The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-09-03
SKETCH OF MR.. CLAY's LIFE.


Hi history is he history of his country. On
the 18th April, l777, he was born in Hanover
county, Virginia, OF parents in the most INDECENT
circumstances.
La l792, his father being dead, and his mother
having married again, and removed 10 Kentucky.
he left friendless orphan boy in the office
of P. rimsley, Esq Clerk Of the High Court of
Chancery of Virginia.
In 1877, having previously studied law, he re-
moved 10 Kentucky, and opened an attorneys Of
flee in Lexington-wthout patrons, without inau-
entail friends, and without the means of paying
his weekly board, aud Immediately rushed into a
lucrative practice.
In 1898, he opposed the alien and sedtinn laws
Of John Adams, and about this time acquired the
title Of the "grea commoner."
In 1903 he was elected to the lower house OF
the Kentucky Legislature from Fayette county,
without his knowledge, or any solicitation on his
part, while absent AT the Olympian Springs.
In 1906, he was elected to the Senate of the
United States to supply vacancy accustomed by
the resignation of the Hon John Adar.
In lSO0 he was again elected to the Kentucky
Legislature, and was chosen Speaker.
In 1909, he was again elected to the Senate of
the United States, to supply the vacancy occa-
stoned by the resignation of the Hon. Buckner
Thruston.
In 1911, having choice of seat in the Senate
or House of Representatives of the United States,
he was elected to the latter, and was on the first
ballot elected Speaker, an honor never before or
since conferred on any new member.
In 1912, he supported the War with all his
power.
In 1913, he was again elected to Congress, and
again chosen Speaker.
In 1914, he resigned his seat in Congress, hav-
ing been appointed one of the Commissioners to
proceed to Europe to negotiate a treaty of peace
with Great Britain, which was effected.
In 1915, he returned to the United States, hav-
ing been previously unanimously elected to Con-
gress but doubts arising to the legality of the
| election, new one was held with the same result,
and he was again chosen Speaker.
In 1917, he was again e ected to Congress, and
chosen Speaker.
in favor of the independence of the South Ameri-
can States, which was read at The head of their
armies.
In 1919, he was elected to Congress, ard again
chosen Speaker.
In 1920, having determined to retire from Con-
gress on account of his private affairs, he resign
ed the Speakership.
In 1921 he settled the Missouri Question, thus
acquiring the title of the Great Pacifcator," and
retired from Congress.
In 1923, he was again elected to Congress, and
In 1926, he was appointed Secretary of State
by Mr.. Adams; and, it is said, negotiated more
treaties than all his predecessors together.
In 1929, returns to Kentucky, and retires to
private life.
In 1881, he was again elected to the Senate Of
the United States.
In 1888, he introduced the Compromise Bill,
and thus saved the country from civil war.
In 1885, he made the French report, und saved
the country from war with France.
In 1912, he resigned his seat in the Senate and
retired to Ashland.
He was in the service Of his country for about
35 years-supported, with distinguished ability,
the administrations of Jefferson, Madison, and
Monroe-enjoyed the highest confidence of them
all, (belng offered by Monroe seat IN the cabinet,
and a carte blanche of the foreign missions -was
the great friend and patron of all the great inter-
ess of the country, agriculture commerce, and
manufactures, and is completely identified with
them all, that his history is emphatically the his
tory of his country