xt751c1thm3n https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt751c1thm3n/data/mets.xml https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt751c1thm3n/data/96m2.dao.xml Henry Clay Memorial Foundation (Lexington, Ky.) 1777-1991, undated 64.6 Cubic Feet 179 boxes, 9 wrapped items 10.67 Cubic Feet44 boxes, 2216 items collections 96m2 English University of Kentucky The physical rights to the materials in this collection are held by the University of Kentucky Special Collections.  Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Henry Clay Memorial Foundation papers Lawyers -- Kentucky -- Lexington. Historic buildings -- Kentucky -- Ashland. Real estate development -- Kentucky. Agriculture -- Kentucky -- Lexington. Mexican War, 1846-1848. Buena Vista, Battle of, Mexico, 1847. Tariff -- United States -- History Correspondence. United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865. Railroads -- Kentucky -- History. Compromise of 1850. Lumber trade -- Kentucky. Women -- Suffrage -- Kentucky. Horse racing -- Kentucky -- Lexington. Suffrage -- United States. Horse farms -- Kentucky. Medicine -- Kentucky. Artists -- Kentucky -- Lexington. Women -- Kentucky -- Lexington -- Societies and clubs. Women -- Kentucky -- Lexington Horses -- Breeding -- Kentucky. Henry Clay Memorial Foundation papers text Henry Clay Memorial Foundation papers 1777 1777-1991, undated 2016 true xt751c1thm3n collection true 96m2 96m2 Henry Clay Memorial Foundation papers, 1777-1991, undated  96m2 Papers processed by: Megan Mummey; Photographs processed by: Oliver Keels University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center October 2011 Special Collections Research Center Margaret I. King Building, North Lexington 40506-0039 SCLREF@LSV.UKY.EDU URL:  This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on  2016-07-08 16:00:53 -0400 . Describing Archives: A Content Standard 
   
     
       English 
     
     
       University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center 
     
     Henry Clay Memorial Foundation papers 
     
       Henry Clay Memorial Foundation (Lexington, Ky.) 
     
     
       Clay family 
     
     96m2 
     
       64.6 Cubic Feet 
       179 boxes, 9 wrapped items 
     
     1777-1991, undated 
     The Henry Clay Memorial Foundation papers (dated 1777-1991, undated; 64.6 cubic feet; 179 boxes, 9 wrapped items) contain papers and photographs from the Clay, McDowell, and Bullock families as well as a small amount of operating records for the foundation. Organized into series by family, the papers include various forms of documentation such as correspondence, letter books, diaries, checks, receipts, account books, ledgers, stud books, drawings, paintings, printed materials, realia, and newspaper clippings.  
   
   
     Scope and Contents 
 The Henry Clay Memorial Foundation papers (dated 1777-1991, undated; 64.6 cubic feet; 179 boxes, 9 wrapped items) contain papers and photographs from the Clay, McDowell, and Bullock families as well as a small amount of operating records for the foundation. Organized into series by family, the papers include various forms of documentation such as correspondence, letter books, diaries, checks, receipts, account books, ledgers, stud books, drawings, paintings, printed materials, realia, and newspaper clippings. The material is organized into subseries by creator or recipient. For example, the bulk of letters written by Henry Clay would be found in the papers of his relatives. Correspondence from and to Henry Clay forms the majority of the Henry Clay family papers series. The series also contains correspondence between his children and other descendants; financial and legal material; diaries; and bibles. The McDowell family papers series consists of the papers of Henry Clay McDowell; several of his siblings; his wife Anne Clay McDowell, the granddaughter of Henry Clay; and their children, including suffragist daughter Madeline McDowell Breckinridge. The Bullock family papers series includes the papers of Nannette McDowell Bullock, Henry Clay and Anne Clay McDowell’s daughter; her family; and her husband Thomas S. Bullock’s family. The Henry Clay Memorial Foundation records document the creation of the foundation and their early activities. The photographs compose their own series and include photographs, sketches and photographic reproductions of paintings of members of the Clay, McDowell, and Bullock families.    
   
