Works of Henry Clay : comprising his life, correspondence, and speeches / ed. by Calvin Colton; with an introduction by Thomas B. Reed and a history of tariff legislation from 1812 to 1896 by William McKinley.

Digitized by tine Internet Arciiive in 2011 witii funding from The Institute of Museum and Library Services through an Indiana State Library LSTA Grant http://www.archive.org/details/worksofhenryclay04inclay WORKS OF HENRY CLAY CORRESPONDENCE i] ' I ',1,1 I! I ,, I'll II 1i 1 1 a..k\ III I I, ii|i|i , I ^i \:f il^' il,.. THOMAS JEFFERSON. WORKS OF HENRY CLAY Comprising His Life, Correspondence and Speeches EDITED BY CALVIN COLTON, LL.D. WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY THOMAS B. REED SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND A HISTORY OF TARIFF LEGISLATION FROM l8i2 TO 1896 BY WILLIAM Mckinley PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES COMPLETE IN SEVEN VOLUMES VOLUME IV NEW YORK HENRY CLAY PUBLISHING COMPANY MDCCCXCVII COPYRIGHT, 1896, BY THOMAS E. O'SHEA ALL RIGHTS RESERVED EDITOE'S PREFACE Mr. Clay was not in the habit of keeping copies of his own letters. It may easily be imagined, therefore, that the time and trouble required to collect original and authenticated copies, so as to compose an epistolary history of his life, have not been inconsiderable. From some three thousand documents, more or less, collected at Ashland and elsewhere, the editor has sifted and shaken out the correspondence contained in this volume. For the first fifteen years of the present cen- tury, down to the treaty of Ghent, embraced in the first chapter, very few of Mr. Clay's letters could be obtained. From that period they begin to appear more abundantly. It was thought proper to introduce letters of the correspondents of Mr. Clay to some extent, especially those of distinguished persons, and on occa- sions of especial interest. It was not possible generally to obtain the immediate counterparts of the correspondence. After having completed the Life and Times, the plan of the editor has been to present in this volume an epistolary history of the same period, and chiefly of the same things, as viewed by the parties in corres- pondence from their own closets, with no design on their part of furnishing material for history. It must be seen that such materials, from such hands, are of a very peculiar character, naturally attractive and inter- esting ; and some of them very instructive. They can- not but cast light on events, in some cases very im- portant, which could not otherwise be fully understood. There is a truthfulness in the abandon of private cor- respondence which the cautiousness of politicians and statesmen rarely betrays in their ordinary and public acts. Not a little of such material will be found in this volume. As the letters are generally presented in chrono- logical order, with constantly recurring chasms of other 11 EDITORS PREFACE. parts of the correspondence, and without any regard to their relations to each other, it is for the reader to connect them with history, as it may be found in the preceding volumes of this work and elsewhere. Some will perhaps think there are too many letters in this volume of trivial import, and that some of the brief notes and others mis^ht as well have been omitted. But the editor has desired to present the entireness of Mr. Clay's character, so far as correspondence would reveal it, more especially in those parts which, from the nature and character of his career, have been very little before the public. His character as a public man is public property. But Mr. Clay made such a mark on his age and the history of his time, that the public have some right to know more of all his relations in life than his brilliant career as a public man permitted them to observe. They will find in this correspondence that nothing in his private and domestic life, and in the minor details touching the interests of his own family, escaped his care and attention. They will see that the fidelity and rigid conscientiousness which controlled all his conduct as a politician and statesman, were exem- plified in a similar type, and in a degree as much more careful and anxious as the case required, in all his private relations. He not only had a large family of the first generation, most of whom left the world before him, but numerous grandchildren. It is touching to observe the action of his parental feelings toward them all, according to their characters and conditions of health and comfort, as disclosed in this correspondence. Mr. Clay was necessarily a politician, because he was forever in the whirl of politics. He, however, did not seek politics, but politics sought him, on account of his peculiar and eminent qualifications for public life. But this correspondence will show how often and how sincerely he desired repose from political agitations, and how disgusted he was with unfair and dishonorable political strifes. Take him all in all, he was the most EDITOR S PREFACE. Ill popular public man, as to personal qualities, who Las ever a23peared in the history of the country, and that from the beginning to the end of his career. It was the unavoidable destiny of such a man that he should be abused by his political opponents, and carried on the shoulders of his political friends ; and in the same pro- portion as the former feared, the latter loved him. We know not of how many it can be said, yet it can be said of Mr. Clay, and all the world believe it, that he was an honest, fair, and patriotic politician. His country, and the good of his country, in the strife with his opponents, were ever the ruling passion of his mind in all public affairs. His patriotism, true as the needle to the pole, is more and more apparent as the events which excited it recede in the distance. Again and again, as a candidate for the highest trust in the nation, he sacrificed himself on the altar of his country, and of the principles he adopted. He " would rather be right," or what he thought was right, than be invested with the hio;hest official honors. That he was actuated by a laudable ambition fairly to gain eminence in his career, was doubtless an ingredient of his lofty aspirations ; but his principles would not bend for such an