Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-02-01
HENRY CLAY.
An Old Letter from the Great Ken
tuckian-His Visit to Savannah Forty
one Years Ago

An Old Letter from the Great Ken
tuckian-His Visit to Savannah Forty
one Years Ago.
The subjoined letter from Henry Clay
to committee of prominent Wings of
Savannah has been handed to the MORN
ING NEWS by a gentleman of this city.
1t was written forty-one years ago, when
Mr.. Clay was his party's candidate for the
Presidency. The committee was composed
of some of the most prominent citizens of
Savannah of that day. They have all
passed away to the place where, it is to
be hoped, politics are unknown. The
distinguished statesman was royalty en-
tertained by the people during bis stay.
he was the guest Of Hon. j. NJ. Ber-
rien, then a Senator from Georgia,
at his residence at the northwest corner
OF BroughtOn and Habersham streets
now used as drug stOre). a dinner
was given to him by the late G. Is. Cum
ming at his residence, on the west
SIDE OF Reynolds square, southeast corner
of Abercorn and St. Julian streets (nOW
the Roberts mansion). A story is told OF
Mr.. CLAWS reception. which is worthy OF
repeating. II had been agreed that the
Democrats should Join with the Wings
in the demonstration IN honor OF the visit
ing statesman and torn part Of the pro
CGcGlUu ~ men Was 10 escort MN from the
railroad depot to Ar. Berrien's house, but
a few hours previous to Sir. Clay's arrival
there was q disagreement between the
Wing and DemOcrs tie committees. and
the latter refused to take any part in the
proceedings. The rupture, however, was
not known TO one of the gentlemen who
were to act as the Democratic Committee
OF Escort and be made his appearance at
thu railroad depot. He was dstOuished to
ind % VI nF gy,ft IN
en5, and on inquiry as 10 the cause Of the
absence Of the ''unterrihed," he was told
OF the disagreement. He at once proposed
to leave the party. but the Wings urged
him to remain and take @ place in the
procession. In the afternoon. when the
escort and Mr.. Clay passed down Bay
street. the Democrats were aslOUpded
when they saw Mr.. A. \. Miller as the
enthusiastic young Democrat was no
other than the present superintendent
of Water Works. at the head
OF the Wing procession. When
the escort arrived at Judge Berrien's
residence, al" Miller, as he was
familiarity called. was introduced 10 Mr..
CLAY as the only Democrat present. Poll
ties iran high" in those days, and it was
some days before Mr. Miller convinced
his party friends that he was still true to
his cOlors.
hand, and reads as follows:
New ORLEANS, Feb. 70, 1874.
Gentlemen:
have received the invitation to visitSa-
vannab, which yOu have done me the honor
to transmit. some business which | have
there, cOinciding with my desire to see that
city, had determined me to comprehend it in
my route to North Carolina. Your polite in
vitatiOn strengthens the motives which pre-
vlOusly had TO see it. / tender my respectful
Acknowledgements for it, and for the friendly
sentiments which accompany 1t.
regret my inability to fix the day of my
arrival at Savannah. 1t will be not earlier
than the 18th of March, and perhaps about
the Goth Of that month
Being anxious that there should be as little
ceremony as possible on my arrival, hope
that there will be acqUiescence on your part
in my respectfully declining any public enter
tainment.
am with great respect, your friend and
obedent servant, ii. CLAY.
Ne8srs. Vim. Th0Tae Williams, &. B. Cum
ming, JHO. B. Canary, WjJIiHDa Ldac. John Il.
NaG1geU, Jos. clay Ha6ersaana, Elias Reed,
and James Hunter, etc.