     Historical note 
 The Henry Clay Memorial Foundation papers contain the archives of three prominent Kentucky families who at different times occupied the Ashland estate in Lexington, Kentucky. The Henry Clay family was one of the most prominent families of early Kentucky statehood, due in part to Henry Clay's fame as a politician, statesman, and lawyer. Henry Clay built Ashland, named for its ash trees, in 1809 and made additions to it in 1811. Clay and his wife, Lucretia, lived at Ashland until his death in 1852. Afterwards Lucretia moved in with her youngest son John Morrison Clay. James Brown Clay, another son, rebuilt Ashland using its original plans during the 1850s. In 1862, following the beginning of the Civil War, James, a Confederate supporter, fled to Canada; he died there in 1864. John Bowman purchased Ashland in 1866 and used it first as a residence and then as a museum for Kentucky University. In 1882 the university sold Ashland to Henry Clay McDowell, the husband of Henry Clay's granddaughter Anne Clay McDowell. The McDowells, a prominent family involved in horse breeding, railroads, land development, and Republican politics, lived in the house until Anne's death in 1917. Her daughter, Nannette McDowell Bullock, took possession of the house, but ultimately desired to turn it into a memorial to Henry Clay. Nannette worked with Judge Samuel M. Wilson to create the Henry Clay Memorial Foundation in 1926. The foundation succeeded in purchasing Ashland after Nannette Bullock's death in 1949, and Ashland opened to the public as a memorial and museum in 1950. Source:  History of the Ashland Estate   Ashland, The Henry Clay Estate.  Henry Clay Memorial Foundation. n.d. Web. 25 October 2011.     
   
     Preferred Citation 
 96m2: [identification of item], Henry Clay Memorial Foundation papers, 1777-1991, undated, University of Kentucky Special Collections.    
   
     Arrangement 
 Collection is arranged into four series: the Henry Clay family papers, the McDowell family papers, the Bullock family papers, and the Henry Clay Memorial Foundation records. Within each series, the papers are organized into subseries by creator or owner.    
   
     Conditions Governing Use 
 The physical rights to the materials in this collection are held by the University of Kentucky Special Collections.    
   
     Conditions Governing Access 
 Collection is open to researchers by appointment.    
   
