WASHINGTON, December
22, 1849.
MY DEAR SIR,—I
received your favor of the 17th instant, and thank you for its details. It
seems that I have lost my negro man by the small-pox. I hope the measures taken
will arrest its progress.
My object in writing
you now is one of great importance, and I wish you to lead off in it. It will
do the country good, and do you good.
The feeling for
disunion among some intemperate Southern politicians, is stronger than I hoped
or supposed it could be. The masses generally, even at the South, are, I
believe, yet sound; but they may become influenced and perverted. The best
counter-action of that feeling is to be derived from popular expressions of
public meetings of the people. Now, what I should be glad to see, is such
meetings held throughout Kentucky; for, you must know, that the disunionists
count upon the co-operation of our patriotic State. Can't you get up a large
powerful meeting of both parties, if possible, at Lexington, at Louisville,
etc., to express, in strong language, their determination to stand by the
Union? I hope the Legislature, and the Convention also, if it has not
adjourned, may do the same. If you remain silent and passive, there is danger
that the bad feeling may yet reach you. Now is the time for salutary action,
and you are the man to act. I inclose some resolutions, which, or some similar
to them, I should be happy to see adopted.
Prudence and
propriety will suggest to you, that too free a use of my name should not be
made in getting up this movement. You well know the persons to consult with;
and I wish you would keep me advised of what you do.
SOURCE: Calvin
Colton, Editor, The Private Correspondence of Henry Clay, p. 593
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