The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1848-03-02
HENRY CLAY IN IRELAND.

The following correspondence, winch IS
Welded to our solicitation by the party in this
City, will so fully explain itself that little
preface is necessary. We may state, how
ever that the box or case Of Razors which
accompanied the letter to Mr.. Clay was Of
the finest shell, inlaid with gold, bearing on
its lid the American Eagle resting on a shield
inscribed with the name of Henry Clay, sur
rounded by an elegant scroll, and outside of
this by a semi~circle of twenty stars,
symboIizing the several States Of the Amerl'
can Union. The bottom Of the box is Of the
finest ivory; the eagle, stars, &c. are of gold,
as are the hinges, lock, key, &c. and the I'D
is elegantly bordered with the same material
SO rich and rare box We had never seen
before Its the workmanship of Van Worth
& Son, Birmingham, and the four superb Ra-
zors it contains are Of the finest steel, and
made by the oil house Of VIM. Greayes &
Son, SAeaiell-thc whole being a present TO
Mr. Clay from Messrs, Sheehan & Duggan,
merchants, CT Maiden Lane for what rca-
son, may be gathered from their letter, which
is as follows: n. Y. Iri5.
NEw-YoRK, Feb. 5, 1918.
Dear Sir: Two entire strangers TO you,
who,c names can never by possibility have
:
acceptance of the accompanying token Of
their esteem and gratitude. However small
its intrinsic value, it may have some worth in
YOUR ewes as one evidence of the affection you
have inspired in the breasts Of our unfortu
nate kindred and countrymen, however sepa-
rated from you by distance or by diversity of
opinion.
We, Sir, are Irishmen by birth, though
L., n,,1 IN
camille business in this city. 1t was the good
fortune Of one of US to hear your Speech IN
behalf Of the furnishing Millions of our ma
tive land, when in New Orleans on business
during the dreadful Winter of 1867; it
has since been the fortune OF the other to
hear and to witness in Ireland and elsewhere
in Europe the admiration and 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, by stimulating the
energies Of eyer-bessed charity among the
American people, Of saving thousands Of our
countrymcn from a death Of agony and hor-
ror. 1t must be an abiding joy to your gen.
crous heart to know that American Bencvo-
lence is deyoutly blessed in parishes and cab
ins where even gear name, llustrlous MS 1t Is,
had hardly been heard before the Famine !;
ard that thousands have been impelled by
their deiyernncc from the worst effects Of
that dire calamity TO invoke blessings or the
head Of HENRY CLAY.
You have often and most appropriately y, re-
ceyed at the hands Of your countrymen Of
birth, fitting acknowledge ents of your Seryi-
ces, in the shape of rare products of their
unsurpassed mechanical ingenuity and skill.
OR humble Offering is the work Of Foreign
artisans, i'll grateful acknowledgment Of
your powerful aid to an oppressed and suffer-
inc race On the other side of the Atlantic
We trust it may not on that account be I'M
acceptable, but that, amorg your many TO-
kens Of American esteem and thankfn!ness, q
single remembrance of the tears Of gratitude
which at the mention of your name have be-
dewed the cheek Of suffering Ireland may not
he unwelcomc. We are yours, truly,
SHEEuAN & DUGGAN., G7 Maidcn-lane
Hon Henry Clay, Washington.
ITO the foregoing letter, which was trans
mitted to MIR Clay with the box, through W.
+. Robinson, Esq. Mr.. Clay responded as
fol.ows:
WASHINGTON, Feb. 10, 1S1S.
Gentlemen: Mr.. Robinson delivered to me
your friendly letter, with the cxquisitely beau
tful case Of Razols which accompanied it.
This testimonial you have been pleased to
offer in consequence Of some feelings | OK
pressed, and some sympathes | cherished,
for the suffering people Of Ireland. Gentle
men, | do not deserve it. must have had n
heart colder than stone, if had been capa-
bic Of listening to the sad account Of Irish
distress without the deepest emotions. My
regret WAS, that could do little or nothing
to mitigate the sutFerings Of a generous and
gallant people. Nordid my own countrymen,
am fully persuaded, require any stimulus
from me, to prompt them 10 extend all prac-
tcabe succors, to those with whom we are
intimately connected by SO many pleasing
ties.
You tell me that the case and its contents
were made abroad. They do not on that
account, commend themselves less to my ac.
coptance and admiration. | hope that |
have liheraity enough to recognize excel
lcncc, in Science and in the Arts, whether
displayed in foreign or domestic productions
Indeed, my anxious desire to naturalze, in
our own country, all that genius, skill and
invention can contribute to the comfort, Gle
gance and happiness Of our race has proceed
ell from Witnessing how much has been &C.
complished, in other civilized countries, to-
ward those noble ends.
tender to you, gentlemen, my grateful
acknowledgements, with my iervent prayers
that Ireland, and you, and all your country
men, may ever hereafter be happy and
prosperous.
Your friend and obedient servant,
H. CLAY.
Messrs. Sheehan & Duggan, &c. &c.
ISLANDER DAMAGEs.-In the justices
Court last Saturday, 10Th Feb, a case came
mn. in which the parties we're both females, |