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LOT #42120 |
Starting Bid: $1,000
Henry Clay Autograph Letter Signed....
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Description
Henry Clay Notes Failure of First Ever Assassination Attempt on a U.S. President, Andrew Jackson
Henry Clay Autograph Letter Signed. ("H. Clay"). One
sheet mounted on linen, 10 x 7 7/8 inches; "Senate
Chambers," Washington; February 6, 1835.This letter was written by Henry Clay to F. T. Brooke days after the first ever assassination attempt on a U.S. President. On January 30, 1835, a man named Richard Lawrence broke into the U.S. Capitol and attempted to shoot President Andrew Jackson but both of his pistols misfired, causing the attempt to be futile. Clay's letter reads, in full:
"My Dear Sir,
I received your last favor, and was happy to learn that there exists a better prospect of harmony between the discussions of the opposition in your Legislature. The election of Mr. Hugh relieved us here very much and diffused better spirits among the opposition.
The attempt made upon the life of the President is now generally believed to have resulted from insanity. The miserable creature who made it being unable to give bail is in confinement.
We have nothing recently from France. I am almost afraid to hear from it. Such is the influence of party, that I apprehend in the event of a second rejection of the bill of appropriation (and I lost for nothing else) it will be intensely difficult to prevent a war, every aspect of which is ominous.
I think there will be no unison effected in the opposition ranks upon any candidate for the Presidency, during the present session of Congress. The nomination of McLane has proved an entire failure and it is so acknowledged by some of his friends. That of Mr. Webster has produced no favorable impression out of Massachusetts. Within it great distractions prevail among the Whigs. Without being at all aware of Webster's intentions or those of his friends, I cannot but think that he would gladly embrace any honorable retreat from his present position.
Upon the whole our prospects, present and future are far from being encouraging.
I am happy to tell you that Mrs. Clay's health continues good. She was
able a few weeks ago to a wedding of a nephew of hers twenty miles distant from
Ashland.
What is doing with the Land lobbyist in your Legislature?
Your friend
H. Clay."
Clay was one of Jackson's chief political rivals and leader of the imminent Whig Party. The "opposition" he mentions refers to anti-Jackson forces-National Republicans, Anti-Masons, and others-who were trying (and often failing) to unify against Jackson's Democratic Party. Clay's frustration about lack of "unison" reflects the disorganization of this coalition. He speaks about the assassination attempt in a removed tone as if it was general, everyday news, reflecting his sentiments towards Jackson. Following Lawrence's attempt to murder the President, many, including Clay, attributed the act to insanity and the culprit was jailed.
Condition: Good overall. Mounted on linen. The paper with general toning, pronounced fold lines, a minor stabilized tear bottom left, and light pencil annotations. The ink slightly faded but legible.
Auction Info
2026 June 19 The John H. Freund Americana Collection Signature® Auction #6331 (go to Auction Home page)
Proxy Bidding Ends
June
19th
Friday
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Auction Dates
June
19th
Friday
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