The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-12-16
TIE PRIVATE CORRESPONDENCE OF HENRY CLAY.

New Chapter I'm our aistory-Mr. Clay ~ .
De&Aocxst, MIR. Clay q Whig, Mr.. Clay ~
n Statesman.
The reader has been made acquainted with the
publication of the private correspondence Of Mr..
Clay and, might have been anticipated 1t has ex-
cited very general interest Il is from suoh sources
that we are enabled to find the nleans, 0ftentimes,
OF interpreting what otherwise is considered nexpli-
cable conduct in our public men. The position of
Mr. Clay the leader of the democratic or republi
party in his State from his very entrance into
public life; his election in 1906 to the Senate of the
United States as soon as he was eligible to that Of
foe; his subsequent return to the House of Repre-
sentatyes; his promotion to tho Speakership; his
appointment as Minister Penipotentiary and Envoy
Extraordinary, in conjunction with James A. Bayard,
John Quincy Adams, and Jonathan Russell, to enc
gotate and sign treaty of peace with Great Bri-
tain, and all this within about ten years of his first
services sufficient of themselves to give unusual
interest to his private correspondence.
He was charged, during the heated controversy
growing out Of the election of Mr. Adams to the
Presidency, with having been in league with Col.
Burr. He was Burrs counsel and believed in his in
nocence Of the charge of fomenting hostility to the
federal Union. The truth is, viewed in the light of
the present, COL Burr must be regarded as only an
unsuccessful fbusfero, if not entitled to public
fdence, for his unpatriotc schemes. He writes to
Mr.. Clay, under date of Dec. |, 1906 -
FRANKFORT, Dec. l, 1906.
SR~-I have design, hav. taken any measure to
promote dissolution OF the Union, separation of
sny states from the residue have neither
published line ttis subject has any through
my agency, or vii my knowledge. l have design
inermedde with the government to disturb the tran
auity o the United states or OF its territores or any
them. have ncit issued norm
mised coDmi so1 to person for any pur pose do
not own musket bsyonet any single article of
military stores nor does any person for me- by my
shority or with my knowledge.
And Mr.. Clay writes to DR.. K. Pindeli, Oct. Is,
1928 -
WASHINGTON, Oct. Is, 1923.
Observe that some Of he Jackson party Ia Kentucky,
Tor the purpose Of withdra public attention from the
alleged connection between Gen. jackson Col Burr
have gotten up charge against OF participation
the schemes OF the latter
Public prosecutions commenced in the Federal
court o. hentneSy against Col BUT in the fall OF 1905
junction with the late Col John Allen, to defend him.
We ~ to each other, Col. Burr has been eminent
member OF the profession has been Attorney General of
the State Of New York Is prosecuted without in
distant State, and ought not to regard him in the
light Of an ordinary culprit The first prosecution
sreiy failed.
II has been q subject Of national obloquy that
having engaged in the war Of 1872 with Great Bri-
tain on account of the impressment of our seamen,
weAhould have concluded peace, not only without
any guaranty against future violations of our rights
10 the matter but without even abiding to the SUBJ
ject in the convention. 1t seems the American Com
mssioners had little confidence, even on such condi
tions Of closing the war. Albert Galatn writes to
Mr.. Clay from London, April 20, 1914 -
LONDON April %, 1914.
You sufficiently Of the total change in al
fairs produced by the late revouln and by the res0ra
ton Of univ ersal peace in the European world from
which alone excluded we'll organized and large
end ready together with superabundsnt naval force
Immediately against How Ill prepared we are to
yourself but above ALL our own divisions and the hos
tile attitude Of the Eastern States give TO appre
bend that continuance of the might prove vitality
fatal to the United States.
/ understand that the Ministers, with whom we have
had any direct intercourse still profess disposed
TO make equitable peace But the hope not Of ulu
mate conquest but Of dissolution of the Unioa the
convenient pretence which the American will afford
preserve large military and above all
the forcs popular feeling may all unite in inducing
the Cabinet throwing impediments in the of
They net certainly, disposed to make concessions,
nor probably displeased a failure Of negotiations.
And On the 10th OF June, Mr.. Crawford writes
10 Mr.. Clay -
In my former communications have stated the rea-
which have for doubling the sincerity Of their
tessic Of moderation. may have been wrong in my
inferences wish that the result may correct of tis
Admitting the possibility that the British Minis
tiers will consent make peace without deciding any
thing upon the ques ion Of impessment, will your in
auained with the those Instructions, their t
will not. But these instructions given at time
when great changes which have interviewed Europe
were not only unknown, but wholly pected. What
will be the effect which these cbauges will produce upon
the deter inmate OF the government Will the govern
ment after they informed OF these changes give di
rectious 10 conclude peace leaving the question OF i'm
pressmeut to further negotiations WIN it consent
peace which shall make no mention Of this question
presume 1t will If he Degotators shall be Of this opin
ion ought they to hesitate TO accept in the most prompt
manner peace wh ii they convinced the govern
instruct them iak Ii INFORM
ed Of the actual state Of things ] should answer
promptly NO. A peace which oms the question of i'm.
pressnent entirely viii leave tho American government
" perfect liberty TO apply the proper remedy whenever
he evil shall be felt
Aud again, on the 4th Of July =
PARIS, July 4, 1914.
am thoroughly convinced that the United States
never be called upon to treat under less
than which exist at the present msment
unless nernal bcke ings shall con nue to weaken
the Efforts OF tho government
Peter Il. Porter we believe, was Secretary Of War
under Mr.. Adams The suhjoined extract from a
letter of his to Mr. Clay, dated Albany January 20,
1922 shows how politicians were mixed up at that
time, and particularly how Mr.. Porter was mis-
taken -
Yol will see Mr. Van Buren, in Washington, aud beg
you TO pay him attention. am decidedly Of opin-
ION that be win yet I've for you His best and strongest
friends here are 80 and know that his views have
been essentially changed since last SPRING lie VIII not,
presume avow preference of any candidate during
the present session Of Congress and perhaps IL Is desr
able that he should BE civil also to Rochester OF
our state who very clever young and strongly
your friend. Ia In circulation here that you
Add D. Clinton playing in concert and that you and
he VIII tua on the same ticket. need not tell you that
such rumor, believed, would PROSTATE all your
hopes here The recent ano all but unanimous rejection
a me inonian Judges by Senate shows the tenn
per OF the State regard 10 that class Of politicians Can
you With propriety say something in letter TO me on
the subject of supposed coalition which may show
cnfdentisy to two three personss 1t might be at
tended with good consequences Noah the Adroca man,
Is now here have had several conversations with him.
and although his predictions are stiii Tor MI I'D,
his zeal and confidence have greatly abated.
Francis p. Blair was Gen. Jacksons editor OF the
Globs, and a very bitter opponent OF Mr. Clay. On
the 2eth Of January, 1925 Mr.. Clay writes thus TO
Mr.. b. - 90 ,oos
The knaves cannot comprehend how man can be hon
s+t They canrot conceive that should have soemny
interrogated my conscience, and asked to tell me ser