Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1855-03-30

my card. In few moments | was
told that Mr. Clay would be pleas
ed to see me-" went to his room
door, and | have thought since that
no event in my life so completely
filed my mind with that peculiar
sensation that men have described
when in moment Of great import
they have seen pass in their agitated
mind all of the prominent events of
life.
In one moment more | was in
the room-alo'e with Henry Clay.
That feeling rushes back on me
now. What had to sayi What
was the purpose of my visit 7 j
was confused, and while hesitating
in my approach, cast my eye on
him, "the noblest Roman of them
ALL" seated near the fire with his
wrapper thrown around him, and in
response TO my glance, he gave that
smile of welcome which, while it
gave his countenance new life, i'm
parted to me the assurance Of my
kind reception. | approached him,
and when he said, "My son, | am
glad to see you," | was relieved Of
all my fears, aud felt as though |
saw one whom had known long
before. When then repeated to
him the object of my visit, he said,
81 am really glad to see you, sir /;
you are welcome, you are welcome"
Even in those few words his voice
failed, his cough commenced, and
when he was relieved from it, he
gave TO me the too striking assur-
auce that soon we must mourn a
nations loss.
said to him that had distinctly
stated in my note that ! desired
only moment with him, and
would retire, but he pressed me to
remain. He spoke 10 me of
Christopher Hughes, Esq, and VIM.
Schley, Esq, and other Baltimore
ans, and appeared in his conversa-
ton to be conversant at least with
the standing Of many of our promi-
nent citizens. He then asked me
of myself, and never, never,
can | efface from my memory his
appearance when | told him that at
home | had a widowed mother,
whose only earthly support was.
The good old man, the gallant Henry
Clay, said, " BE kind to your old
mother, watch her declining years,
be unto her a dutiful and loving
son, and when she sleeps in death,
you will feel your reward"
The conversation continued, and
|, fearing that it might be productive
of bad effect upon his almost pros.
trate system, more than once arose
TO leave, but he pressed me to re-
main. 10 s~;I 81 81. .h;~ :..sor-
view gives me pleasure, because as
stranger you are representative
of large class of the American peo-
pie, who acknowledge day by day a
claim | have upon them, which |
cannot, to this time, understand. On
my table have now large score
of letters received this morning, a
large majority of which are from
those whose names | never before
heard. They are letters Of sympa
thy and medical advice, but while
feeling their kindness, yet must
trust alone to my kind physicians
here" | said TO him that on the
return Of Spring we all hoped that
his health would be improved, and
his system invigorated by its gentle
weather. He replied, mo, sir,
can never go home alive | cannot
hope for that +; bit 1 ioish once more
10 address the Senate" Then his
eyes lit up, his face looked as | had
not seen it before, and his whole
frame appeared as though new life
had been given TO II.
Soon arose to leave, and ! asked
him if | could serve him in Balti,
more. He told me he was attend.
cd TO in Washington in so faithful
a manner that every want was anti.
cipated, and every attention shown
him. He spoke of the kind attend
ance of Mr.. Calvert, and said thai
away from home, he could not be
more advantageously located. fel,
a desire TO serve him, and he read
my sincere wish, for previous to my
leaving he requested me to procure
him some Malaga grapes in Balri
more, of which he was very fond
promised him that | would, and
extended my hand at parting. lie
reached forth his, and raising from
his seat, placed his left hand uu III
head, and said, My son, God bles.
you-be good son to your ole
mother Good bye take my bles
sing with you, good bye"
i These were his words, exact, and
precisely as uttered, and | assure
you they will never be forgotten.
was too full for utterance. ell
deavored to thank him, but my
tongue was palsied, and l retired
my face beholding his until left
that room, and even now, wher
memory leaps over intervening mat
ter, | feel the majesty of his las
look.
| came home and sent him the
grapes. Philip II. Kendall ncknowl
edged their reception, as Mr.. Clay
: was too i'll to do so, and | have now
: that acknowledgment, and | have
, mana for I haua from. la,.o. ID Clo.