Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-05-13

tant work. though shall take interest in its sue.
cess know, IN truth. little, If any thing of Mr..
Clays life, that is not known to US all He has been
so long and so consciously before the pnbic Tint
his maine has become Unidentified with the most i'm
portap measures of the country for the last twenty
years, whether originating in its Legislative councils
or dependlng upon It's executive acts. l we'll re-
member, that during the war Of 1919 havino nv
sen nad share IN the administration of Mr. Mad
son during that war, though ONLY in an humble
way, we consider Mr. Clay as the great prop Of the
pubic cause IN Congress. However eminent aud
useul others might have been, he stood foremost in
ardour, In eoquence, In power achieve the great
ends which the -rXigeGcies orhat period denonded
Tins, OF itself, Is no light praise when that bod,
contained such men as Lowndes, Cheves and Cal
noun, besides others of scarcely inferior reuown.
Il hrst became intimately assoc;atsdin political
and personal intercourse with Mr. Clay III 1925,
when he assumed the duties of the Department of
State. Up 70 that period, must own, that highly
as /, in common with Others, rated him as public
speaker as we'll as for those other commanding quail
ltes Of The mind, that fit lake the lead In the
business OF legislative assemblies sure, that
he would display equal abilities in The new field to
which he was called. Nevertheless it soon appeared
to me that he was alike pre-eminent in that field
IL appeared to me that he as deliberate as sara
cous, as instructive, council, as he had always
shown himself vehement, fervid and efficient III de
pate; perfectly master of all the great interests of
the nation at home and abroad, and pursuing them
with earnestness and zeal, yet with candour always
explaining his own open views upon whatever sub
jects might engage the deliberations of the execu-
tive, with clear, prompt and comprehensive ilae-
gence yet ready to listen to the opinions Of Others
ready, too, always to modify and correct his own
opinions, on good appearing for itfor to the
well being of the nation did he always look with an
ardent and enlightened patriotism;-such, in a word,
did Nh Clay appear to me in the cabinet; his mind
and his temper exhibiting the highest qualities of
the statesman, and each developing new excellence
as you came to survey them more closely If were
to write more of HIM, and above all, if were to go
INTO any of the eftec', which believe to
have been produced upon the policy of the nation,
In some of It's greatest interests whether domestic
or foreign, by his public exertions and services, |
should run into dispositions that would encroach
upon your province, which is far from my intention
SIT would be no very quick task to anayze all the
properties of Mr. Clay's rich and varied genius
Those who witness only the lighter charms which it
throws off IN the intercourse of society and
conversation, can scarcely know how profound and
accurate are lis operations, when it comes to deal
with public affairs, however diversified complica-
ted the scale which they may be presented to him.
Il remain, dear sir, with great respect
''Your ob't servt,