Tri-weekly journal. (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1847-188?, 1848-03-09
From the New York Tribune.
HENRY CLAY AND IRELAND.

From the New York Tribune.
HENRY CLAY AND IRELAND.
The following correspondence, which is
yielded TO our solicitation by the party in this
city, will so fully explain itself, that little pre-
face is necessary. We may state, however,
that the box or case of Razors which accompa
MED the letter to Mr.. Clay, was of the finest
shell, inlaid with gold, bearing ON its lid the
American Eagle resting on shield, inscribed
with the name of HENRY CLAY, surrounded by
an elegant SCROLL and outside of this by sem
i-circle of twenty-nine stars symbolizing the
several States of the American Union. The
bottom of the box is of the finest ivory, the ca
gle, stars, &c, are of gold, as are the hinges,
lock and key, etc., and the lid is elegantly bor-
dered with the same material. So rich and
rare box we had never seen before. 1t is the
workmanship of Van Worth & Son, Birming-
nam, and the four superb Razors it contains
are'ai the finest STEEL and made by the old
houseNf Wm. Greave & Son, Sheffield-the
whole psng present 10 MIR. Cay from Messrs.
Sheehan q 0uggan merchants, 81 Maiden
lane-tor whae reasons may be gathered from
their letter, which isas follows
Nay YORK, Feb. 5, 1913.
DEAR SIR Two encre strangers to you,
whose names can never b, possibility have
reached your ears, respectlufs, solicit your ac-
cep!ance of the accompanying tu<en of their
esteem and gratitude. However ssall its in
trinsic value, it may have some worth in. YOUR
eyes as one evidence of the aifec lion yoh have
inspired in the breasts of our unfortunate kin
dred and countrymen, however separated from
you by distance or by diversity of opinion.
We, Sir, are Irishman by birth, though Amer
leans by choice, and partners in mercantile bu-
siness in this city, 1t was the good fortune of
one OF US TO hear your Speech in behalf of the
furnishing Millions of our native land, when
III New Orleans on business during that dread
full winter of 1857; it has since been the for
-.--e - oSuer 10 tIcur N--...---., =, -
lana and elsewhere in Europe the admiration
ana gratitude which that speech has excited;
it is the pleasing duty Of both to thank God
that your thrilling appeal to the best feelings
OF our common Humanity was the Means Dy
stimulating the energies of ever blessed charity
among the American People, of saving thous-
ands OF our countrymen from a death of agony
and horror. 1t must be an abiding Joy to your
generous heart TO know that American Benev-
olence is devouielly blessed in parishes and
cabins where even your name, iIustrious as it
is, had hardly been heard before the Famine;
and thousands have been impelled by their de-
livrrance from the worst effects of that dire
calamity TO invoke blessings on the head of
HENRY CLAY.
You have often, and most appropriately, re-
celyed at the hands of your countrymen by
birth, fitting acknowledgements Of your ser
vices, in the shape of rare products of their un-
surpassed mechanical ingenuity and skill. Our
humble offering is the work of Foreign arti-
sans, in grateful acknowledgement OF your
powerful aid TO an oppressed aud suffering race
on the other side of the Atlantic. We trust it
may not on that account be unacceptable. but
that, among your many tokens of American
esteem and thankfulness, single remembrance
OF the tears of gratitude which at the mention
of your name have believed the cheek of suffer
ing Ireland may not be unwelcome.
We are yours. truly
SHEEHAN & DUGGAN, 81 Maiden-lane.
Hon. HENRY CLAY, Washington
Ito the foregoing letter, which was trans
mitted to MIR. Clay with the box, through W.
e. Robinson, Esq, MIR. Clay responded as fol-
lows:
WAsHINGroN, Feb. 10, 1913.
Gentlemen: Mr.. RobinsondeIivered to me
your friendly letter, with the exquisitely beau
tliul case of Razors which accompanied it
This testimonial YOU have been pleased to Of
Ter in consequence of some feelings express
ed, and some sympathies l cherished for the
suffering people of Ireland. Gentleman. do
not deserve it. | must have had heart colder
man stone, i'll bail been capable of listening TO
oSSOuiil VI lIlSu distress without the
deepest emoIons. My regret was, that could
10 iIt'le or nothing to mitigate the suffering of
a generous and gahaat people. Nor did INV
own countrymen, am fufry persuaded. reouire
any stimulous from me. to prolnrt them 10 ey-
tend all practicable succors, 10 those with
whom we are intimately connected by somsny
pleasing ties.
You tell me that the case and its contents
were made abroad. They do not, on that &C
count, commend themselves less to my accept
ance and admiration, hope that have liber-
allty enough to recognise excellence, in Science
and In the Arts, whether displayed in foreign
or domestic productions Indeed, my anxious
desire to naturalize, in our own country, all
that genius. skill and invention can contribute
TO the comfort, elegance and happiness of our
race has proceeded from witnessing how much
has been accomplished. in other ci viized coun-
tres, toward those noble ends.
tender to you, gentlemen, my grateful ac-
acknowledgements. with my fervent prayers that
Ireland, and you, and all your countrymen.
may ever hereafter be happy and prosperous.
Your friend and ob'tst rv't H. CLAY.
Messrs. Sheehan & Duggan, &c. &c. &c.
Q-s-ln one place Richter says-"No man
can either live piously or die lighteously with