The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1838-04-27
Fsaa Aisxaa4st's Asskly Messenger.
BIOGRAPHY OF HENRY CLAY.

The fame Of this eminent statesman
and his history, are already familiar 10
msny. A condensed view Of his brilliant
career. trust, wili Be interesting 90 most,
il not III. &c The readers whose eyes this
brief sketch may meet. To know how
and Why he has risen 80 high in The scale
OF being. may excite TO emulation. When
we consider hat Hsary Clay has been the
architect Of his 0En fortune. has mounted
the ladder Of distinction by his own ex-
ertiOns, aided alone By his native talent
and industry, his biography becomes
doubly interesting.
lie is 4 native Of Hanover county, Viz
ginia. and was born on the l2lh Of April,
I.97. His father, who was an esteem
ed clergyman. died when his son was but
\ child, leaving no means by which he
could receive the advantages Of a CLASH
cal education. When but bny. Henry
Clay entered the Office of Mr.. Tiasley,
then clerk Of The High Court Of Chaneery
al Richmond, where his embryo talents
began 10 bud and expand. Naturally u
mIable in his disposition, nTbsns in bis
manners. noble and generous, open and
frank, be gained The friendship Of those
with whom he had intercourse, amongst
whom we're gentlemen Of The highes! rank
and m0sI extensive influence. Al the age
Of nineteen he commenced the study OF
the law, and so astonishing was his pro-
ficiency, that in one year aller. he was
admitted to practice. lie soon proved to
his friends, aud TO the courts in which he
praciised. that strength Of intellect is not
based upon collegiate diploma, aud that
talents sometimes shine without receiving
an artificial polish from classic master.
American history is rich with such spe-
cimens.
Soon after his admission, Mr.. Clay re-
moved to Lexington, Ky. where he Pur-
sued The study Of law some time before
he commenced practice. Naturally Diff
dent. he attached himself TO a debating
society. in order TO become better prepar-
ed TO enter upon his duties as an sdvo-
cate. II is said his embarrassment was
SO great when he first appeared before
his colleagues in debate, that he address
ed the President, "gsn!lsmen Of the .ju-
ry." In q few moments, however, he
became collected, and aslonished his de-
lighted audience with flow Of eloquence
that Of once placed him OH the high road
TO distinction. After remaining al Lex
ingion a year, he took his place al The
bar, and was soon favored with lucra-
tive practice. lie grappled learlessly
with the most eminent lawyers, aud soon
stood at the head Of his profession. lie
gained the respect Of the courts AMI the
affection Of his clients. Almost ceten-
poraneously with his maturity. his poll
neal career commenced.
Ia 1903 Mr.. Clay was elected a men,
Der of The Kentucky legislature, where
he soon gained an unrivalled influence.
lie was there surrounded BY the ablest
men OF the state. veterans in legislation,
who had been accustomed 10 consider
young members in duty bound 10 listen
and obey, and not 10 attempt. for time.
any thing beyond the study Of parlia-
meniary rules. But they soon became
convinced that the soaring mind of the
Young Virginisn moved in an orbit co ex-
Iensive with their broadest expanse. lie
uss perfectly at home upon every SUBJ
iect, and guarded. with an argus eye. the
interests Of his constituents. held subject
always to the general good. His politi-
cal motto has ever been, my country,
my ,chOie country, and nothing but my
country"
In 1906, Mr.. Clay was elected to The
Senate Of the United States for one year,
to gil the vacancy Occasioned by the re-
signa,ion Of Mr.. Adsir. He there not
only sustained the high reputation he had
gained al home, but acquired additional
fame with each succeeding effort. Du-
ring that session, he became the bold ad-
voca,e of the internal improvement sys-
TEN, and has ever remained its firm and
faithful friend. His first speech in the
Senate was in favor of bill for the cree
tion Of a bridge over the Potomac at
Georgetown; and so clearly did he pre-
sent its prospective advantages, and so
fully did he answer the arguments Of its
opponents. that he obtained the merit Of
efFecting its FINAL passage. Dnring his
short stay al Washington, he added large.
~ to his list OF admirers and friends.
The ensuing year Mr.. Clay was elect
ed TO the legislature of his own state, and
was chosen speaker by very large ma
iority. During tina! session, he had an
opportunity. and exhibited forensic pow
ers of the highest order. An apercpt
was made. and was advocated a, FIRST by
large majority Of The members, 10 pro-
hibi, the use Of. or recurrence to, any
English law books, in :he courts Of Ken
lucky. This arose from a suppositlon
that the common law vas an inexplicabIe
mass, aud calculated to mislead rather
than inform the understanding. In a
clear, lucid, eloquent, and convincing ar
gumen,, their speaker exhibited its base