Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1901-01-12
Valuable Historical Papers.

the property of the Mississippi Histor-
ical Society, They were sent by the
Hon. Thos. NJ. Wade, of Tensas parish,
Louisiana, and member of the legis-
lature of that State, but native OF
Mississippi and descendant of one OF
her historic families. One is an auto
graph letter Of Henry Clay, dated Oct.
s, 1922, and addressed to Hon. Thos. B.
Reed, Of Mississippi, at that time attor-
ney-general of the State, and from 1926
to 1929 one of our United States sena-
tors. Mr.. Reed was native of Ken
lucky and man of unusual culture
and extraordinary ability, though lack
ing in personal popularity. He landed
at Natchez in search of his professional
fortune, but without sufficient money
to pay drayage on his small trunk. In
few years, however, he was the ac-
linowledged head of the bar in that
| city, and became a conspicuous and po-
tential figure in Mississippi politics and
jurisprudence.
The letter Of Mr.. Clay is intensely in
teresting. After disposing Of busi-
ness matter in which he was not reluc-
tant to look after his fee, he discusses
in free and confidential way his
chances for the presidency. While no
doubt his oft-quoted expression was
true, that he would rather be right
than be president, he very much de-
sired to be president, and died disap-
pointed man. His reference to the
proposed action Of legislature recalls
a political custom Of that early day
for legislatures to express their prefer
ence for the next presidency. They
were in the nature Of nominations, and
were doubtless very potential in deter
mining the final result.
The reference to his criticism Of the
r,,,pduct e, the Seminole war-a censure
Of General Jaca an.sson-regives interest
in a great congressional dec aVe. oeoi ee
Poindexter was The champion Z, "ehe1"l
Jackson, and the consensus Of opinion
was that the great Kentuckian won NO
laurels in that contest In after years,
however, when Jackson was president,
Poindexter was the most determined
enemy of his administration. The en-
tire letter of Mr.. Clay can but be re-
garded as a valuable historic document,
The other paper contains list of
notes and accounts due Harmon Blen-
nerhassett in the hands of A. Whiting
for collection. 1t is dated "Natchez,
March 10, 1919" On the back is receipt
No ], with the signature of Har. Blen-
nerhassett.
In forwarding these interesting treas
ures to Bishop Galloway, the Hon. Mr.,
Wade writes as follows: This letter
was given me by my father, Isaac Baf-
row Wade, of jefferson county, Miss,
Just before his death on Jan. 10, 1891.
My father was a nephew of Mrs. Thos.
Il. Reed-Mrs. Reed was Margurate
Ross, daughter of Capt Isaac Ross,
who came to Mississippi in 1917, and
settled on the Prospect Hill plantation
in jefferson county. He came from
South Carolina, where he distinguished
himself under the gallant Sumpter at
the battle of the Cowpens. Mrs Reeds
first husband was Dr. Archer, OF
Port Gibson. My father administered
on his estate, and some of Mr., Reeds
papers fell into his possession"
In behalf of the Mississippi Historical
Society, Bishop Galloway makes CRATE
ful acknowledgment to Mr.. Wade for
this generous and thoughtful presenta'
tlon.
The following is correct copy Of
Mr.. Clay's letter:
ASHLAND, Oct. s, 1922.
Dear Sir-I received your obliging letter
of the 9TH ultimo, with the bill of excep
tions in the case of Mr. Walton incloset
in it. think and hope that the judgment
against him will bo reversed upon one OIL
both of the second and third grounds stated
in the bill of exceptions, He may rely
upon my best exertions to produce that re
suit. Is time at all desirable to him. Il
is not unlikely, if he wishes it, that the tra
of the writ Of error may be postponed
until the term after the next. To me il
will be Indifferent at which term it il
brought on as | shall attend both Tn,
customary fee in the supreme court is flv,
hundred dollars, which may he remitted L
me in whole or in part, as soon as con
venient.
am very highly gratified to learn tha
the use which my friends have though
proper to make of my name in relation tt
a high office meets your appreciation; ant
/ thank you for thecandid manner in whicl
you have communicated the principal OBJ
lection which you think exists against mt
in your State. Nothing upon earth can b,
more unfounded than the imputation to mi
of personal motives In the disapprobatioI
which felt it my duty to express in thu
house of representatives of the conduct o.
the Seminole war, My relations, on tn,
contrary, up to that hour with the distn
guished general implicated, were of tn,
most amicable kind, and such as wish long
to cherish. felt great reluctance in pro
nouncing censure upon his conduct Moth
ing would have induced me to have done il
but deep and solemn sense of public duty
And1 now declare most sincerely that, il
looking back upon the part which | acteC
| Al. 10 I ,,tt j.,
unable to find or to feel even the slightes
cause of self-reproach.
During visit which made to Ohio il
the last month, to attend the Federal cour
at Columbus, from all quarters and from
all parties, Learned that the disposition, il
that State, was almost unanimous to sup
port me for the next presidency. Indeed
the manifestations of ardor, in theil
espousal of my interests, were not less fer
vent than those which are made in Ken
lucky. My friends even assured me tha
there was much reason to believe that ,
nomination would be made of me at thu
next session of the legislature. A smilal
measure, ] understand, is in contemplation
in this and other States. OF the utility Of
these recommendations there can be ne
doubt They form SO many necleui. AnC
their influence will be felt whether there il
or is not congressional caucus. If such
measure should be thought of with you i
had better not he attempted without
moral certainty of success. Gov. Carol
recently wrote me from Nashville that HI
does not entertain a doubt of TENNESSEE
giving me her undivided support. IL Gen
Jackson should be out of the way And al
| A. = ,,,,,,-a,napt in h;e favor does MT anneal