The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-08-29
Harry of the West.
Detroit Free Press.l

The following is copy of an auto- graph letter from Henry Clay, the origi- nal of which is now in possession of Mrs k. M. Sheldon, of this city, who had it from her father, the late Adonijah En- mons. The latter died in Detroit forty two years ago, but at the time this was written he lived in Vermont. The MT Sla de mentioned was Governor William Slade, of Vermont:
 WASHINGTON, December To, 1928.
 DEAR SIR-I received your letter of the I7th ultimo, with the two specimens of hemp enclosed, prepared according to the new method. l am greatly obliged by your kind attention to the request of MT. Slade, and thank you for the valuable information communicated in your letter The article of hemp is very extensively cultivated In the part of Kentucky in which ] reside, and 1t has been an ob- lect of anxious inquiry and experiment to discover some mode of breaking hemp which should diminish the severe labor incident to the old process. Mir. Smedes, formerly of your state, most enterpris- ing and intelligent gentleman, has been engaged six or seven years in Kentucky In devising some plan which should ac- complish that object. Although his ex- ertlons have not yet been crowned with all the success they merit, he still per- severes and hopes ultimately to overcome all obstacles. More than five years ago machine was erected on my farm to break out hemp prior to settling it. It did not yield a quantity of neat hemp proportionate to the force which was em- ployed, but nevertheless was able to have sever al tons cleaned and prepared The article produced was very slightly and beautiful. One ton was manufac- tured into rigging for the North Caro- lima "A" prior to her late voyage to the Mediterranean. Upon her return the rigging looked well in its external ap- pearance, but on subjecting it to an analy- sis it was discovered that the interior part ot the cordage was in state of de- cay, resembling the dry-rot in wood. considered that experiment as decisive against the use of the article where not submitted to the action of the water, as that had not been. But l cannot per ceive any reason why the hemp should not be as good when it is settled after separating the lint from the stalk as if both were watered together. The new method, therefore, which is practiced in your neighborhood must answer all the purposes of the old, whilst it has the strong recommendation of essentially diminishing labor.
 MT. Suaedes has prepared hemp in the same way, but am not now informed as to the degree of success he has had. Up- on my return to Kentucky in the spring mean to make the preparation of hemp an object of particular inquiry and atten- ton and if should obtain any informa- ton worth co nmunicating to you will take pleasure in transmitting it in com pllance with your request.
 should be glad to be made ac- qualnted with the price of the machi nes constructed under the patent of Messrs Hines & Bane, and what could get one delivered at upon my farm near Lexing- ton, to be paid for on delivery and after 1t was ascertained upon experiment that 1t would answer its intended purpose
 am with great respect,
 Your obedient servant,
 H. CLAY.