The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-06-30
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH AND PUBLIC LIFE
OF MIR. CLAY.

In tho county Of Hanover, in Eastern Virginia, is
. neghborhood commonly called sthe Slashss,"
and here Henry Clay was born, April IL, l777; hay
ing been the seventh child of his parents, both Of
whom were Of English anoestry. branches Of tho
Clay family are still in tho mother country Of
which Sir William Clay, baronet, and member Of
the British Heuse Of Commons, is supposed to DO
ono Of the original stock from which Henry Clay
descended, some Of whom were among tho early set
tiers Of Virginia. The Hudson family, on the
maternal side Of Mr.. Clay's ancestors, migrated
from England to Virginia, about the beginning Of
the eightoenth century.
Tho Rev. John Clay, father Of Henry, was man
Of great gor of character Of exemplary virtue and
manners. Ho died in 1881, leaving his widow, who
was woman endowed with eminent female virtues,
in straightened circumstances with seven children,
Henry being then four years Of age. The Rev. Por-
ter Clay, the youngest of the family was living ut
Jacksonville Illinois, in 1874 Mrs. Clay, the
mother, was married q second time, to Captain
Henry Watkins, a worthy gentleman, who took
fatherly interest in the family.
In 179l, when fourteen years Of age, Henry Clay
was taken into the store of Richard Denny at Rich
mond, Va, his educstion at that time having OK
tended no further than graduation at tho ordinary
not satisfied with this situation for tho boy and
therefore placed him in the Office ofhs friend Peter
Tinsley, Esq, then clerk of the Court of Chancery,
at Richmond Here he attracted the attention Of
Chancellor Wythc, who being in want of u private
secretary. connection was formed which continued
four years, Henry being nominally in the Office Of
the Clerk in Chanoery, but chiefly employed in the
Office Of tho Chancellor. II was in this connection
A.. 4 -.
1t introduced him to new sphere of thought and
Improvement. The Chancellor became much at
tached to him, and peroeiving his uncommoa cnpa
cities, gave him the Of his library, and supern-
tended his studies for the legal profession It has
been remarked that from the hour when Chancellor
Wythe took him by the hand, his fortune WAS de.
oided, and he was made for life He was for years
the pupil and companion of that distinguished yir-
gnian, who discovering the high promise of his pro-
tege, not less ambitious to fit him for his dos
tiny than he himself was to attain it The benefits
of the society and tuition of the venerable Cha nsel
or probably transcended the advantages that could
have been provided by ample fortune.
In 1896 Mr.. Clay left the office Of Mr.. Tinsley,
and entered regular student Of law. with tho
Attorney General of virgieia, Robert Brooke, Esq
The following year he WAS admitted to practice, by
Kentucky, in November, 1897, to establish himself
in the profession of the law being then in his txen
ty-6rst yoar. His mother, with his step p.father,
Capt. Watkins, and most Of the family, had re-
movedfrom Virginia to Woodford county, kentucky,
in 1892 by Capt. Watkins she had seven children,
and died in good old age, in 1879.
At Lexington, Mr.. Clay commenced the practice
of the law, under auspices not the most favorable
Man warda oil TO b;o ~,
he sayshe :" was without patrons, without friends,
and destitute Of means. / remember how com
Portable thought should be, if could make eIoO
Virginia money per annum, and with what delight
| received the first fifteen shillugs fec. Ny hopes
were than realized; immediately rushed into
lucrative practice Perhaps at no previous po-
Rod was the Lexington bar more distinguished for
the talents and learning Of its members, than ut
that time. Among them we're Nicholas. Brecken-
ridge, Murray, and Others who found in Mr. Clay
most formidable competitor, whose talents secured
respect, and soon put him on u level with his Older
and more experienced rivals. He soon sucsoodod,
also, in obtaining the confidence of the community
where be resided, and, is well known, continued
to enjoy the public favor there throughout his long
life
In April, 1879, Mr.. Clay married Luoreta Hart,
gentleman famed for his enterprise and hospitality.
james Brown, Esq, afterwards Senator from Louis
lana and Minister TO France under Presidents
Mouroe and Adams. married another daughter o
Col. Hart, who resided at Hagerstown, Maryland,
where Mrs. Clay was born. in 1881. By this lady,
MIR Clay has had eleven children, five sons aud six
daughters. OF these. we believe, only two sons
now survive Henry Clay Jun, the third son, bora
in xv.lI he nla1 Al
battle of Buena Vista, Feb, 1917.
Mr. Clay Grst entered the field of politics during
the administration Of John Adams. when no took
part Mt public meetings in discussing the Alien and
SodtioD laws, and other measures of the federal
party, whoh were particularly unpopular in Ken
lucky, State in which the democracy we're largely
in the preponderance. MIR. Clay became
decided favorte with the republican or demo
cratic PARTY, and was a warm advocate for
the election of Mr.. Jefferson, well subsequently
one of the most jealous supporters Of his admins
tration- In 1903 the citizens Of Fayette county
for tho first time brought him forward rs candidate
for the Legislature Of Kentucky, and although lao
in the field, and at first nominated against his own
wishes, he was triumphantiy elected In the Legs.
laturc, lie earned reputation which caused him to
be chosen by that body, in 1906, to the Senate of
the United States to ill mp the uncxpired term OF
the Hon. John Adair, who had resigned his seat.
Tho election was for session only, the term
closing the 4th Of March. 1907. During this short
session, DIR Clay delivered speech on internal i'm
provement, which has not boon preserved. Ia the
summer of 1907, ho was again elected to tho State
Legislature, and, on taking his seat, made Speaker
Of the House. After service of two sessions /
this capacity in that body, he was again chosen by
the Legislature to he United States SeDste, for tho
unexpircd term Of two years of the Hon Buckner
Thurston, resigned; in 1910.
In 1911, the prospects Of with Great Britain
aqueston in which Mr.. Clay took deep interest,
induced him to decline a e-electon to tho United
States Senate, and to stand a. a candidate before
the nAnnln for the HOUSE Of Ranrnsentatixna- nrA-