ASHLAND, September
26, 1851.
MY DEAR SIR,—I
received your favor of the 19th instant, with the memorial inclosed. On the
subject of the next Presidency, my opinions and views have undergone no change
since I last wrote to you. Should I be able, as I now hope to be, from my
slowly improving health, to attend the next session of the Senate, we will
confer more freely on that subject. In the mean time, I am glad that my friends
in New York have foreborne to present my name as a candidate.
I have looked at the
list of events and subjects which are proposed to be inscribed on the medal. I
have made out and sent herewith a more comprehensive list, embracing most of
the important matters, as to which I had any agency, during my service in the
National councils. As to the Cumberland Road, no year can be properly fixed.
Appropriations for it were made from year to year, for a series of years, which
were violently opposed, and the support of which chiefly devolved on me. So in
regard to Spanish America, the first movement was made by me in 1818, and my
exertions were continued from year to year, until the measure of recognition
was finally completed in 1822.
The list now sent
may be too large for inscription on the medal. Of course it is my wish that it
should be dealt with, by abridgment, or omission as may be thought proper. The
two reports, made by me in the Senate, which gave me much credit and reputation
were, 1st. That which proposed an equal distribution among the States of the
proceeds of the public domain; and 2d. That which averted General Jackson's
meditated war against France, on account of her failure to pay the indemnity. I
carried both measures against the whole weight of Jackson; but he pocketed the
Land Distribution bill, which was not finally passed until 1841. He could not,
however, make war against France, without the concurrence of Congress, and my
report preserved the peace of the two countries.
My Panama
instructions were the most elaborate (and if I may be allowed to speak of
them), the ablest State paper that I composed while I was in the Department of
State. They contain an exposition of liberal principles, regulating Maritime
War, Neutral Rights, etc., which will command the approbation of enlightened
men and of posterity.
I was glad to see
that you were nominated for Attorney-General at Syracuse, and I heartily wish
for your election.
The address to me
from New York, although published in the papers, has not been received
officially by me. What is intended? I have had some correspondence about it
with Mr. James D. P. Ogden, who sent me a copy informally. I can not venture to
encounter the scenes of excitement which would attend me, if I were to go to
New York; but in anticipation of the reception of the address I have prepared a
pretty long answer, in which I treat of Secession, the state of the country, in
regard to the Slavery question, etc. If this answer be capable of doing any
good, the sooner it is published the better.
[The medal alluded
to in the foregoing letter, was presented to Mr. Clay the 9th of February, 1852,
and is described as follows:1
It is of pure
California gold, massive and weighty, and is inclosed in a silver case, which
opens with a hinge in the manner of a hunting-watch. On the face of the medal
is a fine head of Mr. Clay, most felicitous in the likeness, and conveying the
characteristic impression of his features in a higher degree than any of the
busts or medallions usually seen. The relief is very high, and must have
required a pressure of immense power to give it its fullness, sharpness, and delicacy
of outline. The reverse exhibits the following inscription:
SENATE,
1806.
SPEAKER, 1811.
WAR OF 1812 WITH GREAT BRITAIN.
GHENT, 1814.
SPANISH AMERICA, 1822.
MISSOURI COMPROMISE, 1821.
AMERICAN SYSTEM, 1824.
GREECE, 1824.
SECRETARY OF STATE, 1825.
PANAMA INSTRUCTIONS, 1826.
TARIFF COMPROMISE,
1833.
PUBLIC DOMAIN, 1833-1841.
PEACE WITH FRANCE PRESERVED, 1835.
COMPROMISE, 1850.
The lines are
supported on either hand by tasteful wreaths, in which the six chief American
staples—wheat, corn, cotton, tobacco, rice, and hemp-are very happily
intertwined.
On the silver case
is represented on one side a view of the Capitol (with its contemplated
additional wings fully displayed); and on the other in two distinct
compartments above, an elevation of the great commemorative monument on the
Cumberland road; below, a view of Ashland and its mansion.
SOURCE: Calvin
Colton, Editor, The Private Correspondence of Henry Clay, p. 620-2