advantao-e. Who does not know that his talents, and the charm of his character on the public mind, would have borne him to any place in the gift of the nation, if he had thrown himself on the popular current, in almost any of the exigencies leading that w^ay which fell in his path ? But he would never sacrifice principle for personal advantage. If he had had less faith in public virtue, it would have made no difference ; for he never sacrificed self-respect for influ- ence. He trusted, and was deceived ; but he acquired more fame in history by his course than could have been achieved in any other way. The most rigid scru- tiny of his character leaves his name untarnished by a single act in all his political relations. He lived and died an American patriot of the loftiest character. IV EDITORS PREFACE. Forever cherished and followed by a great national party, and forced into the field as a candidate for pub- lic services and public honors, it was reasonable to ex- pect that his correspondence would partake of this character. Judge Brooke,"^ of Virginia, was a bosom friend of Mr. Clay for more than half a century, and there was no other man in the nation to whom he opened his heart and mind so fully and freely on public and private affairs. Hence the extended use here made of their correspondence. It always presents Mr. Clay's mind and views at the dates of the respective letters, and on the topics considered. It is a perfect abandon of private friendship, and on that account is doubly interesting and instructive. The Hon. J. S. Johnston, United States Senator from Louisiana, was also a bosom friend of Mr. Clay, and much of their correspondence is given as well. The chronological order of arrange- ment— the best, probably, that could have been adopted — necessarily places nearly all the letters each in an isolated position. They are not, of course, all historical in the higher sense of the term. Some are introduced for their eccentricity, and some, doubtless, will be of little interest to the public generally. It is believed, however, that they are a fair illustration in kind of Mr. Clay's relations to the wide public. There will, of course, be found many peculiarities of style m such a variety of letters as are given in this vol- ume. For the most part, however, they are good epis- tolary compositions, and not a few of them are of a high order. The letters of foreigners were, mainly addressed to Mr. Clay in English, Lafayette's always, and they are given as found. In no case are they translations of the editor. Mr. Clay's letters are gener- ally a model of epistolary wi'iting. The facsimile presented is a fair exhibit of his chirogi'aphy — always elegant, and never careless. Calvin Colton * Judge Brooke and Francis Brooke, in the cori-espondence, are the same person. CONTENTS CHAPTER I. PA(9 CX)RKESPONDENCE FEOM 1801 TO 1815, ... c ... , 9 CHAPTER II. COEEESPONDENCE FROM 1815 TO 1820, ........ 49 CHAPTER III. COEEESPONDENCE OF 1825 AND 1826, 109 CHAPTER IV. COEEESPONDENCE OP 1827, , 156 CHAPTER V. COEEESPONDENCE OP 1828, , , 188 CHAPTER VI. COEEESPONDENCE OP 1829, 217 CHAPTER VII. lORRESPONDENCE OF 1830, 251 IV CONTENTS. CHAPTEE VIII. . FAoa COEEESPONDENCE OF 1831 AND 1832, 293 CHAPTER IX. COEBESPONDENCE OF 1833, 1834, AND IS-^Sj, ,,..., 347 CHAPTER X. OOEEESPONDENCE OP 1836, 1837, 1838, AND 1839, .... 403 CHAPTER XI. COEEESPONDENCB OF 1840, 1841, 1842, AND 1843, .... 443 CHAPTER XII. OOKEESPONDENCE OF 1844, 1845, 1846, AND 1847, .... 483 CHAPTER XIII. COEBESPONDENCE OF 1848 AND 1849, , . 653 CHAPTER XIV. COEBESPONDENCE OF 1850, 1851, AND 1852, . , 698 ILLUSTRATIONS THOMAS JEFFERSON JOHN QUINCY ADAMS JOHN MARSHALL MILLARD FILLMORE ZACHARY TAYLOR PRIVATE CORRESPONDENCE OF HENHY CLAY. CHAPTER I. CORRESPONDENCE FROM 1801 TO 1825 MR. CLAY TO .TUDGE BROOKE.* Lexington, December 80, 180l. Deab Sir, — ^I have received as well your letter by Mr. U. Taylor, as the one written a few days after, by the post. I must request the favor of you to execute a small commission for me. The Acts of the Yirginia Legislature, passed prior tc the separation of this State, are extremely difficult to be procured even by collecting fugitive Acts, in this country ; but few indeed of the public offices possess entire collections. Will you be so obliging as to obtain for me, if you can, the old revisal, which reaches, I believe, to the year 1766, the Chancellor revisal, and the Acts passed since that, in a regular series to the year 1792. The last is most desired, but I could wish to possess all. Your revisal of 1791 would not answer my purpose, because it con- tains laws not in force in this country, and, if my recollection serves me, omits to give the respective dates of the passages of each law, all-important in many cases. These books you will be pleased to forward to William Taylor, Esq., merchant, in Baltimore, from whom I can easily procure them ; or to either of our representatives in Congress, Mr. Brown, Mr. Breckenridge, * Mr. Clay and Judge Brooke, of Fredericksburg, Va, werf correspondents for more than half a century. 10 PRIVATE CORRESPONDENCE l''owlorj or Davis, who will contrive some mode for them to get to me. I suppose they may be obtained from the Council Cham- ber. What has become of the son of my much regretted friend, your brother ? I feel myself under obligations of gratitude to the father, which I should be happy of having an opportunity of discharging to the son. What is the progress he has made in his education ? We have in this place an university in a very flourishing condition. Could you not spare him to me in this country for two or three years ? I live at a short distance from the buildings, have a small family, and need not add, that from the cheapness of living in this country, his expense to me would be extremely inconsiderable. We have, too, a distant hope of getting Mr. Madison, from William and Mary, to take the man- agement of our seminary. Be pleased to let me hear from )''ou on this subject. JAMES BBOWN* TO MR. CLAY. Washington, September 16, 1804. Dear Sir, — ^Your last letter was dated at the Springs, where you were reveling in the enjoyments of ease, mirth, and engaging society. Since that time you have probably experienced the bustle and solicitude attendant on an