Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1828-06-17
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH /.
TxENRY ssLAy.

vi AldHusci, III virginia. his ldtnef, J0Hn Clay,
was AN eloquent and plous divine, of the Baptist
persuasion. Henry, his second son, was born in
April 1776, and was still very young, when the good
Clergyman died, leaving hi, family in rather crcum-
serlbed circumstances. His mother, therefore.
could not afford to expend much on the education of
her children. To early tuition in the schools, Henry
is, in consequence, but little indebted. 1t is not to
be supposed, however. but that mind constituted
like young Clay's embraced every opportunity that
offered, for the attainment of knowledge although
the discipline of regular scholastic education was
not to be obtained, the want of it must have been
amply aoned for, by the energy of voluntary appli-
cation to the most useful branches of study.
At very early age, we indeed find that Mr.. Clay
was qualified to perform the duties Of clerk in the
ChanceIy office at Richmond 1t was there that he
attracted the attention of that eminent and benevo-
lent lawyer, Chancellor Wytbe, one of the Signers
of the Declaration of Independence. This vene-
rabe patriot no sooner perceived the fine genius and
agreeable manners OF young Clay, than he became
his patron and instructor. With him, the poor
| phan, who possessed no recommendation from either
friends " fortune. found an ASYLUM and home.
| Under the auspices of this kind benefactor, Mr..
Clay soon acquired proficiency in the law and
/ in the autumn Of 1877, he removed to Lexington,
/ in Kentucky, where he engaged in the practice Of
4 his profession with such success, that he was the
the next year induced to marry, and received the
hand Of daughter Of Colonel Hart, who had emf
grated from near llagerstown in Maryland. His
domestic attachments, however, did not in the least
weaken either his strong Of duty to his cOun-
ty, or that ardent love of liberty for which he has
been distinguished for in the same year that he
married. he cammeced that political career which
he has ever since so unremttingv pursued, and
which has conferred such signal benefits upon his
country.
4 1t was in that year (l798) that the memorable
talp nd hppama
much contention throughout the Union and in
none Of the States was the dispuation more warml
maintained than in Kentucky.
In the midst of this angry and doubtful conflict
Mr.. Clay unhesitatingly threw himself into til,
e ranks of the opposition. and young as he was, hi
was soon able to produce the most powerful and for
tunate effect in his zeal for the popular rights. I'll
: sometimes addressed the crowd from wagon,
scafold, or i'll a cabin. or in court house, just a
opportunity presented. 1t was on these occasion
that the dawn of his unrivaed eloquence dis
: Mayed. The people listened with delight to hi
speeches, and became speedily convinced of tn
unconsttutionality and pernlcious tendency Of tn
~ contested laws.
d young man of such powers of mind, opennes
y Of sentiment and irmness of resolution, could nj
be suffered TO remain long private life, and 500
as age rendered him eligible. he was elected to
seat in the state legislature, although he was at I'll
time absent from the neighborheod. The election
: in Kentucky continued open for three days. On tt
last day of the election he happened to return HON
y and received the first intimaton of his being ca
" didate from some OF the electors, whom, as he a
Ct preached the vicinity Of Lexington, he met comb
= rom the polls.
T. From this time, Mr.. Clay continued to be lea
ie !, ing member of the House of Representatives
IL Kentucky, until 1906, when he was elected to Il
n Senate of the United Staes to serve the remand
"a of the term for which governor Adair, who had
signed, was elected.
Sc The next season, Mr. Clay, again entered t
Legislature of Kentucky, of which he continued
active and efficient member, until the year 100
when he was again transferred to the Senate OF t
- United States. During this second period of
services in the National Senate he greatly dist
gushed himself on two memorable questions. L
. first related to the occupation, by President Mat
son, of that part of Louisiana which lies between
ne Mississippi s. the Perdido, and is usually called WI
10 FLORIDA. His speech this occasion was trumpha
i vindication of Mr.. Madison's conduct and was gel
rally admitted to display more research into the
~ ture of our claim to the territory in question: and
III afford stronger proofs of its validity than that ma
by any other member Mr. Clay entered the Hou
Of Representatives, on the 4th Of November, l8l
j., and on the same day was elected Speaker. In I'll
i station, it is believed that man ever acquitt
- himselfwith more firmness, dignity and impartia
-, and let no man ever presided over body mt
~ violently agitated by the dissenons of party, III
1er the Lower House of Congress has frequently be
Ill., since he occupied the chair During the first peri
ny of his presiding its deliberations preparatio
were made for the war which was declared in l8l
He was interchangeable in his exertions to mainti
the cause of the country, and to place it in CT
dtion to meet the crisis.
SIS, While Mr.. Clay remained in the House of R
representatives. he never ceased encouraging the d
hearened and contributing all in his power, to
of vigorous prosecution of the war. He declared
favor of the imposition of taxes for that object, i
SC. metliaely at its commencement, which would ha
averted many of the subsequent financial c
It's barrassnens but he, Mr.. Cheves, and their {