Description:

Henry Clay
Ashland, KY, December 2, 1844
Henry Clay ALS Lamenting His Loss to James K. Polk in 1844 Election, He Ran and Lost 3 Times!
ALS
An autograph letter signed by Henry Clay on being "unexpectedly defeated" by James K. Polk in the 1844 election. 1p, measuring 7.75" x 9.75", Ashland, dated December 2, 1844. Signed "H. Clay" and addressed to Dudley Selden. Clay laments his recent loss to Polk in the 1844 presidential election. Addressed in Clay's hand on the final leaf. With flattened folds and light soiling. Some minor paper loss to the address page due to the removal of a wax seal. Boldly signed by Clay.

Reading in full:
"I am happy to receive a letter from you, conveying an assurance that, altho' we have been most unexpectedly defeated, all our friends manifested solidarity to one cause. I had no reason to doubt that such was the fact. Only one contrary inclination has been made to me, but as it was not specific, and was without any proof, it made no impression on me. We have failed, in consequence of the combination of the most extraordinary of circumstances. I suppose that no alternative is left to us but that of submission as well as we can, adherence to our principles and to one organization, and to exert one utmost endeavor yet to save our country. In the retirement, which I desire during the residue of my life, I can no but little. Whatever however I can do, in such a situation, ill be done cordially."

Democratic nominee James K. Polk won by a mere 5,106 votes out of 470,062 cast in New York, and only 3,422 out of 52,096 votes in Michigan. If enough of these voting blocks had cast their ballots for the anti-annexationist Clay in either state, he would have defeated Polk.

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: 7.75" x 9.75"
  • Medium: ALS

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March 12, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
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