Description:

Henry Clay
Washington, DC, April 7, 1838
Henry Clay Twice Signed Letter Praising the Withdrawal of Support from Jackson's Presidency
ALS
A twice-signed autograph letter by Henry Clay regarding support for Andrew Jackson's presidency. 1p of a bifolium, measuring 7.5" x 9.75", Washington, D.C., dated April 7, 1838. Signed "H. Clay" at the conclusion of the letter and franked "Free H. Clay" on address leaf. Addressed to John Harris, in response to a letter from John Harris, who appears to have withdrawn his support for Andrew Jackson's presidency. Clay writes at length about the need to "return to principles" and the virtues of a restrained executive branch. With a black wax seal on the address leaf. Flattened mail folds with multiple closed tears and separations along fold-lines repaired with adhesive on verso. Some very light chipping to edges. Light age toning and moderate foxing. Mounting residue at verso corners. Boldly signed.

In part:

"…The motives which induced you to support the election of Genl Jackson as President of the U.S. were the same as those of thousands of other good men who contributed to his election. And thousands like you also have become sensible of the pernicious tendency of his Administration, and that of the Mr. Buren, and are now resolved to withdraw from its support. I have daily evidence of this. Having belonged myself always to the Republican party of 1789, one of whose cardinal maxims was to be jealous of the growth of Executive power and patronage, I have seen, with regret and alarm, the rapid strides made, during the Administration of Genl Jackson, to advance the Executive Department to the prejudice of the Legislative. I have, with unmixed satisfaction, the prospect of the return to our old principles. And I doubt not that I shall find many, like you, ready to co-operate heartily in the renewal."

Those in opposition to Andrew Jackson formed the Whig Party, and they stood in opposition to Jackson's expansion of executive power. The Whigs dubbed him "King Andrew the First", with Clay becoming a party leader as an outspoken critic of Jackson. The two men shared a bitter rivalry and remained enemies for the rest of Jackson's life.

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: 7.5" x 9.75"
  • Medium: ALS

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