Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-06-25
LITERARY CADET
PROVIDENCE. WEDNESDAY. JUNE rs.
MR.. CLAY.s PRIVATE AFFAIRS.


MR. CLAY'S PRIVATE AFFAIRS.
Mr. Clay has addressed q letter to the Hon.
RoBERr wIcxLITTE, Of Lexington, Kentucky
on the subject Of the Mortgages which has
caused SC much Joy in the ranks OF the OPPo-
cit ion, the last two months. Mr.. WiekhBe
has published several extracts from the letter
which we proceed to copy.
WAsHINGroN. 2ith May 1928.
Dear Sir:
The variety in their modes Of attack, and
the industry pf my enemies sro remarkable, If
not always commendablc. | observe thar
some Of them abopt Lexington have carefully
searched the records oi Fsyette, and extracted
from them a most formidable lisl of mortgages
which are paradcd as evidence Of my bankrupt
cy. The fairness. Of this proceeding, IN my
absence. On aiduous public service, and with
GU; enquiry INTO tho fact whether Tire mortga-
ges be exiiaguIshed or not, Is submitted 10 my
fellow citizens OF Fayetle. ! do not consider
that a man who honestly fulhls his pecnniary
enga gements, Is entitled to any special praise.
or would not observe, that can confidently
appeal To all with whom ever had pecuniary
transac aciions, to bear testimony 10 the fidelity
with which have discharged mine. invite
tho severesi scrutiay iato my conduct in that
respect, and request "A comparison of II with
that Of any one Of those who now assail me.
never was sued IN my life for an uncontesto cd
debi-Indeed have no recollection at this
time, Of having ever been sued Tor any ascer-
tanned debt, contested or uncon,ested, and
whether was principal or endorser.
Mr.. Clay then speaks ofa heavy RESPONSE
blhy, incurred about ten years ago, as endors-
er for his friends and proceeds]-To that
cause is to be attributed my temporary retire
ment from pubic life, and the renewal Of my
professional labours. | then resolved not TO
endorse for others, except in extraordinary Ca
ses, and not to ask others to endorse for me;
and that, when il becomes necessary for IN, to
give security, to pledge. i'll the form ofmortgs-
yes. that estate which was the ultimate resource
Of my creditors. Hence the greater number OF
the mortgages which have been recently so
Indignantly exposed 10 the public observation.
Most Of them have been long since satisfied.
Among this number, is one for a debt o' $50 600
for the payment Of which you had kindly be-
come my surety, every cent Of which has long
since been discharged. There are not subss-
ting mort cages upon my estate to the amount
Of ten thousand dollars; and before The year
expires hope there will not remain more than
one fifth OF that sum. ! have hitherto met
all my enga agoments by the simplest Of process
rs, that of living within my income, punctu-
ally paying interest whom | could not pay
the principal, and carefully preserving my
credit.
am not free, absolutely, from debt. | am
no, rich. I never coveted riches. But my es-
ta'e would even now be csiim,ted at not much
less than 500. 900. Whatever il may be worth
1t is qualification tn me Ia know, that II IS the
production ofmy own honest labor, no part OF
it beng hereditary, except one slave, who
would oblige me very much if he would accept
his freedom. II is sufh eient after paying all
nv debts. TO leave my family above want. II
should be separated from them. 1t is a matter
also OF consolstion to mo to know, that this
wanton exposure Of my private affairs can do
me no pecuniary prejudice. My few credit
ors will not allow their confidence in me TO be
shaken by it, I, has indeed led to one incl
dent, which was 1T the same tine source of
pleasure and of pain. A friend lately called
on me at the instance Of other friends, and IN
formed ME. that they were apprehensIve that
nv private affairs were embarrassed, and that
allowed heir emba rr,ssment to prey upon my
mind. He cane, therefore with their author.
! ~, TO toll me they would contribute any sum
that I might want to relisve me. The emo
J ,ions which such proposition excited can
be CON ewed bv honorable men. l felt
most happy to be able to undeceive them,
and to decline their bensvo!ant proposition.
am with great respect.
Your friend and obedent servant;
H. CLAY