Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1844-06-06
LETTER FROM MR.. CLAY.
WAsnrNeroN, Nav 6, lsI4

NAsHINsToN, May 6, lS44.
J lily Dear Sir: | have received your
note, bringing to my notice certificate
subscribed by Ave gentlemen, members
OF the present House Of Representatives,
! ell OF them my political opponents, which
You inform me is going toe rounds Of the
, LocoiUco papers. Tbs object OF that GER
'tiicate seems 10 be TO verify the correct.
ness OF al extract taken from the Nation.
al Inteligencsr Of the LIST Of July, ls2O.
10 that extract am siattd By former
member OF the House Of Representatives
IA believe not now living to have re.
marked, in debate which occurred a
year before, 10 The following effect: "lf
gentlemen viii not allow Us to have black
slaves they must let Us have sehite ones:
I for we cannot cut our iirewood, aud black
our shoes, and have our wives and daugh.
/ tiers work in the Kitchen.
| think you attach ar Importance to
this miserable attempt 10 prejudice me
which il does not merit. Here IS an ex-
tract from the files Of the lntelligencer,
under date near twenty four years ego,
| moi from any speech of mine, but from
speech of another member of Congress.
/ lie does not undertake to give my cords,
but merely states his impression of the
! effect OF certain words used by me a year
5efore.
During the long and arduous discussions
of what was called the Missouri question,
| was so engrossed with the importance
of the subject, and so deeply apprehensve
of The awful consequences which it in
volyed, that never wrote out or correct.
ed any speech Of nine made during the
progress of the debate. On the last and
most important occasion Of the agitation
of that question, / made an elaborate
speech OF several hours duration, no part
of which, believe, was ever reported by
any OF the stenographers. as it certainly
never was by me.
certainly will not undertake TO recite
what were the precise words used by me
on the occasion Of any OF the numerous
speeches, short or long, which made in
Congress on the Missouri question but
this | will undertake TO assert, with tho
most perfect confidence, that never used
the words, or any words which would
bear the import Of the extract, to which
! | have alluded. ! am confident of it be-
cause ! never entertained such sen,i-
ment in my life: never conceived
contingency in which | would favor or
countenancs reducing white men to sla-
very. To such an imputation | may
oppose the tenor of whole life, during
which my humble exertions have been
constantly directed to the preservation Of
liberty at home and the encouragement
OF its establishment in foreign countries.
/ If have not been able to extend these
exertions to the black race held in bon.
dage in this country, it has been because,
of considerations and conviction, sincerely
and honestly entertained, embracing the
peace and happiness both Of the white and
black races, which have often been pre-
scented TO the public.
1t is quite possible that, in arguing up.
on the existence of the institution of sla-
very in this country, may have con,en.
ded that the black race supplied those
domestic offices which, under the name
of "help," "menial servants" end "do.
mestics," are 10 be found in every state of
civilized society, and consequently reliev-
ed the white race from the performance
of those offices. lf have ever employ
ed such an argument, (of which have no
recollection it is apparent how errone-
Gus inierences may have been drawn
from it which did not authorize.
| have no desire to disparage the indus.
| try OF tho wives OF any of the certlfers
to the extract, nor TO boast of that in nv
own family but venture &c say that
no one Of them performs moro domestic
industry with her own hands than my
wife does at Ashland
am, with great respect, your friend
and obedient servant. II. CLAY.
Hon. JouN WHITE.