election, for I discover your name at the head of the list of successful candidates. ?ff 'Te w tP tF tF tF ^» Nancy [Mrs. Brown] was delighted at finding that Lucretia [Mrs. Clay, sister of Mrs. Brown] had overcome her repugnance to writing, and by the next post replied to her letter. She begs me to press upon you the task of urging her to write more fre- quently, and authorizes me to declare that although her corre- spondents are numerous, Lucretia's letters shall ever receive prompt answers. I have written to so many of my friends to-day, that I have, much against my inclination, defrauded you of your share. My affectionate wishes for the happiness of yourself and family wait upon you. * James iJrown, brother-in-law of Mr. Clay, afterward American minister ti Paris OF HENRY CLAY. 11 JOHN ADAIR TO MR. CLAY. Lexington, August 15, 1805. I need make no further apology for calling your recollection to the handbill that was shown in Frankfort last November, implicating my political principles as inimical to Mr. Jefferson and republic- anism. From an application to Mr. Taylor and others who were present, it appears that the conversation alluded to took place principally between you and myself, although in presence of several gentlemen. I wish you now to recollect, as far as you can, the nature of that conversation — in what manner I spoke of the amendment to the Federal Constitution, whether positively as bad, or whether I did not merely doubt its future operation as unfavorable to republicanism, stating, as my reason, that it had been urged by the Federalists under the former Administration, and opposed by the party who had now carried it in opposition to them. I wish you likewise tc state in what manner and by whom General Pinckney's name was first introduced, whether I discovered the least displeasure with the administration, or tal- ents, or personal character of Mr. Jefferson ; on the contrary, whether I did not say I would prefer him as President to any man in the Union ; but observed that the people of America ought not to think their liberty or happiness depended on the election of any individual, but on their steady adherence to a virtuous observance of their laws. Your answer by post to Frankfort will be deemed a favor. MR. CLAY TO JOHN ADAIR. Lexington, August 24, 1805. Sir, — Yours of the 15th instant, addressed to me at the Olym- pian Springs, did not reach me until a few days ago at Paris, or it should have been earlier answered. I recollect, during the session of the Assembly of 1803, having had one or more conversations with you relative to the amend- ment of the Federal Constitution, providing for a designation of the President and Vice-President in the votes to be given for those officers. But I regret that my memory does not enable me to detail the particulars of those conversations. I remember, however, that you expressed douots as to the propriety of the 12 PRIVATE CORRESPONDENCE proposed amendment, urged some arguments to prove that the existing provision was best, and suggested your fears that a change would produce mischievous consequences. Whether your opinion was matured or not I can not say, but I do not think you expressed one decisively. If the name of General Pinckney was mentioned, and how or by whom it was intro- duced, at the times of the conversations, or at any of them, it has escaped my memory. I have heard you speak of that gen- tleman, I think, more than once, in terms of high respect, and it may have been when the topic of conversation was the amend- ment ; but I do not believe that you drew any parallel between Mr. Jefferson and him, or contended that he was equally well qualified to fill the presidential chair. When I saw the handbill to which you allude, I was surprised at some of the sentiments there ascribed to you ; and am inclined to think had they been avowed in my presence and hearing-, that they would have made an impression which would be still fresh. JAMES BROWN TO MR. CLAY. New Orleans, March 12, 1805. Dear Sir, — ^I received, two mails ago, your very acceptable favor of the 28th of January, and should sooner have answered it but for the pressure of business arising from two courts in session at the same time. I rejoice at every assurance I receive of the health and happiness of a family to whom I feel every attachment which a consciousness of their worth and a recollec- tion of their friendship can inspire. The hope of a rapturous meeting with you shortly, consoles me under an absence which, without this delightful expectation, would be insupportable. With the young portion of my relations I feel confident of an interview, but poor old Colonel Hart* — ^am I never to see him again ? He has frightened me by the very circumstance which he mentions as flattering to his hope of long life. He informs me that his weight has increased twenty-three pounds since his return from the Springs. I consider this as an unfavorable omen, but will feel perfectly relieved from all apprehensions if he survives the month of March. * Father-in-law of Mr. Brown and Mr. Clay. OF HENRY CLAY. 13 It gives me real pleasure to hear from every qnarter that you stand in Kentucky at the head of your profession. May you soon grow rich, and be able to retire from a profession, the duties of which are too severe in that inclement climate for the most robust constitution. My retreat from your State saved my life^ One winter more would have fixed upon me a confij:med con- sumption. Here I have renewed my youth. Nancy has written to Lucretia. She enjoys good health, good spirits, and, as you may suppose, the esteem of all who know ner. Let me hear from you more frequently. AARON BURR TO MR. CLAY. Louisville, November 27, 1''06. Dear Sir, — Information has this morning been given to me that Mr. Davies has recommenced his prosecution and inquiry. I must entreat your professional aid in this business. It would be disagreeable to me to form a new connection, and various considerations will, it is hoped, induce you, even at some person- al inconvenience, to acquiesce in my request. I shall, however, insist on making a liberal pecuniary compensation. The delay of your journey to Washington for a few days can not be very material. No business is done in Congress till after New Years. I pray you to repair to Frankfort on receipt of this. AARON BURR TO MR. CLAY. Feankfort, December 1, 1806. Sir,— I have no design, nor have I taken any measure to pro- mote a dissolution of the Union, or a separation of any one or more States from the residue. I have neither published a line on this subject nor has any one, through my agency, or with my knowledge. I have no design to intermeddle with the Govern- ment or to disturb the tranquillity of the United States, or of its teiTitories, or any part of them. I have neither issued, nor signed nor promised a commission to any person for any purpose. I dc not own a musket nor a bayonet, nor any single article of mili- tary stores, nor does any person for me, by my authority or with my knowledge. 