The Editor, in revising the work of Mr. Sargent, has taken the responsibility of omitting or modifying some passages which involved harsh judgments of those Political brethren who, at one time or another, have seen fit to prefer some other Whig to Mr. Clay as a candidate for the Presidency. He did not perceive that those judgments bore any proper relation to Mr. Clay's character or career, while their reproduction would tend to revive feuds and heart-burnings now happily laid to rest. That Mr. Clay might have been elected President in 1840, had he been nominated by the Harrisburg Convention, may very readily be affirmed at this time, by men who had ample reason to doubt it at the gloomy close of the Elections of 1839. It was far easier to demonstrate, not in that year only, that Mr. Clay deserved to be President than that he would be a successful candidate. And there is nothing in this which, rightly considered, proves Whig principles obnoxious or Mr. Clay unpopular. Among the Three Million Voters of our Republic, a majority in favor of every feature in a comprehensive, affirmative, positive, vigorous system of Public Policy, can rarely be expected. One who assents to the general outline will object to this detail, another to that, and so on; while a great many decline fatiguing their brains with any thorough study or investigation, but jump at the conclusion that the truth lies somewhere between the contending parties, and probably about half way. Thus the expounder, the champion, the embodiment' of either party founded on great principles of public policy and logical in their adherence thereto, is almost certain to lose the votes of the great body of twaddlers, fencemen, and others who split the difference between the contending hosts, though his nomination has evoked the profoundest enthusiasm, and been hailed with unbroken acclamation. Let those who still marvel that Mr. Clay, while so popular a man, was not a successful candidate, consider what would have been the chance of Mr. Calhoun's election, had that eminent Statesman been nominated against his great antagonist in 1844, or indeed at any time. He would not have received one-fourth of the Electoral Votes; and yet Mr. Calhoun was the truest and ablest exponent the Country has known of the Political creed antagonist to that of Mr. Clay. has been overlooked, he solicits corrections, and to embody them in the Life. One point may as well be here noted. It has stated with confidence, by one who has in this cas ble motive for falsehood, that Mr. Clay was ac 1775, and so was two years older than he has and in the body of this work still is, represented as this story would seem, it is not utterly devoid tion. Should investigation establish its correct course be readily conformed to in future editions should such be demanded. And thus inviting correction, but by no means d friendly criticism,-conscious that haste and a c engrossing duties have marred the execution of confident that the illustrious subject will neverth faithfully and clearly depicted in this volume, the his task and solicits for its performance only that the standard of its own modest aims, rather than critic's preconception of what its aims should have NEW-YORK, July 17, 1852. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. Birth and Parentage-His Early Days-The Mill Boy of the Slashes-Studies Law- Hears Patrick Henry-Removes to Kentucky-Debut at a Debating Society-Be comes a Successful Practitioner-Cases in which he distinguishes himself-He advo- cates the Policy of gradually Emancipating the Slaves in Kentucky-Opposes the Alien and Sedition Laws-Is elected to the General Assembly-Instances of his Elo- quence-Affair with Col. Daviess-Appears at the Bar for Aaron Burr-Subsequent CHAPTER II. Elected to the Senate of the United States-His First Speech in Favor of Internal Improvements-Is chosen Speaker of the Kentucky House of Assembly-Speeches and Reports-Resolutions in Favor of American Manufactures-Duel with Hum- phrey Marshall-His Sentiments in Regard to Duelling-Takes his Seat a Second Time in the United States Senate-Speaks in Behalf of Domestic Manufactures-Lays the Foundation of the American System-Speech on the Line of the Perdido- Labors of the Session-Third Session of the Eleventh Congress-The United States Bank-He becomes a Member of the United States House of Representatives-Is chosen Speaker on the first Ballot-Critical State of Public Affairs-Is in Favor of a War with Great Britain-Speech on the Bill for raising Troops-On a Naval Estab- CHAPTER III. Mr. Clay prefers a Seat in the House to one in the Senate-Reasons for making him Speaker-The President recommends an Embargo-The Measure opposed by John Randolph and Josiah Quincy-Defended by Mr. Clay-His Intercourse with Ran- dolph-War declared-The Leaders in the House-Mr. Cheves aud Mr. Gallatin- Mr. Clay appointed to confer with President Madison-Anecdotes-Events of the War-Motives-Federal Abuse-Clay's Reply to Quincy-Effects of his Eloquence- Passage of the Army Bill-Madison re-elected President-Mr. Clay resigns the Speaker's Chair, being appointed Commissioner to Ghent-His Services during the Meeting of the Ghent Commissioners-Mr. Clay visits Brussels-Anecdote-Mode of Recharter of the United States Bank-Mr. Clay's Views in 1811 and the House with Randolph-The Compensation Bill-Canvasses his Di with Mr. Pope-The Old Hunter and his Rifle-The Irish Barber Compensation Bill-South American Independence-Internal Imp Clay's Relations with Mr. Madison-Intention of Madison at one '1 him Commander-in-Chief of the Army-Election of James Monroe- his Measures in Behalf of the South American States-His Eloquer Efforts successful-His Speeches read at the Head of the South Am Internal Improvement-Mr. Monroe's Constitutional Objections-Mr. them-Congress adopts his Principles-The Cumberland Road-Ar ment-Discussion of General Jackson's Conduct in the Seminole Clay's Opinions of that Chieftain in 1819-A Prophetic Glimpse-1 General Jackson-The Father of the American System-Bill to regul The Missouri Question-Mr. Clay resigns the Speakership-The Union resumes his Seat in Congress-Unparallelled Excitement-His Com Question-Pacification of Parties-Character of his Efforts-Propos Randolph and some of the Southern Members-Interview with Ra dotes-Randolph and Sheffey-Mr. Clay's Retirement from Congress- of his Private Affairs-Return to the House-Again chosen Speaker- Mr. Clay's Address-Independence of Greece-His Speech-Labors d sion of 1824-Reception of Lafayette in the House-Welcomed by Mr ette's Reply-Lafayette's Wish to see Mr. Clay President-Anecdote The Presidential Question-Nomination of Mr. Clay-His Qualification Mr. Adams's Administration-Coalition of the Opposition-Their CHAPTER X. Mr. Clay's Return to Kentucky-Triumphant Reception-Public Din CHAPTER XI. Reception of the Amended Tariff at the South-Progress of Nullifica of General Jackson-Proclamation-The Protective System in 1 forcement Bill-Perilous State of Affairs-Henry Clay comes Forw The Public Lands-Anecdote-Mr. Clay's Report-Its Provisions-Pa Bill-It is Vetoed by Gen. Jackson-Right of the Old States to a S Domain-Mr. Clay's Efforts-Adjustment of the Question-Mr. Van The Currency Question-General Jackson's "Humble Efforts" to im tion-Recharter of the United States Bank, and the President's Speech upon the Subject-Character of the Veto Power-Remova -Secretaries Duane and Taney-Mr. Clay's Relations toward the B tions in Regard to the Removal of the Deposites-His Speech-A of Mr. Clay's Resolutions-The Protest-Its Doctrines-Eloquen Senate Mr. Leigh-Interesting Incident-The Protest excluded fr Unremitted Exertions of Mr. Clay-Public Distress-Memorials-F |