The Woodstock age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1844-1845, 1844-11-07
From the Mansfield Shield and Banner.
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Re0d! Read!

HENRY CLAYS Profanity and insult
to Ladies on board the Steamboat doacn
The Ohio Rirer last spring, PROVEN
by a deroied Preacher ofMe Gospel, and
an ye-witness.
sEJ%Ihe fact that Henry Clay on his
way home after his southern electoneer-
ing trip ala last spring grossly insult alb
olItion LADIES' on board a steamboat, and
utter the most profane language in their
presence, as well as overlook his son while
playing cards on the same boat, we made
known on several occasions, averring at
the same time, that if publicly denied we
could produce the proof The whg
press here studiousIy avoided calling for
the proof, knowing that it was in the
hands of a minister of the Gospel in this
county, while privately they were busy
in pronouncing it false. The Reverend
gentleman alluded to being himself
wing, and the writer wing, Johnston, of
the Bugle, became emboldencd, suppos-
ing that the facts could not be obtained,
and therefore, pronounced US "a FALsI-
FER" just before the election, and de-
clarcd the charges false in toto. Now,
Professor Johnston, alias, Roorback,
should have learned by this time, that we
make no such assertions, without having
the proof to sustain us. We therefore
give the most positive proof below, in a
letter from the Rev. Hugh Forsyth, of
farvlew, Guernsey county, o., to Rev.
s. Findley, of Lexington in this county,
both of whom arc wings and pious and
useful ministers of the Gospel, The let
ter was not intended for publication, I'M
less Rev.Mr F'indley's authority should be
questioned, he having stated the facts in
Lexington, shortly after they happened
on board the boat. If more proof were
necessary of Henry Clay's grossly i'm
moral conduct on that occasion, other
preachers who we're present willcorrobor-
ate Reverend Mr. Forsyth's statcmcnt.--
But it is not--no one will publicly dare
'mpugn the veracity of either Rev. Mr.
Forsyth or Rev. Mr. Findley, unless it
be Professor Roorback of the Bugle,
who published Mr. Polk as a gambler and
duellist, and Mr. Tod as drunkard.-
Need VIC ask moral community to re-
fleet before they lend their aid in placing
in the highest Office in the gift of any peo-
/ pie, man, who although his hairs are
whitcned for the grave, retains all the
vicious habits of the libcrtine, gambler,
duellist, proianc swearer and Sabbath
breaker' viii they be willing that Hen
ry Clay shall be the standard for the NOR
ais Of this nation: Let the moral and re-
ligious pause and reflect
Fairvicw, Guernsey CO, July 90. 1874.
Dc0r Friend:-lours of June ult came
duly to hand, You wish me to write
you the particulars of my late boat voy-
age, so far as they relate to the Hon. ii
Clay. | have no hesitation in doing so,
inasmuch as it is important that every
person should know the character of per-
sons who are candidates for the highest
office in the gift of the American people.
On Thursday Evening 10th of May last
took passage for Cincinnati, aboard
'the Little Pilot" then at Wheeing.-
Henry Clay was aboard the same boat
and travelled with US from Wheeling 10
Maysville, Ky, / had of course a fair
opportunity to hear him converse, and
witness his demeanor. And | must saw
that saw and heard things with which
was much disguised. On the evening of
the 18th he engaged in a conversation
with gentleman and lady on the subject
OF SlavcsE. In this conversation he made
use ofprofanc language. Some of his
heterogeneous he commenced in the fol-
lowing way: What the derH, Sc. But
that was not the worst. heard him dis
tinctly confirm one of his assertions with
the oath by Cd Two or three per.
sons on board the boat told me that thew
heard him make use of this oath two or
three times during the conversation.
heard him but once, did not, however,
hear all of the conversation. ] heard a
vulgar expression drop from his lips.
which astonished me, inasmuch as there
were perhaps dozen respectable look
ing ladies', (and | know some of them
rcre respectablc) listened attcntively to
the conversation. The gentleman who
was conversing with Mr. Clay, had occa-
sion to make use of the term manhood.
when speaking of the slaves. Mr. Clay
afterwards remarked in substance as fol-
lows: 81 do not know what you mean
by the term mdnhOod, when YOU apply it
TO the slaves. But sir, the slaves have
their manhood, as properly as we have,
and | do not know but they have little
more manhood than we have. They can
cal more, and mork more, and ret mare
chiidrtn than any of you" The last
clause | noticed very distinctly. So much
for what heard. saw one or two
things | did not like. Mr. Clay was ac-
companied by son of his, young man
who appeared to be about twenty wears
OF age. lie may have heen older but
he did not appear so. This young man
played at cards large portion of his
time on Friday, while his father looked
on, and appeared to be interested in the
game. These things | saw and heard,
and they convinced me that Mr. Clay has
been a very immoral man, and that though
his head is now hIps 10, a.