14 PEIVATE CORRESPONDENCE My views have been fully explained to, and approved by, seve- ral of the principal officers of Government, and, I believe, are well understood by the administration and seen by it with com- placency. They are such as every man of honor and every good citizen must approve. ' Considering the high station you now fill in our national coun- cils* I have thought these explanations proper, as well to counter- act the chimerical tales which malevolent persons have so in- dustriously circulated, as to satisfy you that you have not es- poused the cause of a man in any way unfriendly to the laws, the government, or the interests of his country. AAKON BURR TO MR. CLAF. Lewis Inn, half past 3. Sir, — At nine this morning Mr. Jordan received your letter in reply to one which he wrote at my request. I have just arrived wet, and something fatigued, and send to inquire whether my presence in court is now deemed necessary or expedient. I pray you to consider yourself as my counsel in the business moved by Mr. D. A! more technical application will be made when I shall have the pleasure to see you. An early interview, at this house, would very much gratify me. MR. CLAY TO THOMAS M. PRENTISS City of Washington, February 15, 1807. Dear Sir, — I received your agreeable favor, with its inclosure, for which accept my thanks. Your New Year's ode was well adapted to the object in view, and the perusal of it afforded me much pleasure. Colonel Burr has supplied much fund of conversation. No doubt is now entertained here of his having engaged in schemes of the most daring and illegal kind. Having left Kentucky under a belief that he was innocent, it was with no little surprise upon my arrival here that I found I had been deceived. Entertaining »hs opinion I did, I ventured at Chillicothe to speak with some * Mr Clay was now Senator of the United States. 6 OF HENRY CLAY. lb freedom upon measures proposed there of a harsh character, and unjustified, as it appeared to me, by pubhc exigences. It is to this cause that the strictures upon my conduct, alluded to in yours, are owing. They give me no pain, as I am conscious of having participated in no illegal projects of Burr, and know that I will not be suspected of having done so by any who know me. Alexander has been discharged for want of proof. Bollmar and Swartwoiit remain in custody. They applied to the Su- preme Court of the United States, now in session, for a writ of habeas corpus. Some of the judges doubted their power to grant it, as it was not included within the enumerated powers conferred upon that tribunal in the Constitution. The question has been discussed, and three judges to two [Chase and John- son] have determined in favor of the application. The prisoners are to be brought before the Court to-day. The papers inform you of the great events passing upon the European theater. A measure has been lately taken by Bona- parte of a most gigantic nature, the declaration that the islands of Great Britain are in a state of blockade. It is said that our minister at Paris has written on to Government that our com- merce is not to be affected by it ; I apprehend, however, that it will subject it to much embarrassment. The session of Congress has not been so interesting as I had anticipated. No questions in relation to our foreign intercourse, involving much discussion, have been agitated ; every thing de- pends upon the result of pending negotiations, and this will not be known, it is probable, until the session expires. I expect to be accompanied to Kentucky by two young gen- tlemen, one proposing the practice and the other the study of the law. The latter will continue with me. I am glad to find that you have been getting acquainted with Strange. He is s valuable reporter, but occupies a second station only in the grade of merit. I calculate upon finding you much improved in youi Itiw knowledge. Two words will make any man of sound in- tellect a lawyer, industry and application, and the same words with a third, economy, will enable him to make a fortune. My respects to your fellow-students ; and tell them they have been very inattentive to me in not writing. Present me also to the very amiable and sensible man witA whom you reside. 16 PRIVATE CORRESPONDENCE MB. BROWN TO MR. CLAY. New Orleans, September 1, 1808, Mt dear Sir, — Before I had the pleasure of your last very agreeable letter, the news of the death of our venerable friend [Colonel Hart] had reached us. Although in some degree pre- pared for the melancholy event by the account given in your former letter of the state of his health, I yet felt the loss with a degree of sensibility which was heightened by the regret I expe- rienced by being forever denied the long expected pleasure of giving him a gleam of happiness in his last days, by restor- ing him the society of his beloved daughter. I need not tell you that she has suffered. You know the sensibility of her heart, and the warmth of her gratitude and attachment to the best of fathers. Reflection, however, should teach us the duty of yielding to the decrees of heaven. Our friend was not pre- maturely snatched away from us. He has left no needy in- fant orphans. He lived long and he lived well. His character is set before his family as a model of public and private virtues, worthy of their imitation. While they cherish his memory may they never depart from the example he has left them. JLt. ^t. ^U M. J£. ^Lt M. I am sorry that you do not live in better times, for