The Woodstock age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1844-1845, 1844-09-12
'4stoundiag Letter. Recent Developments
q Coy's Deprarity!-GamLlng at Bhs
Link Springs.

Lirk Springs.
The following letter is from one of the
most distinguished men in Kentucky, an
elder in the church, and one intimately
acquainted with Henry Clay. 1t was
written in answer to one from US, inquir.
ing into the truth of Deacon Harmon
klngsburys communication to the public
respecting Clay's character, and which
is now going the rounds ofthc wing pa
pers. If the statements contained in
this letter are true, (and the writer has
opened the way to test their truth, Hen
ry Clay must not only be a mad-mon, but
'w'thom method IN his madness" His
recklessness must disgust his friends,
who are making such desperate efforts to
elect him, and he must count upon his
C lection sure or his defeat certain, in or
der to reconcile his late conduct with that
OF sane or even indiscreet man. He
seems to delight in giving the lie to all
the pretensions of his friends in respect
to his character for morality, and has
lately exposed to open ridicuIe those who
favor his claims for the Pre- idency on the
ground of his anti Annexation principles,
by declaring that PERSONALLY, HE
HAD NO OBJECTIONS TO ANNEX
But to the letter:
Lexington, July 30, 1914.
Sir;-Your letter, requesting some in
formation about the religious character Of
Henry Clay, and the opinion held of it by
the community in which he lives, has been
received, | vas much surprised to hear
that any man, who has visited Lexington,
and conversed with any person except his
most unscrnpuIous partlzans, should be ca
pabc Of publishing such card as that Of
your Presbyterian deacon, OF which you
inform me. am not much surprised at
his reference to Mr. Clay's pastor forlan en-
dorsemenl OF his character as a moral and
even rehgious man, but why | am not sur.
prlsed,l will not now detail | will not now
deny 10 Mr. Clay the merit, il there he any
merit in it, Of attending sometimes with
his lady, upon the services of the Episco-
pat church, but that he is a strict observer
Of the Sabbath, his whole past life, down TO
his late tour through the southern states
dlsproves,
MIR Clay's friends act unwisely in the
course they pursue. lfthey were cam
dldly to acknowledge that he is card
player for money, and prolane swearer,
and beg the forgiveness of his political
friends for his indulgences, he would re-
ain the support Of large number of
such deac"us and pastors and their asso-
'lates. With them, MIR Clay already
n"lds one Of the royal attributes Of tho
British constitution, that the King can do
10 ,rrong. 1t is true, it might lnjure him
with the mass Of the wings, who having
no expectation of official patronage, are
still influenced by motives of patriotism
md morality, and would shrink with I'M
affected horror at the idea of elevatng to
he highest office in the nation, man
sho almost daily sets such rulnous ex-
lmple to the present and rising genera.
ion.
But to the facts Mr. Clay is an habit.
'oi c"rd player for money lie plays at
private houses and public taverns, and
openly for money. He does not pretend
o deny it; he does not pretend TO con-
zeal it, He played openly on board the
boat which brought him from Wheeling
% Maysville on his late return from
W Washington, for money. He has repeat
ID It III Lexington since his return; and
IN one occasion, where he lost his mon
y, he cursed his partner for bad playing,
o prolancly, although he was a personal
md political friend, that one of the party
aid that had he used him so, he would
lave knocked him down.
But why pretend to multiply cases,
when his whole career is stained with a
cries of such acts. authorize you to
ay that Mr. Clay was at the Blue Lick
asst week, and during several days was
ntcn'ly engaged in card playing for NOM
y, and as was generally reported ard
he was successful. But as is
sual with him, whenever he was losing.
e cursed proIaneIy, and lost his temper;
ut when winning, he was bland, witty
nd agreeblc.
Now sir, assert tue foregoing facts to
&c true. But | do not wish my name to
&c brought before the public as the au-
hority upon which YOU make the charg-
S. On one condition only, will | waivo
ny objection. If Mr. Clay will deny the
ruth of the statements, will DENY that he
lays cards for money, or that he is
roiane swearer, you may give my name
p. If his friends shall write to him and
btain his denial, please to inform mo
by mail, aud the issue shall
&c tried. If, however, they shall con-
rnt themselves with general denials,
eicr you for proof to Gov Poindexter,
\. Throckmorton. Daniel Vertner, Of
lexington, Mr. Ballard of Louisville, Mr.
'outhgate of Cincinnati, aud any other
Gentlemen who have associated with him
I the watering places or taverns, or on
he steamboats, of the West.
ResppctfiIlly