The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1827-08-08
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HENRY CLAY.

the editor OF the Massachusetts, Journal
lie was the son of Baptist Minister
and was born in Hanover county, Virginia
on the 18th April, 1777. He inherited
nothing but the inestimable privileges Of
an American citizen. At an early age he
was placed in the Office of Mr.. Tinsley.
Clerk of the high Court of Chancery. In
this situation he gave such proofs of unconl-
mon capacity, that he acquired the friend
ship and patronage of Chancellor Wythe
and of Governor Brooke; and by their ad-
vice he studied law. immediately after
his admission to the bar, he proceeded to
Kentucky, spent some further time in
study, and then opened an office. He was
soon IN full practice and he went into the
Kentucky Convention for forming a new
Constitution, and exerted himself, both in
ana out OF 1t, to procure the abolition of
slavery. In few years &c became Speak
er OF the House of Representatives in the
Legislature of Kentucky and to his ex-
pedence in that office, he and his country
we're indebted for his unexampled success
as Speaker of the House of Representatives
IN Congress. While yet young man, he
was twice chosen to serve for short periods
IN the Senate of the United States. In the
chair Of the House of Representatives, Mr..
Clay did not excuse himself from the inves-
ugatlon and discussion of every great ques-
ton. In 1914, he was withdrawn from
congress to new station, that of Foreign
Minister; and he bore and important and
honorable part in the prudent and able ne
EQUATION of peace at Client, and, subse-
quently, in the formation of a commercial
convention with Great Britain. On his re-
turn to the United States, he was offered
by MIR. Madison the mission to Russia, and
seat in the cabinet, both of which he sue
cesslvely declined. Mr.. Munroe offered
him department, and the mission to Great
Britain which he also declined. He still
preferred that great theatre of his tri-
umphs, the popular assembly of the nation ;
and, as he once expressed himself, to
draw somewhat longer in the traces of the
profession" He came forward early and
tearlessly as the advocate for the recogni-
ton OF South American independence and
there are few names more intimately and
happily associated throughout this hemis-
phere with that great and glorious boon
to seven rising nations, than that of Henry
Clay. Equally seasonable and bold were
his exertions in favor of domestic industry F.;
and 1t is but just to say, that he has done
more for it than other man living. Ever
true and untlring IN the cause OF America
and of man, he united with our Webster in
sending across the Atlantic the voice of
comfort and encouragement to the Greeks.
In 1925, Mr.. Adams was elevated to the
elective seat; and to the illustrious lawyer,
legislator and statesman of the west, he
did less than each of his two immediate
predecessors had done he offered HIN a
seat in the cabinet, which Mr.. Clay, now
ripe in years and in fame, accepted; and
when the bitter resentments of baffied GU
,pidity and disappointed ambition shall have
passed away, the whole people will, as we
believe majority does now, recognize the
justice of a remark of the good La Fayette
1t will be (said he) a subject of congratu
lation to the friends of liberty in both hem
,jispheres, that Henry Clay is placed first il
the cabinet of North America
Mr. Clay in every situation has stood
pre-eminent. He bears the clearest insig
mia of natures nobility. In any country
or time no =o%!a have been q characte
for history, or, as Napoleon expressed it
zone of Plutarch's men," In Greece h
would have been Themistocles in Romt
Camillus in Great Britain Chatham
In our republic he is unquestionably mag
7.G G!teYG SpeS.