you have talents to adorn a public station, and to be useful to your coun- try. But to me character is more dear than every other thing ; and can any man hope long to preserve it in the present miser- able state of things ? You have carried your election. I am rejoiced at it. Your enemies will be wounded. But I pray you to quit public life, or muster up sufficient philosophy to bear up under all the hard names with which you will be christened in the papers. You are, it seems, a Burrite. If Wilkinson de serves to be believed, seven thousand men in your State deserved the same opprobrious title. What you may next be called iis uncertain ; but as long as you retain your brains and your inde- pendence you will be abused. Republicanism demands that a man of talents should be kept down by detraction. Too much genius, like too much wealth, destroys equality, the very soul of democracy. But I forbear. You will say I have become splenetic, or rather that I have always been subject to that in • firmity. Nothing is further from the fact. Ever since my arriva. in this merry dancing country my temper has remained unruffled. OF HENRY CLAY. / 17 with tli(5 exception of Wilkinson's winter of horrors. In do- mesUc life I have nothing to wish, and my practice has been more prosperous than I had any right to expect. It is with pleas- ure that I discover that your rage for electioneering has not diverted your mind from the main point; and that the people, while they rail at the profession of 'aw, vie with each other in filling the coffers of its professors. Happy in the bosom of your family may you long enjoy the fruits of your labors, and trans- mit liberal educations and competent fortunes to your descend- ants ' *****# Present my affectionate regards to Lucretia and the family. MR. CLAY TO JUDGE BROOKE. Washington, January 26, 1811. My dear Sir, — I received your favor inclosing a statement telative to Garland's debt, and bank notes amounting to f 35, being $3 more than was the balance agreeably to the state- ment. I have since received a letter from Mr. Hoomes, in which he acknowledges that I have overpaid the proportion of the purchase of Buzzard coming from me. But as I have the collection, in Kentucky, of some money for his father's estate, there will be no difficulty in adjusting the excess. I am much indebted to the kindness of your brother and yourself for your attention to this matter, and I can not agree that he shall be without compensation for his trouble. I must, therefore, request that you will pay him $20, for which, as well as for the $3 above mentioned, you shall be credited in the taxes upon your land. I do not think the present a very favorable period for selling your land, which I have no doubt is gradually rising in value. If, however, you are desirous to effect a sale, your ob- ject would probably be facilitated by such a descriptive survey of it as you mention. I can hardly suppose a survey necessary to the perpetuation of the boundaries ; surveys in that county having been generally made in connection, in such manner that they tend to prove each other, and the removal of the corner of one would derange the whole block. Instances have, indeed, occurred there of such fraudulent attempts ; but I believe they are rare. Should you desire to possess such an account of the qual- 2 18 PRIVATE COKEESPONDENCE ity of your lands as will enable you to satisfy the inquiries of purchasers, I need not say that, on this, as well as any othei matter interesting to you, I shall take pleasure in promoting your wishes. MR. CLAY' TO .* Lexington, July 9, 1811. Dear Sir, — In acknowledging the receipt of your favor of the 7th inst., covering ^100 for the Lexington Library, I must say you have furnished, what was not wanted, an additional evidence of that devotion to literature, and that disinterested liberality, which you have invariably so eminently displayed. I fear that, in this instance, your munificence has exceeded the bounds of self-justice, by the appropriation of a sum not war- ranted by the proceeds of the orations, with which you have favored us. Under this impression, I was about to obey my first impulse of soliciting you to permit me to return your benevolent donation. But apprehensive that, in so doing, I might excite some unpleasant sensation, I determined to give it the direction which your goodness has prescribed, and invest it in such of the books contained in your list, as are not already in the Library, which will be not more appreciated for their enlightened con- tents than by a recollection of the distinguished source whence they have proceeded. LANGDON CHEVES TO MR. CLAY. Washington (Davis' Hotel), July 30, 1812. Dear Sir, — Yours of the 15th July, inst., I received yesterday, at Philadelphia, at the very moment I was getting into the stage on my way to Carolina. ***** You ask me, '' What notice you ought to take of Randolph's reply ?" certainly none — none whatever. Were you to notice it he would reply again, and it would never terminate. He spoke with great truth in the beginning of the last session, when he said the " Speaker of the House of Representatives was the second man in the nation ;" and if this be true, as I think it is, it does not become the Speaker to enter into altercations with any member of the House, or even of the nation, in a public * The address of this letter is not given. OF HENRY CLAY. 19 justification of his conduct, any more than it does to the first man in the nation — the President. I, therefore, thought you originally wrong. But if any notice of Mr. R.'s first publication was right, it was taken by you exactly in the manner, temperate and dignified, in which it ought to have been noticed. I think, as the question stands, you have entirely the advantage of the argument ; and I think you would egregiously err, as the Speaker of the House of Representatives (it would be entirely different were it a question between Mr. Clay and Mr. R.) to put it on any other footing than that of argument. I have not heard one sentence on the subject of his reply, of any kind, from any person, except one in my own family, which resulted from my having received a copy of it, through the Post-office, from him- self— it was not one to your prejudice. On this