Detroit Public Library. Burton Historical Collection.
Finding Aid for Henry Clay papers, 1807-1852
00512
Table of Contents
Summary Information
- Repository
- Detroit Public Library. Burton Historical Collection.
- Creator
- Clay, Henry,1777-1852.
- Title
- Henry Clay correspondence
- ID
- 00512
- Date
- 1807-1852
- Extent
- 0.5 linear ft.
- General Physical Description note
- (1 microfilm reel)
- Language
- English
- Container
- 126
- Abstract
- Collection contains letters authored by, received by, and concerning Henry Clay.
Biographical/Historical note
CLAY, Henry, (father of James Brown Clay), a Senator and a Representative from Kentucky; born in the district known as "the Slashes," Hanover County, Va., April 12, 1777; attended the public schools; studied law in Richmond, Va.; admitted to the bar in 1797 and commenced practice in Lexington, Ky.; member, State house of representatives 1803; elected as a Democratic Republican to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of John Adair and served from November 19, 1806, to March 3, 1807, despite being younger than the constitutional age limit of thirty years; member, State house of representatives 1808-1809, and served as speaker in 1809; again elected as a Democratic Republican to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Buckner Thruston and served from January 4, 1810, to March 3, 1811; elected as a Democratic Republican to the Twelfth and Thirteenth Congresses and served from March 4, 1811, to January 19, 1814, when he resigned; Speaker of the House of Representatives (Twelfth and Thirteenth Congresses); appointed one of the commissioners to negotiate the treaty of peace with Great Britain in 1814; elected as a Democratic Republican to the Fourteenth Congress (March 4, 1815-March 3, 1817); seat declared vacant by the governor of Kentucky, "caused by the acceptance of Henry Clay to sign a commercial convention as minister plenipotentiary to Great Britain"; elected in a special election as a Democratic Republican to the Fourteenth Congress to fill his own vacancy on October 30, 1815; re-elected as a Democratic Republican to the Fifteenth and succeeding Congress (March 4, 1817-March 3, 1821); Speaker of the House of Representatives (Fourteenth, Fifteenth and Sixteenth Congresses); elected to the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Congresses and served from March 3, 1823, to March 6, 1825, when he resigned; again served as Speaker of the House of Representatives (Eighteenth Congress); appointed Secretary of State by President John Quincy Adams 1825-1829; elected as a National Republican to the United States Senate on November 10, 1831, to fill the vacancy in the term commencing March 4, 1831; reelected as a Whig in 1836 and served from November 10, 1831, until March 31, 1842, when he resigned; chairman, Committee on Foreign Relations (Twenty-third and Twenty-fourth Congresses), Committee on Finance (Twenty-seventh Congress); unsuccessful presidential candidate of the Democratic Republican Party in 1824, of the National Republican Party in 1832, and of the Whig Party in 1844; again elected to the United States Senate and served from March 4, 1849, until his death in Washington, D.C., June 29, 1852; lay in state in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol, July 1, 1852; funeral services held in the Senate Chamber; interment in Lexington Cemetery, Lexington, Kentucky. (from Biographical Congressional Directory)http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=C000482
Administrative Information
Publication Information
Detroit Public Library. Burton Historical Collection.
Conditions Governing Access note
This collection is open for research use.
Henry Clay correspondence, 1807-1852 (OCLC record)
[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/502389573]Controlled Access Headings
Family Name(s)
- Clay, Henry, -- 1777-1852 -- Archives.
Genre(s)
- Correspondence -- aat
- Speeches -- aat
Geographic Name(s)
- Indiana -- Politics and government.
- Michigan -- Politics and government.
- United States -- Politics and government.
Subject(s)
- Legislators -- United States.
- Politicians -- Family relationships -- United States.
Other Finding Aids note
Finding aid available in the Burton Historical Collection and on the World Wide Web.
