Description:

Henry Clay ALS on 1844 Candidacy "…We have just received tidings of the Whig defeat in the land of steady habits“

1p, measuring 7.75" x 9.5", Ashland, dated April 16, 1843. A fantastic letter signed "H. Clay" and addressed to Hon. J. W. Huntington. Clay provides some insight into the 1844 Presidential election, in which he ran against James K. Polk. It reads in part:

"…We have just received tidings of the Whig defeat in the land of steady habits. I had hoped for a different result. I perceive however that there is favorable reaction, but why were we not completely successful? Has it Tylerism, Websterism, Abolitionism, [illegible], or all combined? Tell me the cause and the prospects in the future. It is very mortifying that, in Massachusetts and in Connecticut, where I had supposed that the principle of protection of domestic industry had such firm roots, such indifference, not to say hostility, is manifested to the good cause. How is this? Is it true that in fostering American labor, we are only establishing nurseries for democrats?..." With flattened mail folds and faint edge toning. Boldly signed, very fine.

Henry Clay (1777-1852) was a Kentucky representative in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, and served as U.S. Secretary of State under President John Quincy Adams. He ran for president numerous times, receiving electoral votes in 1824, 1832, and 1844. He strongly pushed his "American System", which was rooted in the "American School" ideas of Alexander Hamilton. The system consisted of a tariff to promote and protect American industry, a national bank, and federal subsidies for infrastructure, especially transport systems. During the 1844 presidential campaign, Clay won the nomination for the Whig party . He strongly argued against the annexation of Texas into the Union, stating that it would cause greater tension over slavery and war with Mexico. This political stance damaged his campaign in the South, and he was narrowly defeated by Polk.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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