subject, although about the latitude of debate we differ, I am entirely and decidedly of opinion you are right ; and that, I think, is enough for you as Speaker. I am sure of this, whether you think me right or wrong, you will be certain that I give you candid advice. I have not a doubt of your willingness to put the question personally on any footing whatever, that might be deemed proper. But any such notice of it on your part would be most inexcusably wrong. It is always to be remembered that it is the Speaker and Mr. R. who are engaged ; and really I should be afraid my- self of the freedom of speech, if the Chair were supported in that way. No ; if you had any feelings leading you that way, it would be a sacred public duty to suppress them. I ought to have said, besides, that there is not even a plausible reason and occasion for any such notice were you viewed merely as any other individual of the community. Present my most respectful compliments to Mrs. Clay. I have only arrived here fifteen minutes, and go away on my journey in fifteen more. 1 am, therefore, in great haste. JAMES MONROE TO MR. CLAY. Washington, August 28, 1812. My Dear Sir, — Yours of the 29th ultimo and 12th instant nave been received. The former should have been answered sooner, had I not been absent in Virginia, where I had gone to to take my family for the advantage of our mountain air. 20 PEIVATE COERESPONDEiVCE We have just heard with equal astonishment and concern, that General Hull has surrendered, by capitulation, the army under his command at Detroit, to the British force opposed to him. The circumstances attending this most mortifying and humiliat- ing event are not known ; but, so far as we are informed on the subject, there appears to be no justification of it. I can not suspect his integrity ; I rather suppose that a panic had seized the whole force, and that he and they became victims of his want of energy, promptitude of decision, and those resources, the characteristics of great minds in difficult emergencies. We under- stand that, after passing the river, he suffered his communicatioi. to be cut off with the States of Ohio and Kentucky, and withou making any active movement in front to strike terror into the enemy, he remained tranquil, thereby evincing a want of confi- dence in his own means, and giving time to collect his forces together. No intelligence justifies the belief that he gave battle in a single instance. It appears that he surrendered on a sum- mons from Fort Sandwich, on the opposite side of the river, after the firing of some cannon or mortars, which did no great mis- chief. Before this disastrous event was known, the force, now, I pre- sume, on its march, was ordered from Kentucky, and the ap- pointment of brigadier had been conferred on Governor Harrison. Your letters had produced all the effect on those subjects, which their solidity justly merited. I most sincerely wish that the President could dispose of me, at this juncture, in the military line. If circumstances would permit, and it should be thought that I could render any service, I would, in a very few days, join our forces assembling beyond the Ohio, and endeavor to recover the ground which we have lost. He left this to-day for Virginia, as did Mr. Gallatin for New York, but expresses being sent for them, they will probably both return to-morrow. WILLIAM HENRY HARBISON TO MR. CLAY. Cincinnati, August 29, 1812. I write to you, my dear sir, amid a thousand interruptions, and I do it solely for the purpose of showing you that you are present to my recollection, under circumstances that would almost justify a suspension of every private feeling. The ru- OF HENRY CLAY. 2i mored disasters upon our north-western frontier, are now ascer- tained to be correct. The important point of Mackinac was sur- rendered without an effort; an army captured at Detroit, after receiving three shots from a distant battery of the enemy (and from the range of which it was easy to retire), a fort [Chicago], in the midst of hostile tribes of Indians, ordered to be evacu- ated, and the garrison slaughtered ; the numerous north-western tribes of Indians (with the exception of two feeble ones), in arms against us, is the distressing picture which presents itself to view in this part of the country. To remedy all these misfortunes, I have an army competent in numbers, and in spirit equal to any that Greece or Rome ever boasted of, but desti- tute of artillery, of many necessary equipments, and absolutely ignorant of every military evolution, nor have I but a single individual capable of assisting me in training them. But I beg you to believe, my dear sir, that this retrospect of my situation, far from producing despondency, produces a contrary effect, and I feel confident of being able to surmount them all. The grounds of this confidence are a reliance on my own zeal and perseverance, and a perfect conviction that no such materials for forming an invincible army ever existed, as the volunteers which have marched from Kentucky on the present occasion. Fort Wayne is in imminent danger. Governor Meiggs is col- lecting a body of mounted men at Urbanna, and I suppose will send them to relieve Fort Wayne, before I can get up with the infantry. I dispatched Garrard's troop this morning, with orders to join any corps (at Piqua) which may be destined for that object. The three regiments of infantry marched also this morning ; I shall follow and overtake them to-morrow. Should the relief of Fort Wayne not have been attempted, or the attempt have failed, it will be my first object upon my arrival at Piqua. I have made every arrangement in my power to facili- tate the march of the regiments which are expected from Ken- tucky, after they shall arrive here, but I fear that I shall be obliged to advance from Piqua without them. With the assist- ance of a number of mounted men, however, which Governor Meiggs can supply, I may do pretty well. With troops that are awkward, and who, of course, maneuver slowly, mounted men are absolutely indispensable to mask their evolutions. I am so much interrupted, that I can only add that I am your friend, etc. 22 PRIVATE COERESPOISTDENCE WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON TO MR. CLAY. CiNcraNATi, August 