The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1828-07-24

MR.. CLAY'S PRIVATE AFFAIRS.

MR.. CLAY'S PRIVATE AFFAIRS.
MIR. Clay has addressed letter to the
Hon. Robert Nickhhe, Of Lexington, Ky.
on the subject of the Mortgages which has
caused So much joy in the ranks OF the OPP
position, the last two months. MT Nl'N-
life has published several extracts from
the letter, which we proceed ocopy.
WAsuINGroN, Oath May, 1928.
DEAR SIR:
The variety in their modes of attack, and
the industry ofmy enemies are remarkaole,
il not always cOmmendabIe. observe tha'
some Of them about Lexington have care.
fully searched The records OF Fayelte, and
extracted from them a most Formidable list
Of mortgages which are paraded as "vi
dcnce of my bankruptcy. The fairness OF
this proceeding, in my absence, on ardu-
ons rstlIc service, and without enquiry IN
- tie fact whether.the mortgages be ex
tInpushed or not, is submitted to my TEL
low citizens Of Fayctte. do not consider
that man who honestly tnIiis bS pccunla
~ engagements, Is entitled to any specia
praise, or | would not observe, that | can
conf lentlv appeal to all with whom ever
had pecunlary transactions, to bear testl
mony to the fidelity with which have dis
charged mine. invite the sevcrest scru,
tiny into my conduct in that respect, and
request a comparison OF 1t with that OF any
one ofthose who now assai me. l never
was sued in my life for an uncontested debt
Indeed have NJ rec ecollection a, thus time,
of having ever been sued for any ascer-
tained debt, contested or uncon,es'ed, an =
whether | was principal or endorser
IMr. Clay then speaks of heavy re
sponsibllity, incurred about ten years ago,
as endorscr for his friends-and proceeds !
To that cause is to be attributed my
temporary retirement from public l'ie, and
the renewal of my professional labors.
then resolved not TO endorse for others, ex
cept in extraordinary cases, and not to ask
others TO endorse for me and that, when
il becomes necessary for me to give secn'
rity. to pledge, in the form Of mortgages,
that estate which was the ultimate resource
of nv creditors. Hence the greater mum
Der Of the mortgages which have been re-
Gently so Indignantly exposed to the pub
Tic observation. Most Of them have been
long since satisfied. Among this number
is one for debt Of $4,000 for the pay
ment of which you had kindly become my
surety. every cent of which has long since
been d,schar ged. There are not subsis'
ting mortgages upon my estate to the n
mount of ten thousand dollars and before
the wear expires hope there will not re-
main more than one fifth of that sum.
have hitherto met all my engagements by
the simplest Of processes that OF living
within my income, punctually paying inter
est when could not pay the principal, and
carefully preserving my credit.
am not free, absolutely, from debt.
am not rich. Inever coveted riches. Bu
my estate would even now be estimated a
not much less than 100000. Whateve'
it NAV be worth it is a qualification TO M
to know, that il is the production of my owl
honest labor, no part oft being hereditary
except one slave, who would oblise M
yerv much ifhe would accept his freedom
1t is sufficient after paying all my debts t,
leave nv family above want, # should b
separated from them. II il a matter also {
cons ,laton TO me TO know. that this wanto
exposure of my Private affairs can do IN
no pccuniary prejudice. My few creditor
will not allow their confidence IN me 10
shaken by II. II has indeed led TO one d
ciaen, which was at the same time n sourt
Of pleasure and pain. A friend lately ca
led IN me al the instance of other friend
and Informed M, that they were spprehe
awe that my private affairs were embnrra
So and that | allowed their cmbarra,
mcn, to prev upon my mind. lie can
thnctore with their authority, TO tell I
thcv would contribute any sun that IN
wsn, 20 relieve me The em tons VIII
such proposition excited can bs sease