Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-01-03
How Henry Clay and John Quincy
Adams Play a n Game of AIl-F0urs.


From the Charleston Is. C.) Courier.l
In the summer of 1888 one of sur edi-
.tors was an sttsche of the South Caro-
lina railroad delegation to Lexington,
Ky, to attend barbecue, given by the
citizens of that place to Hon. Robert Y.
Hsyne, as President of the Louisville,
Cincinnati and Charleston railroad, de-
signed to connect the Queen City of the
South with the then Queen City Of the
| West. The delegation consisted Of Hon.
Mitchell King, Benjamin T. Elmore,
Esq, r G.. Mills, Esq., and Dr. Hardy,
Of Asheville, N. c directors of the rail-
road company. who were Joined by Paul
Fitz,immons, Esq. of Georgia; Mr.. Ben.
ton, Of the Courier. General Hayne,
who had been on gu extensive railroad
tour, met the delegation at Lexington on
his return scuthward. The barbecue
came off with great ecldt and enthusiasm,
General Hayne, of course, making an
eloquent speech, in reply to q compli-
meHtsry toast, aud Robert Wicklife, jr.,
grecing the occasion with an admirable
address, redolent Of South Carolina snd
her past history. Hon Robert Wckliffe,
sr., great landholder, agrlculturist and
breeder of fine cattle, furnished from his
herd half breed buffalo, which was bar
bscued or roasted whole for the occasion;
After the barbecue Mr, Clay invited
the party to due with hiai at Ashland,
his beautiful country residence aad rich
cattle farm. The dinner was epicurean
in viands and wines. and the ice cream,
made entirely of pure cream, from his
own dairy, OF course, with sugar added,
was exquisite in taste and coolness.
At table, one of the guests called atten-
ton to Two beautiful paintings on the
mantle piece; whereupon Mr.. Clay,
pointing to one Of the paintings, said
archy and smiling: 81 will tell you how
l came by that painting. providing (bow'
ing to one of his guests) it does not go
into the newspapers, as it involves an
snecdote at the expense of my old friend,
Mr. Adams" He then proceeded thus
Mr.. Adams, Mr.. Gallatn and myself,
three of the commissioners fer peEoiia-
ting a treaty of peace with Great Britain
in 1918, were At Ghent, boarding at the
same hotel. One morning We went to a
great exhibition Cor ssle) Of paintings,
and each Of us purchased enc. Ol re-
turning to eur quarters our paintings
were sent US. Adhiring Mr.. Adams
purchase very much, | said to him,
Mr.. Adams, would like to win your
painting from you; | will stake
mine against yours, at game Of cards :
Agreedi' said NJ. Adams. What
game will you plsy2' said I. AN fours,
said hMF. Adsms. We cut 70. the deal;
| won it; dealt, turned up jack, and
scored high, low, jack and the game,
and the next hand counted ont aud won
the stake. then turned to Me-. Gallatin
who had purchased fine painting OF
the Virgin Nary, and said: Mr.. Gal
latin, would like to win your painting
from you, in the same manner a. | have
won that of Mr.. Adams. No, sair,'
said Mr.. GslIaiin, 10 his broken Eoglish;
| did not win the Vrergin so, and |
shall not lose heer go.
The company we're all highly amused
at the anecdote, and at the manner IN
which Mr.. Clay narrated it, fully coming
up TO his reputation as a rdc0nteur. The
cream of the anecdote was that Mr..
Adams, a ttlid and demure gentleman,
should have not only sssented to plsy
cards with Mr.. Clay. but should have
proposed a game of "All-FoHrs," at
which Mr.. Clay was q perfect adep'. The
anecdole, in due respect to Mr.. Clay 8
admonitory proviso, has never been in
print; but now that the illustrious parties
concerned have gone to honored graves,
we feel at liberty to give it place in our
columns.