30, 1812. My Dear Sir, — After having been absent from home for so many months you will no doubt think it unreasonable that you should be asked to take a considerable journey, and that on an occasion entirely foreign to your ordinary public duties. I know you, however, too well, not to believe that sacrifices of private convenience will be always made to render service to your country. Without further preamble then, I inform you that in my opinion, your presence on the frontier of this State would be productive of great advantages. I can assure you that your advice and assistance in determining the course of operations for the army (to the command of which I have been designated by your recommendation), will be highly use- ful. You are not only pledged in some manner for my con- duct, but for the success of the war — for God's sake, then, come on to Piqua as quickly as possible, and let us endeavor to throw off from the administration that weight of reproach which the late disasters will heap upon them. If you come, bring on McKee with you, whom you will overtake upon the road. An extract from this letter will be authority for the commanding officer of his regiment to let him come. JAMES MONROE TO MR. CLAY. Washington, September 17, 1812. My dear Sir, — I have had the pleasure to receive several let- ters from you in relation to our affairs to the westward, and I hope that one which I wrote you on the receipt of the first, has long since reached its destination. Every effort has been made by the government to remedy the shameful and disastrous loss of the army and fort at Detroit, and I hope the best effects will result from them. In aid of the force which has so generously volunteered its service from Kentucky and Ohio, fifteen hundred are ordered from Pennsylvania, and a Mke number from Virginia, so that I think you will have on the borders of Lake Erie, early in the next month, eight thousand or ten thousand men, well equipped, prepared to march on to recover the ground lost, and re- sume the conquest of Upper Canada. I have the utmost confi- OF HENRY CLAY. 23 ience in the success of the expedition which is set on foot, be- cause the spirit of the people appears to be roused to that state which is best adapted to manly and heroic achievements. I am wiiiing to trust to their sense of honor and to their patriotism, to efface the stigma which has been fixed on our national character. [ hope they will exhibit a noble contrast to that degenerate spirit yhich has of late, and continues to exhibit itself to the eastward, in the dominant party there. The command of this force is com- mitted to Governor Harrison, who, it is believed, will justify the favorable expectation entertained of him by those who are be..t acquainted with his merit. You and our other friends in Ken- tucky will find that the utmost attention has been paid to your opinions and wishes on all these subjects. A large park of heavy artillery is sent on to Pittsburg, to be forwarded thence toward Cleveland, for the use of the army whose duty it will be to retake Detroit, and expel the British from Maiden and Upper Canada. In short, every arrangement is made to give effect to our operations in that quarter that has ap- peared to be necessary. On the intelligence of the surrender of Detroit, the President expressed a desire to avail himself of my services in that quarter, and had partly decided so to do. He proposed that I should go in the character of a volunteer, with the rank of major general, to take the command of the forces. I expressed my willingness to obey the summons, although it was sudden and unexpected, as indeed the event which suggested the idea was. On mature reflection, however, he concluded that it would not be proper for me to leave my present station at the present juncture. I had no opinion on the subject, but was prepared to act in any situation in which it might be thought I might be most useful. From the northern army we have nothing which inspires a confident hope of any brilliant success. The disaffection in that quarter has paralyzed every effort of the government, and ren- dered inoperative every law of Congress ; 1 speak comparatively with what might have been expected. On the public mind, however, a salutary effect is produced even there, by the events which have occurred. Misfortune and success have alike dimin- ished the influence of foreign attachments and party animosities, and contributed to draw the people closer together. The surren- der of our army excited a general grief, and the naval victory a general joy. Inveterate Toryism itself was compelled, in both 24 PRIVATE CORRESPONDENCE iDStanceSj to disguise its character and hide its feelings, by ap- pearing to sympathize with those of the nation. If Great Britain does not come forward soon and propose honorable conditions, 1 am convinced that the war will become a national one, and will, terminate in the expulsion of her force and power from the con- tinent. Should you see my old and venerable friend, General Scott, I beg you to present my best regards to him. MR. clay's passport TO GOTTENBURG. To all i3ho shall see these presents, greeting : The President of the United States of America having ap- pointed the Honorable Henry Clay, late , Speaker of the House of Representatives, a Minister Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary, in conjunction with John Quincy Adams, Jarnes A. Bayard, and Jonathan Russell, Esquires, to negotiate and sign a treaty of peace with Great Britain ; and the said Henry Clay, who is the bearer hereof, being now on his way to Gottenburg, in the king- dom of Sweden, for the purpose of fulfilling the objects of his mission ; These are to request all officers of the United States aforesaid, civil and military, the ofia.cers and subjects of powers in amity with the said United States, and all others whom it may concern, not to offer to the said Henry Clay any hinderance or molestation whatsoever ; but, on the contrary, to afford to him and to his secretaries and attendants, with their baggage, ail necessary aid, comfort, and protection. In faith whereof, I, James Monroe, Secretary of State for the United States of America, have hereunto subscribed my namfl and affixed the seal of my