     Immediate Source of Acquisition 
 Gift, 1993    
   
     Lawyers -- Kentucky -- Lexington. 
     Ashland (Lexington, Ky.)  
     Historic buildings -- Kentucky -- Ashland. 
     Real estate development -- Kentucky. 
     Kentucky -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865. 
     Agriculture -- Kentucky -- Lexington. 
     Mexican War, 1846-1848. 
     Buena Vista, Battle of, Mexico, 1847. 
     Tariff -- United States -- History 
     Correspondence. 
     United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865. 
     Railroads -- Kentucky -- History. 
     Compromise of 1850.  
     Lumber trade -- Kentucky. 
     Lexington (Ky.) 
     Big Stone Gap (Va.)  
     Women -- Suffrage -- Kentucky. 
     Horse racing -- Kentucky -- Lexington. 
     Suffrage -- United States. 
     Horse farms -- Kentucky. 
     Medicine -- Kentucky. 
     Artists -- Kentucky -- Lexington. 
     Women -- Kentucky -- Lexington -- Societies and clubs. 
     Women -- Kentucky -- Lexington 
     Horses -- Breeding -- Kentucky. 
     Clay, Henry 
     Breckinridge, Madeline McDowell, 1872-1920 
     Henry Clay Memorial Foundation (Lexington, Ky.) 
     McDowell, Henry C. (Henry Clay) 
     Breckinridge, Mary Curry, 1875-1918 
     McDowell family 
     Breckinridge, William Campbell Preston 
     Clay family 
     Breckinridge, Sophonisba Preston 
     Bristow, Benjamin Helm 
     Clay, Henry Boyle 
     McDowell, Thomas Clay 
     Bullock family. 
     McDowell, William Cochrane 
     McDowell, William Adair 
     McDowell, Henry C. (Henry Clay) 
     Bullock, Henry McDowell 
     McDowell, Edward Irvine 
     McDowell, Magdalen Harvey 
     Brock, Julia McDowell 
     Breckinridge, Desha, 1867-1935 
     Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de 
     United States. Congress. Senate 
     Clay, Henry, 1777-1852 
     United States. Congress. House--1800-1840 
     Crittenden, John J. (John Jordan) 
     Kentucky Union Railway 
     Lexington and Eastern Railway Company 
     Big Stone Gap Improvement Co. 
     Kentucky Union Land Company 
     Goff Land Company 
     South Appalachian Land Company 
     Red River Lumber Company 
     Dictator Cannel Coal Company 
     Roosevelt, Theodore 
     Kentucky Geological Survey 
     Eastern Kentucky Lunatic Asylum 
     Smith, Milton H. 
     International American Conference. 
     Lafferty, Maude Ward 
     Seay, Lorraine 
     Bullock, Samuel A. 
     Bullock, Sallie Overton 
     Cave, Sally Bullock 
     Bullock, Thomas, S., Dr. 
     Bullock, Waller Overton 
     Bullock, Nannette McDowell 
     Bullock, Waller Overton, Dr. 
     McLain, Raymond F. 
     Lavin, Curtis L. 
     Webb, Louise Gray 
     Clay, James B. (James Brown) 
     Clay, Susan Maria Jacob  
     Clay, John M., Mrs. (Josephine Russell Erwin) 
     Clay, Henry Hart 
     Clay, Lucretia Hart 
     Clay, Julia Prather 
     Erwin, Anne Clay 
     McDowell, Anne Clay 
     Clay, Thomas Julian 
     Clay, Theodore Wythe 
     Clay, Cassius Marcellus 
     Clay, Lucretia Hart, 1781-1864 
     Clay, Thomas Hart, 1803-1871 
     Webster, Daniel 
     Clay, John M. (John Morrison), 1821-1887 
   
