The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1852-07-07

The great orator and statesman of the
west is no more. Not unexpected, yet
mournfully certain, the intelligence has
spread rapidly throughout the nation, and
has been everywhere noticed with the SYM
coils ofgrief HENRY CLAY dedat the Ma.
tional Hotel, in Washington, Tuesday
June 30th, at II minutes past o'clock,
OF his last moments, we have this &C
count, from a correspondent of the Phil
adelphia Lcdgcr:
Monday afternoon there appeared to
be giving way Mr. CLAY's system I'm
agination attributed it, in some degree,
to excitement produced by the enthusiasm
of the Ratification meeting At night
he was calm, but his mind wandered, and
in low, distinct voice he named his wife,
son and other relatives. Rev DIR. But
Ter offered his services to watch during
the night, but they were deemed unnec-
essary, On his last entire patience ,resig-
nation and confidence in the Redeemer.
This morning Mr. Clay was perfect
ly tranquil and exceedingly feeble, and
showed a disposition to slumber About
l04 o'clock he asked for cold water
which he was accustomed to take through
silver tube. On removing the tube
from his mouth he seemed to have more
difficulty than previously. He turned to
his son and said, Don't leave me" Soon
after he made motion to have his shirt
collar opened, and added Il am going
soon" and serencly breathed his last"
OF Mr.. CLAY and his public career
the Boston 1rareller says
Henry Clay was born in Hanover
County, Virginia, April II. l777, and
was, consequently, in his 10Th year al
time ofhis decease. His early advantages
for instruction were very Indifferent, be
ing confined to the teachings of com
mon school. His father was a Baptist
clergyman, who died when Henry wa
but five years old, leaving large family
with small means, to make their way W
in the world as they best could Al al
carly age Henry contributed his aid to
wards the general support, under the di
rection of his mother, who is represented
to have been strong minded and excel
lent woman. At first he labored on 4
farm, but subsequently,, at the age of IA
he was placed in small retail shop il
Richmond, Va. About a year after h,
entered the Office of Mr.. Tinsley. Clerl
of the Court of Chancery, as a copyist
AT II he began the study of law, and il
years time was admitted to the bar
In 1857 he removed to Lexington, Ky
where he devoted some month to sever,
study, and then commenced the practic,
of law, His political course began Will
his legal, and as soon as he was eligible
he was elected to the Legislature Ii
1906 he was appointed to the United
States Senate for the short remainder o
the term of Gen, Adair, who had
resigned. In 1907 he was again elected
a member of the General Assembly o
Kentucky, and was chosen Speaker by
large majority In 1909 he was appoint
ed u, s. Sena tor for two years, and dis
tinguished himself by several brillian
speeches. In 1871 he was elected Rep
resentatiye in Congress and on the frs
day of his appearance there, was chosen
Speaker by an overwhelming vote Thi
Office he held until January, 1914, wheI
he was appointed a Commissioner to ne
gociate a treaty at Client, with Grea
Britain. Mr.. Clay was again elected t.
the House of Representative in 1915, anC
again made Speaker Subsequently, aftei
two years absence from Congress, he wa
reelected in 1928, and again made Spea
ker, which place he filed until s25, whel
he was appointed Secretary of State b,
John Quincy Adams Mr. Clay wal
Speaker of the House from ISL to 1925
with exception of three years He con