Collection Inventory
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William Woodbridge, Detroit, to Henry Clay, Washington. -- 1823, Dec. -- 3 p. Draft signed. Scope and Contents noteIntroducing Father Gabriel Richard, delegate-elect to the House of Representatives. |
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Charles M. Vaughan, Washington, to Henry Clay, Washington. -- 1826, Jan. 15. -- 1 p. Draft. Scope and Contents noteTransmitting a copy of a letter from Sir Peregrine Maillard, Governor of Upper Canada, re the case of John McDonnell. |
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William Woodbridge, Detroit, to Henry Clay, Washington. -- 1826, Oct.9 -- 3 p. Draft. -- Scope and Contents noteEndorse: Sketch of a letter intended to have been sent to Mr. Clay but not sent by reason of the applications of Messrs. Chipman, Farnsworth, & LeRoy. |
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William Woodbridge, Detroit, to Henry Clay, Washington. -- 1826, Oct. 13 -- 2 p. Draft. Scope and Contents noteEndorsed: To Mr. Clay Oct. 13, 1826, con'g. Elon Farnsworth's application for office of Dt. Atty. |
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William Woodbridge, Detroit, to Henry Clay, Washington. -- 1826, Oct. 20 -- 2 p. Draft. -- Scope and Contents noteEndorsed: To Mr. Clay, Oct. 20, 1826, con'g Mr. Chipman's appin. for office of Dt. Atty. |
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William Woodbridge, Detroit, to Henry Clay, Washington. -- 1827, Apr. 27. -- 2 p. Draft Scope and Contents noteEndorsed: Sketch of my letter to Mr. Clay, accompd. by my letter to A. Edwards. |
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Solomon Sibley, Detroit, to Henry Clay, Washington. -- 1827, July 15. -- 2 p. Draft signed. Scope and Contents noteRe vacancy on the Supreme Court of the Territory. |
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William Woodbridge, Detroit, to Henry Clay, Washington. -- 1828, Jan. 9. -- 2 p. Draft signed. Scope and Contents noteRe proposal to appoint Woodbridge to succeed Judge Witherell. |
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William Woodbridge, Detroit, to Henry Clay, Washington. -- 1828, Jan 11. -- 2 p. Draft signed. Scope and Contents noteEndorsed: Jan. Form of joint letter to Mr. Clay—Judge Witherell & Myself, con'g. our agree't to a reciprocal change. |
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Solomon Sibley, Detroit, to Henry Clay, Washington. -- 1828, Jan. 15. -- 4 p. Draft. Scope and Contents noteEndorsed: Copy in substance of a letter to Secy. Of State. Jan. 15, 1828. |
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William Woodbridge, Detroit, to Henry Clay, Washington. -- 1828, Jan. 22. -- 2 p. Draft. Scope and Contents noteEndorsed: Jany. 22, 1828. To Mr. Clay con'g. further funds to enable me to Make out copies &c. of Executive & Legislative proceedings of this Govt. |
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William Woodbridge, Detroit, to Henry Clay, Washington. -- 1828, Feb. 16. -- 1 p. Draft signed with initials. -- Scope and Contents noteEndorsed: Feb. 16, 1828. To H. Clay con'g. Majr. Torrey's appin. as Dt. Atty. |
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Solomon Sibley, Detroit, to Henry Clay, Washington. -- 1828, Feb. 17 -- 1 p. Draft. Scope and Contents noteEndorsed: Letter to H. C. copy, Feb. 17, 1828, in favor of Henry S. Cole, for the office of District Attorney. |
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William Woodbridge, Detroit, to Henry Clay, Washington. -- 1828, Feb. 18 -- 2 p. Draft signed. Scope and Contents noteEndorsed: Letter to Mr. Clay, Feby 18, 1828, con'g. Mr. H.S. Cole's application as District Atty. |
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William Woodbridge, Detroit, to Henry Clay, Washington. -- 1828, Aug. 19. -- 3 p. Draft signed. -- Scope and Contents noteRe question of Woodbridge's position as presiding judge. |
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William Woodbridge, Detroit, to Henry Clay, Washington. -- 1833, Dec. 16 -- 3 p. Draft signed. Scope and Contents noteEndorsed: Sketch of a letter sent to Hon. H. Clay Tuesday Dec. 17, 1833, enclosing a memo. like the enclosed but a little more in detail, handed me by Judge M'Donell. (The enclosed memo handed me by Judge Wilkins.) |
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William Woodbridge, Springwells, near Detroit, to Henry Clay, Washington. -- 1849, Feb. 7. -- 1 p. A.L.S., with envelope. Immediate Source of Acquisition noteLetter of introduction for Charles P. Babcock. |