   Henry Clay family papers Series I. 1777-1933, undated Biographical note Henry Clay (1777-1852), statesman, orator, and Secretary of State, was born to Baptist minister John Clay and Elizabeth Hudson Clay in Hanover County, Virginia, on April 12, 1777. Clay, with little formal education, entered the Virginia bar in 1797, shortly before relocating to Lexington, Kentucky, to open a law practice. First elected to public office in 1803, Clay's involvement in the politics of the United State lasted until his death in 1852. He served as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives (1811-1814, 1815-1820, 1823-1825), as Secretary of State for John Quincy Adams (1825-1829), and as a senator in the U.S. Senate (1806-1807, 1810-1811, 1831-1842, 1849-1852). Attempting to fulfill his ultimate dream, Clay ran unsuccessfully for president three times: in 1824 as a Democratic Republican, in 1832 as a National Republican, and in 1844 as a Whig. Dubbed the  Great Compromiser  for his efforts to preserve the Union, Clay helped negotiate compromises during several conflicts between the free and slave states, including the Missouri Compromise in 1820 and the Great Compromise in 1850.   As well as being a skilled orator and politician, Henry Clay was also a progressive agrarian and stockman, who took great pleasure in managing his own affairs and improvements at his estate, Ashland. He brought donkeys from Spain and Malta to Ashland as well as Hereford cattle and Durham short horn cattle.  Clay's stables produced several still prominent horse blood lines, including eleven descendants who won the Kentucky Derby.  Furthermore, he regularly submitted articles to agricultural journals and sat on the committee of the Kentucky Society for Promoting Agriculture. Henry Clay married Lucretia Hart (1781-1864) on April 11, 1799, and had eleven children with her: Henrietta (1800-1801), Theodore Wyeth (1802-1870), Thomas Hart (1803-1871), Susan Hart (1805-1825), Anne Brown (1807-1835), Lucretia Hart (1809-1823), Henry, Jr. (1811-1847), Eliza (1813-1825), Laura (1815-1817), James Brown (1817-1864), and John Morrison (1821-1887).  Of his children, only seven lived to adulthood and two followed him in politics: Henry, Jr. and James Brown. Theodore Wyeth Clay, Henry Clay's oldest son, spent the majority of his life institutionalized at the Eastern Kentucky Lunatic Asylum and never married. Thomas Hart Clay, a farmer who worked his father's land near Terre Haute, Indiana, married Marie Mentelle in 1837 and had five children: Lucretia Hart (1839-1860), Henry Boyle (1840-1919), Thomas Hart (1843-1907), Rose Victoire (1845-1878), and Minnie R. (1848-1892). Susan Hart Clay married Martin Duralde in 1823; they had two children: Martin, III (1823-1846) and Henry Clay (1824-1850). Anne Brown Clay married James Erwin, a lawyer from Kentucky, in 1823, and had seven children: Julia D. (1825-1828); Henry Clay (1827-1859); James, Jr. (1828-1848); Lucretia Hart (1829-1866); Andrew Eugene (1830-1863) who died during the battle of Vicksburg; Mary (1832); and Charles Edward (1835-1860). Henry Clay, Jr. (1811-1847) followed in his father's footsteps by becoming a lawyer and a politician. He graduated from Transylvania University in 1828 and attended West Point from 1828 to 1831. Upon his graduation in June 1831, he received a commission as an engineer, however, by November Henry, Jr. had resigned this commission to study law. After studying law in Louisiana, Henry, Jr. entered the Kentucky bar in 1833.  He married Julia Prather (1814-1840) of Louisville in 1832; they had five children: Henry, III (1833-1862), Matilda (1835), Anne Brown also called Nannette (1837-1917), Martha (1838), and Thomas Julian (1840-1863). Henry, Jr. served in the Kentucky state legislature as a Whig from 1835 until 1837. His wife, Julia, died in 1840 due to complications following the birth of Thomas Julian. In 1845, Henry, Jr. raised a group of volunteers for the Mexican War and accepted a commission as a Lieutenant Colonel of the 2nd Kentucky Volunteer Infantry Regiment. An aide to General Zachary Taylor, Henry, Jr. was killed on February 23, 1847, while leading a charge during the battle of Buena Vista. James Brown Clay (1817-1864) was also a politician and lawyer. He attended Transylvania University and worked in a Boston countinghouse for two years (1832-1834) before studying law. He practiced law with his father in Lexington, Kentucky. In 1843 he married Susan M. Jacobs, the sister of a Lexington mayor; they had eleven children: Lucy Jacob (1844-1863), James Brown, Jr. (1846-1906), John Cathcoat Johnston (1847-1872), Henry Clay (1849-1884), Lucretia Hart (1851-1923), Thomas Jacob (1853-1939), Susan Maria (1855-1863), Charles Donald (1857-1935), George Hudson (1858-1934), and Nathaniel Hart (1861-1862). After the death of his brother, Henry, Jr. in 1847, James Brown helped raise his brother’s son, Henry Clay III (also called Henry Hart). From 1849 until 1850, James Brown served as Chargé d'Affaires to Portugal. He sat in the United States' Thirty-Fifth Congress as a Democratic member of the House of Representatives from 1857 until 1859; he was not a candidate for reelection. After refusing an appointment on a diplomatic mission to Germany, James Brown attended an 1861 peace convention in Washington, D.C. attempting to forestall secession. Upon the outbreak of the Civil War, he sided with the Confederacy and received permission to raise a regiment, however, due to his ill health he never took up arms. Instead, he traveled to Montreal, Canada, with his family, where he died on January 26, 1864, from tuberculosis.  Henry Clay's youngest son, John Morrison Clay (1821-1887), spent most of his life as a thoroughbred horse breeder and horse racer in Lexington. After Henry Clay's death in 1852, John Morrison inherited a portion of his father's Ashland estate where he raised horses. To distinguish it from James Brown Clay's inheritance, John Morrison called his farm Ashland Stud and sometimes Ashland-on-the-Tate's-Creek-Pike. On July 7, 1866, he married Josephine Russell Erwin (1835-1920), the widow of his nephew, Eugene Erwin, who died at the Battle of Vicksburg in 1863; they had no children. Although he suffered through several periods of mental illness during his life, John Morrison's stud farm became very successful. He traveled the race circuit and Josephine managed the day to day aspects of the farm. Their farm produced many famous race horses such as Skedaddle, Survivor, Star Davis, Sauce Box, and Squeeze ‘em. Following John Morrison's death in 1887, Josephine continued to successfully run Ashland Stud until 1903; she died in 1920.  Source: Labach, William A.  Henry Clay (1777-1852) and Lucretia Hart (1781-1864).  Version 3231. LABACH Project. 14 April 2003. Web. 18 October 2011. Clark, Thomas D.  Biographical Sketch.   Ashland: The Henry Clay Estate . Henry Clay Memorial Foundation. n.d. Web. 18 October 2011. CLAY, Henry, (1777 - 1852).   Biographical Directory of the United States Congress . United States Congress. n.d. Web. 18 October 2011. CLAY, James Brown, (1817 - 1864).   Biographical Directory of the United States Congress . United States Congress. n.d. Web. 18 October 2011. Scope and Contents Correspondence, diaries, bibles, speeches, legal documents, newspaper clippings, and artifacts compose the Henry Clay Family Papers series, and document the private and family life of Henry Clay, his wife Lucretia Hart Clay, his children, and many of his grandchildren. The series is divided into subseries based on the owner of the material. Correspondence from and to Henry Clay forms the bulk of the series. Although a number of letters come from historically significant figures such as the Marquis de LaFayette, John J. Crittenden, and Daniel Webster, most correspondence involves members of the Clay family and provides a wealth of information regarding their familial interactions. The letters to Clay from his sons, their wives, and their children offer rare information concerning Clay’s wife, Lucretia Hart, who after 1835 refused to accompany him to Washington or even to correspond with him. In addition, the correspondence illuminates his relationships with his sons, primarily Henry Clay, Jr., but also his troubled sons Theodore Wyeth, Thomas Hart, and John Morrison. The correspondence between Henry Clay and Henry, Jr. details Henry, Jr.'s experiences as a cadet at West Point, as a lawyer in Louisville, and as a Lieutenant Colonel during the Mexican War. The series also contains letters of condolence and mementos sent to Henry Clay upon the death of Henry, Jr. at the Battle of Buena Vista; letters describing the mental troubles of Theodore Wyeth and later John Morrison; and letters lamenting the deaths of other Clay children, such as Anne Brown Clay Erwin and Susan Hart Clay Duralde. Furthermore, the series includes financial and legal documents concerning Henry Clay, several of his speeches, the family bible, and presidential campaign ribbons.  