office. Given at Washington City, this 4th day of February, A. D. 18l4j and in the thirty-eighth year of American Independence. MRS. CLAY TO MR. CLAY. "Washington, March 10. Mr DEAR Husband, — Mr. Barker called to-day to let me know th^it he has an opportunity of sending letters to Gottenburg, and offered to take charge of one for you. I heard the other day OF HENRY CLAY. 25 from Lexington that it is more sickly than it ever has been. Nelly Hart had twelve negroes sick ; Theodore wrote me that all our family were well. The children that I have with me are all well, and Plenry is always talking of you, he comes up and kisses me for his papa, I long very much to be at home with my family, for I am very dreary here as I do not pay visits ; in- deed I found I could not go out without you in the evening, but T do all in my power to keep me from being melancholy. Our suit in this court was tried the other day ; I have not heard that it is decided. Mr. Wickliff started on Sunday last for Kentucky. Mrs. Brown has at last made up her mind to go home with me and spend the summer. Judge Todd and his lady have been very polite to me since you left this ; the Judge called the other day to examine the light wagon we were to have got from Mr. L. but he found it so completely worn out that I determined not to take it ; we shall I hope get on without it. Mr. Bibb paid me the $500 as soon as he got here. You need not make your- self the least uneasy on our account, for I believe we shall do very well. Mr. Granger has been turned out of office. A great many blame Mr. Madison. Susan and Ann send their love to you. May God spare you to us. Do take care of yourself for our sakes MR. CRAWFORD TO MR. CLAY. Paris, April 8, 1814. Dear Sir, — The events which have within a few days passed in this city, and in its neighborhood, have changed every thing in France but the character of the Parisians, and perhaps of Frenchmen in general. On the 30th ult. a battle was fought in the vicinity of Paris by the French troops under the Duke of Ragusa, amounting to between fifteen and twenty thousand men, and the grand allied army. The loss was considerable on both sides, but that of the Allies was more than double. It is estimated from eight to ten thousand men. The disparity in the loss was the result of the strong positions of the French troops, and the desire of the Allies to get possession of the capital before the arrival of the Emper or Napoleon, who was advancing by rapid marches upon their rear. This desire was so predominant that they made no attempt 26 PRIVATE COREESPONDENCE to turn these positions, but marched directly up to the inlrench- ments, where they were repulsed four or five times. The battle, commenced about 4 o'clock A. M. and finished about the same time in the evening. The Duke of Ragusa entered into a con- vention by which he agreed to evacuate the city, taking with him all his baggage, ammunition and artillery. The next day the Emperor of Russia and King of Prussia en- tered Paris at the head of about fifty thousand of the finest troops in the world. The remainder of their immense army either defiled on the north or south side of the city, or remained in their po- sitions on the east, which was the field of battle. The Emper- or of Russia, with his Minister of Foreign Relations, went di- rectly to the house of the Prince of Benevento, who convened the Senate the same evening, and had himself and three of his friends, with one devoted Bourbonite, named to the provisional government. The Senate had deposed Napoleon Bonaparte, and directed the provisional government to form a Constitution, which has been accomplished, and accepted by the Senate and the small portion of the Legislative corps who are now in Paris. The Aloni- teur of this day contains this Constitution, which you will prob- ably see before you receive this letter. The monarchy is declared to be hereditary in the house of Bourbon in the male line. The present Senators remaining Senators of the realm by the same tenure. The Senate to consist of one hundred and fifty at least, and not more than two hundred. The ancient and new nobility to remain. All Frenchmen to be capable of filling all the offices of the government. The members of the legislative corps to hold their offices for five years, and to be elected directly by the people The proceedings of the Senate and of the provisional govern- ment, have overturned the authority of the Emperor with his army, and especially with his ablest generals. He seems to have sunk without an effort, at least without an effort correspondiuc; in any degree with his former fame. Such at least is the conclu- sion which I draw from the facts which are communicated to the public. It is possible that these facts may be misrepresented. 1 believe, however, that it is certain, that he has agreed to retire with his family to the Isle of Elba upon a pension of six mil- lions of livres. From the moment that he saw that it was im- possible for him to reign he ought to have died. The manner was in his election. A strange infatuation seems to have in- fluenced his conduct during the last six months. Still relying OF HENRY CLAY. 27 upon his talents and his power he refused, at Prague, to secure at least the neutrality of Austria, by giving her every thing she required. After having retreated across the Rhine he reluctantly accepted the basis which the Allies proposed, and which there is some reason to believe they were sincerely disposed to adopt. Lord Castlereagh's mission, however, according to the best view of the subject which I have been able to take, was intended solely to prevent this accommodation. Time will prove the ac- curacy or inaccuracy of this opinion. There must have been great address employed in managing the Emperor of Austria, who had rejected all idea of overthrowing the reigning dynasty. The infatuation of the Emperor, and his arrogance to his father- in-law (if we are to credit reports apparently well founded), greatly contributed to the success of the arts employed by the British Secretary. That the Emperor of Austria has been duped is clearly established by the declaration of the Allies after the breaking np of the Congress at Chatillon, and by the conduct of Lord Wellington. This declara