became acquainted with the venerable Chancellor Wythe, attracted his friendly attention, and enjoyed the benefit of his instruction and conversation. ‘The chancellor being unable to write well, in consequence of the gout or rheumatism in his right thumb, bethought himself of employing his young friend as an amanuensis. This was a fortunate circumstance for the fatherless boy. His attention was thus called to the structure of sentences, as he wrote them down from the dictation of his employer; and a taste for the study of grammar was created which was noticed and encouraged by the chancellor, upon whose recommendation he read Harris’s Hermes, Tooke’s Diversions of Purley, Bishop Lowth’s Grammar, and other similar works.

For his handwriting, which is still remarkably neat and regular, Mr. Clay was chiefly indebted to Mr. Tinsley. Chancellor Wythe was devoted to the study of Greek. He was at one time occupied in preparing reports of his decisions, and commenting upon those of the court of appeals, by which some of his were reversed ; and in this work he was assisted by his amanuensis. After the reports were published, he sent copies to Mr. Jefferson, John Adams, Samuel Adams, and others. In these copies he employed Henry Clay to copy particular passages from Greek authors, to whom references had been made. Not understand-

REMOVES TO KENTUCKY. 15 ing a single Greek character, the young copyist had to transcribe by imitation letter after letter. j .

Leaving the office of Mr. Tinsley the latter part of 1796, he went to reside with the late Robert Brooke, Esq., the attorney-general, formerly governor of Virgimia. His only regular study of the law was during the year 1797, that he lived with Mr. Brooke ; but it was impossible that he should not, in the daily scenes he witnessed, and in the presence of the eminent men whom he so often heard and saw, be in the way of gathering much valuable legal information. During his residence of six or seven years in Richmond, he became acquainted with all or most of the eminent Virginians of the period, who lived in that city, or were in the habit of resorting to it—with Edmond Pendleton, Spencer Roane, Chief-Justice Marshall, Bushrod Washington, Wickham, Call, Copeland, &c. On two occasions, he had the good fortune to hear Patrick Henry—once, before the circuit court of the United States for the Virginia district, on the question of the payment of the British debts ; and again before the house of delegates of Virginia, on the claim of the supernumerary officers in the service of the state during the revolutionary war. Mr. Clay remembers that remarkable man, his appearance and his manner, distinctly. The impression of his eloquent powers remaining on his mind is, that their charm consisted mainly in one of the finest voices ever heard, in his graceful gesticulation, and the variety and force of expression which he exhibited in his face.

Henry Clay quitted Richmond in November, 1797, his eldest brother having died while he yet resided in that city. Bearing a license from the judges of the Virginia court of appeals to practise law, he established himself in Lexington, Kentucky. He was without patrons, without the countenance of influential friends, and destitute of the means of paying his weekly board. “‘T remember,” says he, in his speech of June, 1842, at Lexington, “how comfortable I thought I should be, if I could make £100 Virginia money per year; and with what delight I received the first fifteen-shilling fee. My hopes were more than realized. I immediately rushed into a lucrative practice.”

Before assuming the active responsibilities of his profession, he devoted himself with assiduity several months to his legal studies. Even at that period the bar of Lexington was eminent for its ability. Among its members were George Nicholas, James Hughes, John Breckenbridge, James Brown, William Murray, and others, whose reputation was sufficient to discourage the most stout-hearted competition. But true genius is rarely unaccompanied by a consciousness of its power; and the friendless and unknown youth from Virginia fearlessly entered the field, which, to a less intrepid spirit, would have seemed preoccupied. He soon commanded consideration and respect. He was familiar with the technicalities of practice ; and early habits of business and application, enabled him to effect an easy mastery of the cases intrusted to his charge. His subtle appreciation of character, knowledge of human nature, and faculties of persuasion, rendered him peculiarly successful in his appeals to a jury ; and he obtained great celebrity for his adroit and careful management of criminal cases.

An anecdote is related of him about the time of his first entrance upon his profession, which shows that, notwithstanding his fine capacities, he had some native diffidence to overcome before they were fairly tested. He had joined a debating society, and at one of the meetings the vote was about to be taken upon the question under discussion, when he remarked in a low but audible whisper, that the subject did not appear to him to have been exhausted.

“Do not put the question yet—Mr. Clay will speak,” exclaimed a member, who had overheard the half-hesitating re- ‘mark.

The chairman instantly took the hint, and nodded to the young lawyer in token of his readiness to hear what he had to say. With every indication of extreme embarrassment, he rose, and in his confusion, began by saying: “ Gentlemen of the jury” —unconsciously addressing his fellow-members as the tribunal, to which he had perhaps often made imaginary appeals in his dreams of a successful debit at the bar. His audience did not add to his agitation by seeming to notice it, and, after floundering and blushing for a moment or two, and stammering out a repetition of the words, “ Gentlemen of the jury,” he suddenly shook off all