Beyond Henry Clay, the series contains the correspondence of other Clay family members including letters from and to James Brown Clay and his wife Susan M. Jacobs while they lived in Canada during the Civil War; letters from Henry Clay, Jr. to his children; and Henry Hart Clay’s correspondence while at West Point. Further highlights of the series include Henry Clay, Jr.’s Mexican War diaries, John Morrison Clay’s diary kept during his time as a horse breeder, Julia Prather Clay’s journal from her trip to Europe, James Brown Clay’s eulogy, and a newspaper clipping written by Susan Clay recounting the story of Daniel Boone’s ghostly visit to Ashland. In addition to the material created by the Clay family, the series contains the notebook of Thomas Lewinski, the architect who rebuilt Ashland between 1854 and 1857, and two letters from Walter Kirkpatrick, a tutor to the Clay children, giving an outsider’s perspective of the Clay family. Henry Clay papers Subseries A. 1797-1889 Scope and Contents Correspondence, financial and legal papers, speeches, bibles, realia, and newspaper clippings comprise the Henry Clay papers subseries and document Clay’s interactions with his family. Organized by date, the correspondence mostly consists of letters from Clay’s third son, Henry Clay, Jr., describing life at West Point, his studies in the law, his ambitions concerning the study of literature, the condition of Henry Clay’s estate Ashland, and the Mexican War. Furthermore, Henry Clay, Jr.’s letters document his love affair with his wife Julia Prather and issues concerning his brothers, including Theodore Wythe, Thomas Hart, and John Morrison. Henry Clay’s correspondence also contains letters from various family members and friends as well as political figures like Daniel Webster and the Marquis Lafayette. Additionally, the subseries includes a small amount of financial and legal material; speeches such as a handwritten copy of the Raleigh speech; newspaper clippings concerning family members; and the Clay and Hart family bibles. The realia consists of several Clay presidential ribbons and a medallion showing Henry Clay’s profile.  Additional Henry Clay letters can be found in the correspondence of his family members, including Henry Clay, Jr., Lucretia Hart Clay, Julia Prather Clay, Henry Hart Clay, Thomas Hart Clay, and John Morrison Clay. Correspondence Subseries i. 1804-1851 Letters to Henry Clay 1811-1829 Thomas Prather to Henry Clay, Louisville 1809 December 2 1 1 1 Scope and Contents Bill for $102.80. Worden Pope to Henry Clay, Louisville 1811 October 2 1 1 2 Scope and Contents Dispute of land titles to be settled by Clay. Susan Clay Duralde to Henry Clay. Near New Orleans, primarily concerning the general health and welfare of her family 1852 August 8 1 1 3 General Lafayette to Henry Clay, Paris 1826 April 28 1 1 4 Scope and Contents Lafayette has not heard from his friends in the U.S. government for awhile and requests information about the American political scene. Henry Clay, Jr. to Henry Clay, West Point 1827 March 27 1 1 5 Scope and Contents Relates news of the Smiths' visit with him at the Academy and of his decision to remain at the school until he graduates. Henry Clay, Jr. to Henry Clay, West Point 1827 May 7 1 1 6 Scope and Contents Recounts an incident in which he and a postal worker had an argument. The postal worker ordered him to leave the post office. Henry, Jr. left but later returned with his pistols. Some of his fellow cadets intervened preventing him from injuring the postal worker. Upon a complaint made to the postmaster general, Henry, Jr. was suspended from the boot camp where he was preparing to enter West Point Academy. The incident did not prevent his entrance into the Point. Henry Clay, Jr. to Henry Clay, Washington 1827 June 16 1 1 7 Scope and Contents Prepares to leave Washington for West Point and writes fondly of Bradford, a friend and fellow Kentuckian at West Point disliked by his father. Henry Clay, Jr. to Henry Clay, West Point 1827 June 24 1 1 8 Scope and Contents Reports his safe arrival and admission to the Academy. Ann Brown Clay Erwin to Henry Clay, Washington 1828 July 9 1 1 9 Scope and Contents General news pertaining to her family's health, a visit from Henry, Jr. and about the Washington social scene. Henry Clay, Jr. to Henry Clay, West Point 1829 January 2 1 1 10 Scope and Contents Relieved that his father accepts his decision to enter the law after graduating from West Point instead of staying in the military. Both agree that with Jackson as commander-in-chief, Henry, Jr. has