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A candid appeal to the democracy of the Union, proving by facts and figures that Gen. Cass cannot be elected President, even if nominated by the National Convention. -- 1852, Apr. 14 -- 1 p. Broadside. Scope and Contents noteQuotes Clay's address to the people of Kentucky, from the National Intelligencer of 31 March, 1825; and a letter from Lewis Cass to Clay, dated: Detroit, April 14th, 1825. |
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Henry Clay's opinion in the case of Saunders vs. Blennerhassett. -- 1807, Apr. 26. -- 1 p. A.L.S. with enclosure. Scope and Contents noteEnclosure: Saunders vs. Blennerhassett &c.: Bill in Chancery. 2 p. Document in Clay's autograph, signed by Lewis Sanders. |
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Opinion in the case of Labadie vs. Richard, signed by Dan]. Webster, Edw. Livingston, John W. Taylor, John Scott of Ball, Peter L. DuPonceau of Phila., Gabriel Richard, H. Clay, Hor. Binney. -- 1824, June 17. -- 2 p. D.S. (Phot. (neg.)) Scope and Contents notePhotostat from original in Bishop's residence, Detroit |
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Henry Clay, Washington, to William Woodbridge, Detroit. -- 1 p. N.S. Scope and Contents noteEndorsed: Oct. 1826, H. esq. with comn. for J. McDonnell as member of Leg's. Council in room of A.S. Whitney. |
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Henry Clay, Washington, to William Woodbridge, Detroit. 1827, Feb. 5. -- 1 p. N.S. Scope and Contents noteTransmitting Woodbridge's commission as Secretary of the Territory. |
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Henry Clay, Washington, to Edward Tiffin, Chillilcothe, Ohio. 1828, Oct. 4. -- 1 p. A.N.S. Scope and Contents noteRecommending Thomas Jefferson Todd for a contract to survey part of the public lands in Indiana. |
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Henry Clay, "Ashland", Lexington, Ky., to Jacob Stratton, Philadelphia?. -- 1842, Sept. 13. -- 1 p. A.N.S. Scope and Contents noteStatement of the Whig Party platform. |
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J.D. Dory, Washington, to J.P. Sheldon, Detroit. -- 1822, Dec. 29. -- 3 p. A.L.S. General notePage 3: "The next President (whoever he is) occupies much of the time and attention of persons here, and yet I suppose it is just as uncertain now upon whom the choice will fall as it was before the question was made. Mr. Clay's letter in relation to the Treaty of Ghent, and Mr. Adam's answer, have been a theme for conversation since their appearance. Mr. C. has done himself much injury by his attack on Mr. A. and the course he has adopted is thought a very ingenuous and it one, evincing a great want of judgement as well as honor." |
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Samuel C. Allen, Washington, to Solomon Sibley, Detroit. -- 1823, Dec. 7. -- 3 p. A.L.S. General notePage 2-3: "We have just begun the session & chosen Mr. Clay Speaker - we have had only time to exchange the customary civilities – but the session will be a busy one at least – It is hardly probable that good tempers will be preserved by every body–The candidates some of them I expect are pushing but I cannot say – whether there is a great change in their comparative popularity since the close of the last session – Genl. Jackson has probably at this time some serious thoughts that he may succeed. He has arrived to take his seat in the Senate. Mr. Clay also has his hopes - Mr. Crawford is confined to his house – slowly recovering from a very severe sickness. And Mr. Calhoun & friends are as active as ever but after all I believe it will lie between Adams or Crawford –" |
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Father Gabriel Richard, Washington, to Alexander Fraser, Detroit. -- 1824, Jan. 14. -- 3 p. A.L.S. General note
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Mason, Emily V., Maysville, Ky., to Laura A. Mason, Female Seminary, Troy, N.Y. -- 1837, June 16. -- 4 p. A.L.S. General notePage 2: "We went out to Mr. Clay's two days before we left – Mrs. C—was very kind & let me wander over all the familiar places – Oh! there never was so charming a spot. 'tis very much improved since we left it. – the house painted white & the shrubbery much grown - I expect you remember the two trees of Arbor Vitae which stood on either side the door – I remember when standing on the highest step, Rose Mentelle ? & I could place our hands on their tops - (as she reminded me the other eveng). Now they reach nearly to the roof of the house – Mr. Clay has enlarged the garden very much – I visited the white strawberry bed & ate one or two by way of a souvenir, visited the old pear trees & the house where old Aunt Ede used to live – the Mentelle's were with me & laughed no little at my minute remembrance of everything. Mrs. C - gave me a beautiful pointer dog which I told her I should call 'Kentucky Clay' but unfortunately he broke his chain yesterday & run off–" |
