Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1845-10-30
uRNKy CLAY AND ASHLAND.

conversation" he people generally have,
or can be made to feel, any interest. Most
men have loca, habitaiIon and psme;
hut small indeed is the number whose
names have become so Intimately sssocIa.
ted with the glory Of their country, rs 10
render description Of their "Home" and
home life, Of public interest.
| Henry CLAY is one Of the few IN this
country, whose name and fame have be
C me public property. During period
of nearly forty years, his life has been
unexpectedly identified with his counify's
history and DUNG that time his prinei-
plies, his measures, and his eloquence, have
had conservative and saving influence
upin national affairs, and directed and
modified governmental action.
To speak OF such man, in his retire
ment upon his farm liz Ashland to des-
crlbe his plantation and appurtenances,
and give publicity to his daily habits and
manner Of living, cannot be regarded as
impairment 10 the writer, or undressing
to the resder.
The crty Of Lexington, adjoining which
is Ashland, is neat and flourishing inland
town, of some 900 inhabitants; it has
many handsome public aud private bull.
dngs, and and splendid McAdamized
roads leading 10 IT from all directions.
The surprising beauty and lovellness of
| Lexington consist, 10 everything tcithin
and Uithout the city. 1t is in the centre
OF an extensive range Of country, second
to no other in fertility, beauty and cuh-
walton and the number, elegance and
spaclousness of the private residences
without the town, give to ts attractions
more substantial, as well as ornamental,
than are possessed by any city in the
Union.
About one mile east ofthe city is Ash.
land, thu Farm and home of HENRY CLAY.
HIS house is a handsome and substantial
edirice, the main body about 40 by so
feet, with wings Of proporlionale dimen-
sions. II stands in the midst of proiu-
sion Of venerable forest trees, evetgIeens,
and shrubbery, upon gentle elevation, in
the centre of lot containing about 80
acres, and is some forty rods from the
road. A serpentlne carriage way leads
through the grove to the house, and nu.
merous pathways, tasteluly arranged,
sudlously preserved and improved. beau.
tify his extensive grounds. Ills house is
plainly hut we'll furnished. containing ma.
az choice and valusbl- evidences of the
respect and affection OF his countrymen.-
Then there IS stone cheese house and
| b,tt hnnpa ohI.n1 hotpu raIa
brated for the quantity Of butter and
cheese made thereat. HIS chicken house,
dove house. saoles. barns and sheds, are
all in perfect repair, spacious, neat, and in
order. His iruit and vegetable garden
contains about four acres, and in It's ar
Engagement ard cultivation saw Mrs. Clay
giving personal directions, There is also
a large green house" filled with choice
plants and beautiful flowers.
HIS negro cottages are exceedingly
comfortable, all white washed, clean and
well furnished, and plenty oil flowers in
the windows and about the dwellings,
HIS slaves possess more OF the comforts Of
life, have better dwellings,. are better clio.
tined, and work less than large majority
of the day aborers of the north. have
never seen an establishment IN any coun.
try, in all i,s departments furnish so ma.
ny proofs of domestic comfort, permanent
and useful arrangement, united with such
exceeding good taste and unpretending
elegance.
Mr.. Clay's Farm contains about eight
hundred acres. and in all my wanderIngs
including even Oh England, have new.
er seen the same number OF acles in DO.
dy, as handsome, as productive, as well
fenced, and as well cultivated. HIS wood
land is cleared or all underbrush and dead
wood-his fields are all enclosed with good
fences, with line top rails all on, and not
weed or brier in the corners his hemp
fields, &c. are prepared with the SIX VI and
care of thrifty farmer-and he has a ten
acre LOT OF corn, upon which he has be.
slowed extra labor end att ntion with the
view of obtaining the premium. Then
there are his fac blooded cattle, sheep
and horses, appor,oned off IN lots, accor-
ding TO age and the use and purposes for
whIch they are designed. Indeed there is
90 spot in or about The residence or farm,
that will not furnish evidences Of MS be-
ing a thrifty, profitable, and practical far.
mer. True il IS, that ! had heard much
of Mr.. CLAY, as the "Fsrmer of Ashland"
but regarded him as what S termed
| Gentleman Fdrmer-as one who had a
firm, but knew little or cared less how it
was cultivated. But let any one walk
with Mr.. Clay over his brosd scres-no.
tice his intimate knowledge OF every thing
pertaining TO farming--hear HIM relate
how he prepares and improves his lands,
changes his crops, improves his stock and
yearly renders more and more productive
and profitable his extensive pantstion-
and he will then see with his own eyes,
that one of the best practical and most use.
lul Farmers 10 this or any other country,
| is HENRY CLAY, the Farmer of Ashland
and he will also see and learn that the
best butter and cheese ia the Lexington
market are made by Mrs. Clay, the wife
of the Farmer OF Ashland.
Mr.. Clay grows large quantities of
hemp, and is connected with a son 10
hemp mandatory.
Such is a brief descriptive outline OF