little chance for a successful military career. Henry Clay, Jr. to Henry Clay, West Point 1829 February 1 1 1 11 Scope and Contents Concerning a perceived unfair treatment by his math professor and his overall class standing. Henry Clay, Jr. to Henry Clay, West Point 1829 March 29 1 1 12 Scope and Contents Acknowledges receiving money his father sent him so he could take a summer furlough in Kentucky. He is looking forward to being in Kentucky and visiting Ashland. Comments on Jackson's election to presidency. Henry Clay, Jr. to Henry Clay, West Point 1829 May 19 1 1 13 Scope and Contents Reassures his father that he will keep up his studies to maintain his class standing even though he has decided not to pursue a military career. Henry Clay, Jr. to Henry Clay, West Point 1829 June 2 1 1 14 Scope and Contents Writes that he is happy and relieved to learn his father approves of his choice of a legal career and is looking forward to his Kentucky visit. Henry Clay, Jr. to Henry Clay, West Point 1829 September 1 1 1 15 Scope and Contents Informs his father that he is settling down to study for his second year and he is glad he has returned to the Academy. Henry Clay, Jr. to Henry Clay, West Point 1829 September 18 1 1 16 Scope and Contents Assures his father that he is happy with his decision to continue at West Point. Apologizes for having considered leaving the Academy and is glad his father convinced him to return to his studies. Henry Clay, Jr. to Henry Clay, West Point 1829 October 24 1 1 17 Scope and Contents Acknowledges receipt of letter informing him of aunt Sophia Clay's death. He is doing well in his studies. He likes civil engineering and would not mind working as an engineer for a short time before beginning his studies of the law. Adds that he thought he would use law as a stepping-stone to a political career, but the elections of late had so disappointed him he was no longer certain he wished to be involved in politics. Adds that he would prefer to find work which would permit him to indulge in his love of literature but does not think it a practical way to earn a living. Letters to Henry Clay 1830-1831 Henry Clay, Jr. to Henry Clay, West Point 1830 May 21 1 2 1 Scope and Contents Informs his father that he delivered a speech which was well received. Henry Clay, Jr. to Henry Clay, West Point circa 1830 June 23 1 2 2 Scope and Contents Reiterates his pleasure that his address was a success. He will stay at West Point because he thinks it will set a good example for his younger brothers and because quitting might reflect on his character. He asks his father to respond to his reasoning and assures him that, if he wishes, he'll remain at the Academy. Henry, Jr. has been appointed adjutant, the most responsible of positions. It is possible that the forthcoming report from Board of Visitors may be marred by the opinion of the acting President, General Stokes, whose son was dismissed from the Academy. Henry Clay, Jr. to Henry Clay, Camp Eaton 1830 July 4 1 2 3 Scope and Contents His July 4th speech before a crowd of about 400 to 500 people went even better than his last address. Mr. Skinner, editor of a sports periodical paid him the ultimate compliment:  The Orator of the day, in the language of the turf, Blood will show itself.  All the attention lately given to preparing the talks has affected his studies and may have caused him to fall in his class ranking. Still, he could remain second overall, presuming his father wished him to stay at the school. Delivering addresses is good practice for a legal career. Henry Clay, Jr. to Henry Clay, Camp Eaton 1830 July 12 1 2 4 Scope and Contents Uncle and Aunt Brown visited. Uncle Brown spoke to him about remaining one more year and graduating. Admits he could not have a career in a military where the chief officers were beholden to a commander-in-chief who was his father's avowed enemy. Besides he was dissatisfied with the ambitions and intrigues of his superiors. Refers to the animosity between Superintendent [Sylvanus] Thayer and Secretary of War [John] Eaton. Thinks he was unfairly treated by some of his superiors because they are Jackson men and he is Clay's son. Henry Clay, Jr. to Henry Clay, West Point circa 1830 September 16 1 2 5 Scope and Contents Writes that he considers only two possible careers for himself: the law or the army. Likes the idea of being a professional soldier because it has job security, good pay, and a chance to study literature in Europe. He requested one or two year leave so he could go to