Description:

Henry Clay
Washington, D.C., December 22, 1838
H. Clay Warns "our friends had better not be too confident in the Country" on Sub Treasury Scheme to Hamilton's Son
ALS
Autograph letter signed, Washington, D.C., dated December 22, 1838, from Henry Clay and sent to "Col. A. Hamilton." In this letter, Clay discusses the likely defeat of the Sub-Treasury scheme and advises caution, stating that "our friends had better not be too confident in the Country, so as to prevent the expression of their disapprobation of the Scheme." Expected folds, boldly signed. The ALS measures 8" x 6.75."

In full:

"My Dear Sir:

I am in answer to you, in our correspondence, and by your indulgence. I laughed heartily at the caricatures which you were good enough to send me. They bore a sufficient resemblance of the originals.

We are to have the Sub-Treasury again. As yet, I perceive no reason to doubt that it will be defeated again; but our friends had better not be too confident in the Country, so as to prevent the expression of their disapprobation of the Scheme. It is a most curious thing that every case of a new defection is attempted to be converted into an argument in favor of it.

The love & respect of our friends are good; I have informed since the commencement of the Session.

With sincere & faithful regard,

H. Clay."

The Sub-Treasury Scheme, also known as the Independent Treasury System, was a 19th-century U.S. financial policy designed to separate federal government finances from private banking institutions. Proposed by President Martin Van Buren in 1837 following the Panic of 1837, the system aimed to establish independent treasuries, or "sub-treasuries," in major cities where government funds would be stored, rather than depositing them in private banks. This approach sought to reduce the government's reliance on private banks, mitigate the risk of bank failures affecting federal funds, and create a more stable financial framework for managing federal money. The Sub-Treasury System became law in 1840 but was repealed in 1841 under President John Tyler, only to be re-established in 1846 under President James K. Polk, remaining in effect until the Federal Reserve System's establishment in 1913, which provided a more modern and centralized banking system.

The letter was sent to James Alexander Hamilton, the third son of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton. Hamilton was involved in law and politics, serving in various roles, including as acting Secretary of State under Andrew Jackson. Given his prominence and connection to financial and political matters of the time, Clay's correspondence with him is very intriguing, especially on matters such as the Sub-Treasury Scheme.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 8" x 6.75"
  • Medium: ALS

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