Description:

Clay Henry 1777 - 1852 Henry Clay ALS ironically consoling another about the " ... uncertainty of popular elections"

Bifold letter inscribed front and back of one side with blank third and fourth pages, signed "I am truly your friend, H. Clay" at bottom right corner of inner page. Buff colored letter inscribed in black ink addressed to "My dear Sir" and written from Ashland, Kentucky on August 7, 1846. In very fine condition, with expected wear including paper folds as well as some light browning and scattered foxing. Two pieces of tape are adhered at top and bottom left corners of first page, each page measuring 7.875" x 9.875".

Henry Clay pens a gracious and charming letter to his correspondent "Mr. C.C. Claiborne, Esq" from Ashland, his brick mansion in north central Kentucky, during the summer of 1846. Clay the Southern planter easily converses about topics of human interest, like the summer climate, his wife's camellias shipped in from Philadelphia, and even his correspondent's unbroken horse currently housed at the Ashland stable; Clay the seasoned politician weighs in with comments about recent political news and the nature of democracy.

"I lament that there is so much ground for your complaints on account of the state of public affairs. Even since the date of your letter [June 28, 1846], new causes of dissatisfaction have occurred at Washington. If the measures which have been adopted there do not break down the dominant party, we may indeed despair of the Country. But I cannot help thinking that it has sealed its fate. Nous verrons [trans: We shall see]"



"I am truly sorry for the defeat of your uncle L. Watkins. It furnishes a further proof of the uncertainty of popular elections, and how much better it is to rely on ones [sic] own exertions than public office. I sent a letter for your uncle to your care, introducing him to Genl Taylor, which I hope came safely to hand".

In 1846, Henry Clay (1777-1852) had almost thirty years of political experience, serving in both Kentucky and national politics. He was a well-known figure in Washington, DC, having served as Secretary of State to 6th U.S. president John Quincy Adams (1767-1848), Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, a Senator from Kentucky, and presidential candidate. Clay had unsuccessfully run for president in 1844, and indeed, he would try again two years after writing this letter. Clay disapproved of the ongoing Mexican War, sitting President James K. Polk (1795-1849), and the Democratic-Republican Party. His comments about Washington leadership are critical, showing an attitude of both melodrama ["despair ... sealed its fate"] and resignation ["We shall see"].

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