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[AMERICAN POLITICAL FIGURES, SPEAKERS OF THE HOUSE, PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES, US CONGRESS]
On offer here is an ORIGINAL AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED BY US ICONIC STATESMAN HENRY CLAY IN 1844.
The letter written on a standard stampless cover (9.0 in x 11.0 in folded; 18.0 in x 11.0 unfolded) w/ original wax seal and 'December 4th' postmark stamp from 'Lexington, KY'. There are two 'non-Clay' additions to the letter, the first is a ink pen note memorializing this is a 'Letter from Henry Clay' (likely by Mundy or his secretary) and a later pencil notation likely by the person who collected this letter (perhaps in the 1910's - 1920's) commenting 'A letter which speaks for itself and anachronistic of the writer'.
Included is also an albumen print (3.5 in x 4.5 in) of a mid-life engraving of Clay which was previously affixed lightly with glue but since removed but is included with this lot. This image was added later by a collector in the 1910's - 1920's and isn't contemporary to the letter.
Clay here writes a letter to his friend C. G. Mundy as a delayed reply to his letter he was unable to write because he was feeling ill. No doubt related to the grueling Presidential campaign Clay had been engaged in and recently lost precisely on the date of this letter December 4th, 1844; the day voting ended for this election. History informs us Clay likely lost the 1844 election due to his waffling stance on the subject of the annexation of Texas into the Union. Despite being a slaveholder, Clay also did not want to upset the balance of free vs slaveholding states in the nation. Following Clay's loss, Polk would go onto annex Texas which essentially began the Mexican-American War which also in turn led to a further 8 states (Texas, Nevada, California, Utah, New Mexico, Oregon, & Washington) being ushered into the Union over the next 6 years.
Mundy had previously written Clay on some matter Clay likely thought he could address had he won the Presidency and he laments not being able to effect whatever change on the issue and shifts the focus to hope on the matter onto Polk who had just been elected. An interesting letter by a controversial, yet highly influential figure in American politics for several decades.
Clay writes:
Ashland, 4th Dec 1844
Dear Sir
I duly received your favor of the 30th Oct to which I have been prevented from before transmitting an answer in consequence of a severe illness. Altho I am still almost too weak to write, I cannot longer delay the reception of my thanks.
I am obliged by the regrets you feel on account of my not being placed in the office of C. (hief) Magistrate of the U.S. Perhaps is is best as it is. (he suspected by then he had lost the election) What our country wants is an upright, able and prosperous administration of its public affairs; and is a matter of subordinate importance by whos agency that is produced.
Let us hope that we shall experience that great National benefit under the auspices of the President elect.
I am Your Friend and obedient Servant,H. Clay
_______________________
Henry Clay Sr. (April 12, 1777 – June 29,1852) was an American lawyer and statesman who representedKentucky in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. He was theseventh House speaker as well as the ninth secretary of state. Heunsuccessfully ran for president in the 1824, 1832, and 1844 elections.
He helped found both the National Republican Party andthe Whig Party. For his role in defusing sectional crises, he earned theappellation of the "Great Compromiser" and was part of the"Great Triumvirate" of Congressmen, alongside fellow Whig DanielWebster and Democrat John C. Calhoun.
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