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Mason, Emily V., Lexington, Ky., to Kate (Mason) Rowland, Detroit. -- 1840, Mar. 1. -- 4 p. A.L.S. General noteCriss-cross writing beginning on page 1 and ending middle of page 2: "1 have half a mind now I am 'in the vein' to tell you of a scene we had at Anne Hunt's not long ago. She has two maids you know — Aunt Patsy's daughters - One Sunday afternoon even, hearing voices in the kitchen & seeing that Sarah did not go down she asked Caroline (her sister) why it was — 'Oh ma'am says she 'Sarah is engaged, she don't keep gentlements company' 'Indeed, says Anne, pray who is she engaged to' A young gentleman that lives at Frankfort - Oh! Miss Anne he sent Sarah such a beautiful locket with a picture in it' —`whose picture' says Anne —'his own?' —'Oh no ma'am, Mr. Henry Clay's cut little to fit it' — Need I tell you with what roars of laughter we greeted Caroline's account of Sarah's love affair. But the manner & the language! could you have heard that. Tell Mr. Rowland he may judge from this of Mr. Clay's popularity in Kentucky — that the very negro girls wear his 'picture' round their necks!" General noteCriss-cross writing on p. 1-3. |
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William L. Woolbridge, Washington, to his mother Mrs. Juliana (Trumbull) Woodbridge, Detroit. -- 1841, Mar. 9. -- 3 p. A.L.S. General notePage 1: "1 have just returned from a visit to the Gallery of the Senate Chamber, ...the Senators have had quite an angry discussion today in respect to the printers of the Senate Blair & Rives. Messr. Clay, Calhoun, Preston, King, Smith, Huntington and one or two others took part in the debate. The remarks of Mr. King of Alabama where [sic] rather uncorteus [sic] & vindictive towards Clay which brought that gentleman upon the floor, absolutely using up King; Clay on setting [sic] down observed with some emphasis, that the remarks of the gentleman from Alabama, were unkind, not those of a gentleman (or something to that effect) and cowardly. Mr. King imputing probably [sic] a different meaning to the last part of the sentence, is said to have written a challenge to Clay, but I do not place much truth in it myself, I hope nothing of that kind will take place, the subject of the debate will be taken up again in the morning, the great guns of both parties are a going to 'throw themselves' on the occasion, and an angry discussion is expected. It looks rather dark about war, but the best policy is peace, and as Webster has the helm (Being now Secretary of State) he will undoubtedly do right without sacrificing [sic] his country in the least iota. The M'leod affair looks the worst at present, but hope it will, be finally, properly adjusted." |
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Robert Stuart, Detroit, to William Woodbridge, Washington. -- 1841, July 16. -- 2 p. A.L.S. General notePage 1-2: "There is an attack made on the Farmer & Mechanics Bank to day, to which I have little doubt it will have to yield, its Bills will not pass this afternoon — The scrip seems to be in tolerable repute, yet, but the people have the hydrophobia, & our profligate presses keep cold water before their face, night & day; and unless you give us a more comely 'monster' , than I anticipate, from the present shuffling in your ranks, we had better 'give up the ship'—I am perfectly disfusted at the pusillalnimity of our Whig friends—I would not allow a Loco to add to or diminish the bill even by one letter – their only object is to throw dissension & every other species of evil among you, this induces them now & then, I see, to introduce a plausible amendment &c.: but every thing from them, should be rejected –it is hard if the Whigs cannot make out a bill without their aid – Mr. Clay has raised himself greatly in my estimation by his bold, manly, & patriotic course, especially, as he could make smooth weather, by coming under the lee of old dominion – I am truly happy to see you go hand in hand with him; but no thanks to you, for you cannot help it – is it not constitutional?" |
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Thomas Rowland, Detroit, to William Woodbridge, Washington. -- 1841, July 17 -- 3 p. A.L.S. General note
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