Paris, or some other European city, to study literature. Assures his father that he is aware it would be difficult to earn a living as a man of letters, but he wants to study briefly. Is pleased with his promotion from adjutant to teacher. Asks for advice about what to do with his life after graduation. Closes with a plea for more letters from home. Henry Clay, Jr. to Henry Clay, West Point 1830 December 26 1 2 7 Scope and Contents Pleased his parents are going to winter in New Orleans and wishes he could go with them. Glad his father is making improvements to Ashland. Thought his father's suggestion that he tour the northern states after graduation before returning west to Kentucky is a sound idea since he is already in the area. Henry Clay, Jr. to Henry Clay, West Point 1830 November 16 1 2 6 Scope and Contents Distressed at the news regarding the problems his older brothers Thomas and Theodore are causing with their misbehavior. He is glad to hear his sister Anne might be moving closer to Ashland and to her family. The New York elections were a disappointment. Heard his father is making improvements to Ashland and offers some suggestions. Tells how much he likes his composition and eloquence course. Asks for letters of introduction for a trip to Washington. Still grappling with what to do with his life after graduation. He would consider remaining in the army if he could be General [Winfield] Scott's aide. He does not want to be a lawyer if he could not be a first rate one. Still desirous of going to Europe to study literature. Henry Clay, Jr. to Henry Clay, West Point 1831 April 3 1 2 8 Scope and Contents Informs his father that he will be graduating in about three months and is pleased with his performance. They will discuss future prospects when he gets to Kentucky and he will follow his father's advice about choosing a profession. Henry Clay, Jr. to Henry Clay, West Point 1831 May 7 1 2 9 Scope and Contents Acknowledges receiving the $300 dollars his father sent to him and has decided to return home with his father after graduation rather than touring. Still does not know whether to leave or remain in the military after graduation. When he feels depressed, and does not care if he lives his life in obscurity, he favors a military career. But when his ambition is fired and he thinks of attaining a status equal to his father's, he believes law the best career choice. Asks Clay to relieve him of the responsibility of choice and make the decision for him. Notes his fear that his father thinks too highly of his abilities and expects more of him than he could achieve. Henry Clay, Jr. to Henry Clay, [New York] wrapper only circa 1832 June 11 1 2 10 Scope and Contents H. Clay Jun. is written on the wrapper in Henry, Sr.'s hand with 1832 written by an unknown person. Henry Clay, Jr. to Henry Clay, West Point 1831 June 21 1 2 11 Scope and Contents Informs his father that he has completed his studies, passed his examinations, graduated second in his class and has been admitted to the Engineer Corps which pleases him very much as it is a high military honor. Attributes his good fortune to General [Winfield] Scott, friend to both Clays, who is president of the board responsible for such decisions. He will be stationed in New York and work on the fortifications in the bay and harbor. Thinks he will be home by July 10th, at which time he hopes to accompany his father to Washington. Will make several stops on the way home and plans to leave the following afternoon for New York City. Henry Clay, Jr. to Henry Clay, New Orleans 1831 December 7 1 2 12 Scope and Contents Finds it difficult to answer letters from home. Anne, his sister, has not arrived in New Orleans but is expected soon. Has accepted [Martin] Duralde's [his brother-in-law] invitation to live at the Duralde home as soon as it is completed. Likes New Orleans except for the climate which he says makes him ill. Observes that his letter will reach Clay in Washington at one of the most important times in the nation's history. [On December 12th, Clay was nominated as the presidential candidate of the National Republican Party.] He disagrees with his father regarding when he should stand for his examination before the Louisiana High Court. Has developed a reputation for industry and people might think him lazy if he takes to long. Thinks he will do well practicing law in New Orleans. Asks Clay for money. Henry Clay, Jr. to Henry Clay, New Orleans 1831 December 16 1 2 13 Scope and Contents Still living in a hotel and stud