The true Democrat., 1855-08-14

probably approaching death, I wrote to him knowing that it would give him more happiness than almost any earthly thng-that 1 would give up all my prospects in Missouri, and that he might die satisfied that if could help it, Ashland should not, in my lifetime at least, pass into the hands of strangers. After my fathers death, my mother caused me to be informed that she would have the place sold, with the view to my becoming the purchaser; that the whole place was in ruinous condition, but that it would make her happy in her life time to know that it was not to go out of the family. Iretumed to Kentucky and purchased it. Finding the dwelling, like most others built fifty odd years ago, in dlapdated condition, I called in competent architect to ascertain whether it was safe residence for my family; it was pronounced to be unsafe, and, moreover, that it would tumble down of itself in a few years Under these circumstances I determin 2 to rebuild it in a style suitable to my own tiS, and not wholly unworthy of my father Ill th, connexion 1 will say that I am not a very vo'qg gentleman, being near forty years of age.
 | | consider he last charge made in the Jour- nal's editorial aby far the most grave, and if it were true in the s,sa intended I should feel myself unworthy fss 'l,aenvu iatbar % bouse ,s unworthy to be a KeEYckian: and should be willing to fly to some .,te corner of the earth to hidemy vile and dishonC al head Isbould. in that case, and do now, p,tast aoainst thai license which is not the liberty bnf tho vile and unmanly abuse of the liberty If inc nrers which can allow an editor or editors.o nrost' ute the columns of public jonrnal | com ments upon the private conduct of private,nen with respect to their private property. I.e charge that have sold one inch of the oll, lumber of my fathers house with view to my private profit, is utterly and unqualifedly false. l have freely given it, when it has been asked, and have repeatedly refused to sell it when informed it was to be used for profit. Much of it has been stolen, and l have been greatly annoyed by persons coming to my place and carrying away whatever they fancied, either from the old house, plants and growing shrubs, without asking permission of any one.
 At last it occurred to me that 1 might put some of the old lumber which was useless to me to . good and worthy use. l determined to have some little articles made as souvenirs of Ashland from the old roof-trees; that would cause them to be placed with a friend in Lex ngton to be sold, with the understanding with him that the proceeds, after paying the cost of construction should be donated to some public charity. l accordingly employed . cabinet maker, himself almost an object of charity, as he said in these hard times, to make some box es About 10 have been made, and 100 canes, of which solue six or eight boxes only hitherto have been sold. l have good hope, however. that the residue will he, and at a profit which may next winter aladden the hearts of some few poor widows and orphans Except what have been sold of these boxes and canes depo- sitod with Mr. ] ohn Wilson for sale, and for the purpose stated the .nan Nho s1vs have sold une particle of the ola timber of my ia!hcl' house. A,J and uAaj7, and before God, pronounce hinl to be so
 Thts l have answered all t'e charges agalnat me contained iu the cdiol.t! of the Louisville Journal. Had gwen "uy ro passion, did allow myself u forget ths d@niGl which 4 pfi- yate gentleman unght alwaI5 tO preserve 1 might be justified in tai.lug course 'efr differ ent from thus presenting my self before lha put
 lie. As it is, the county will ludtr tetH-':n the Louisville Journal and nc
 again pray felow-countri men to lauiou tue great liberty 1 haze taken ln hrInItA5 t4cse my private concerua, before th;u noti.4 and l., pardon it the rather that no one ol them cl1 know at N Lat moment his own heart may be rent by the @hafts oi public calnIn"ators.
 JAMES E. CLAY. AM5l,ni, July M, 1&51.