Henry Clay letters to Robert Wickliffe
Abstract
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Henry Clay letters to Robert Wickliffe
- Date
- 1803-1844, undated (inclusive)
- Extent
- 0.35 Cubic Feet
- Subjects
- Lawyers -- Correspondence.
- Lexington (Ky.) -- History
- United States -- History -- War of 1812
- Arrangement
- Collection is arranged chronologically.
- Preferred Citation
- 87m7: [identification of item], Henry Clay letters to Robert Wickliffe, 1803-1844, undated, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
- Repository
- University of Kentucky
Collection Overview
- Biography / History
- Congressman, politician, and senator Henry Clay was born on April 12, 1777, in Ashland, Virginia, to John Clay (1754-1781) and Elizabeth Hudson (1750-1829). He studied law in Richmond, Va. and finished his studies in 1797. He was a member (1803-1806) and Speaker (1807-1810) of the Kentucky Legislature and represented Kentucky as a United States Senator (1806-1807, 1810-1811, 1831-1842, and 1849-1852) and as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives (1811-1814, 1815-1821, and 1823-1824). During all but one of his years of service in the House of Representatives, he served as Speaker. Additionally, Clay served as John Quincy Adams' Secretary of State (1825-1829) and ran unsuccessfully for President in 1824, 1832, and 1844. His efforts in the Legislature to avoid dissolution of the Union over the slavery issue included the Missouri Compromise of 1820 and the Compromise of 1850. He married Lucretia Hart (1781-1864) in 1799; they had 11 children. Clay died on June 29, 1852 in Washington, D.C. and was buried in Lexington, Kentucky.
- Scope and Content
- The Henry Clay letters to Robert Wickliffe (dated 1803-1844, undated; 0.35 cubic feet; 1 box) primarily consist of letters written to Robert Wickliffe of Lexington by legislator Henry Clay. Starting in 1810, much of the correspondence discusses current political events, including the War of 1812. Additionally, the correspondence discusses business and family. The collection also includes several documents unrelated to Wickliffe, which may have been included with letters as enclosures.
Restrictions on Access and Use
- Conditions Governing Access
- Collection is open to researchers by appointment.
- Use Restrictions
- The physical rights to the materials in this collection are held by the University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Contents of the Collection
1810
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1810 January 15
- Box 1, folder 1, item 1
Scope and Contents
Letter requesting Wickliffe expedite some legal business.
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1810 April 6
- Box 1, folder 1, item 2
Scope and Contents
Letter regarding the "American Madame Bonaparte", Elizabeth Patterson Bonaparte, and her son.
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1810 April 14
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1810 April 21
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1810 December 21
1811
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1811 January 3
- Box 1, folder 2, item 1
Scope and Contents
Letter regarding a legal matter of Henry Clay's, going through the courts.
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1811 January 8
- Box 1, folder 2, item 2
Scope and Contents
Letter regarding legal matters, Florida, judicial appoinments, and the taking of an enslaved person to New Orleans.
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1811 January 23
- Box 1, folder 2, item 3
Scope and Contents
Letter regarding the sharing of Clay's Lexington office with Wickliffe and on the Regency in England.
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1811 January 26
- Box 1, folder 2, item 4
Scope and Contents
Letter regarding the Bank Charter; Lexington business, including buying up Coleman's debts; and a caning incident in the House of Representatives.
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1811 February 9
- Box 1, folder 2, item 5
Scope and Contents
Letter concerning relations with France; the admission of Orleans into the Union; and Lexington legal affairs which name Mark Harden, Alex Stephenson, and Branham of Frankfort.
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1811 February 16
- Box 1, folder 2, item 6
Scope and Contents
Letter regarding the renewal of the Bank Charter and French sequestration of American vessels.
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1811 February 23
- Box 1, folder 2, item 7
Scope and Contents
Letter regarding the Bank Charter, the marriage of Howard and the Lexington case of Baker and Corneggs vs Chambers.
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1811 March 2
- Box 1, folder 2, item 8
Scope and Contents
Letter regarding John Q. Adams' appointment as a Judge of the Supreme Court, and Joel Barlow as minister to France.
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1811 November 7
- Box 1, folder 2, item 9
Scope and Contents
Letter announcing that Clay has been made Speaker of the House.
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1811 November 18
- Box 1, folder 2, item 10
Scope and Contents
Letter concerning preparations for war (War of 1812).
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1811 December 11
- Box 1, folder 2, item 11
Scope and Contents
Letter concerning vote for war (War of 1812) in Washington and instructions for Major Morrison's bonds in Lexington.
1812
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1812 January 31
- Box 1, folder 3, item 1
Scope and Contents
Letter offering solicitude on losses by fire in Lexington, including Tabbitt's (sp?) business; also mentions the many solicitations he has received for army commissions and the necessity of taxing for war (War of 1812).
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1812 June 21
- Box 1, folder 3, item 2
Scope and Contents
Letter concerning the declaration of war by Congress (War of 1812).
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1812 February 19
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1812 April 5
- Box 1, folder 3, item 4
Scope and Contents
Letter concerning Clay's financial interests in Lexington and on the embargo as a precursor to war; also encourages Wickliffe to enter the Legislature.
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1812 April 19
- Box 1, folder 3, item 5
Scope and Contents
Letter concerning delays in the Congress and the Swann cause in Lexington
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1812 April 26
- Box 1, folder 3, item 6
Scope and Contents
Letter rescheduling Kentucky court business and concerning the death of the Vice President.
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1812 May 14
- Box 1, folder 3, item 7
Scope and Contents
Letter concerning Kentucky business, which includes the cases of: General Swann; Beard and Owen against Morrow; and H. Purviance's heirs in Insole's suit.
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1812 May 17
- Box 1, folder 3, item 8
Scope and Contents
Letter concerning McDowell's suit, Heydel's business, Hazzlehurst (sic) and Winchester, in Kentucky; on decisions on war and taxes, and a caucus in Washington.
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1812 May 24
- Box 1, folder 3, item 9
Scope and Contents
Letter regarding no arrangements to be made with France in the war (War of 1812); and the Republican party's harmonious caucus.
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1812 June 6
- Box 1, folder 3, item 10
Scope and Contents
Letter regarding the declaration of the Prince Regent in England as advancing the US cause; and refers to a secret session of Congress.
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1812 June 11
- Box 1, folder 3, item 11
Scope and Contents
Letter alluding to the high volunteer turn out in Kentucky.
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1812 June 28
- Box 1, folder 3, item 12
Scope and Contents
Letter alluding to sea fights, Pope's desertion, and laments the lack of unity in Congress on the war (War of 1812).
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1812 July 12
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1812 December 3
- Box 1, folder 3, item 14
Scope and Contents
Letter concerning Kentucky business with Russell and to Hanna; on the war, the sinking of the Royal George and Victory on Lake Ontario; refers also to the "dreadful battle at Moskowa between the Russians and the French".
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1812 December 6
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1812 December 17
- Box 1, folder 3, item 16
Scope and Contents
Letter concerning a note given to Henry Clay by Mr. H.H. Hinkman of Boston.
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1812 December 27
- Box 1, folder 3, item 17
Scope and Contents
Letter concerning the army's failure under General Smythe to pass into Canada; and an enquiry as to Bolton Jackson's (Lexington) business.
1813
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1813 February 7
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1813 February 18
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1813 March 7
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1813 May 1
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1813 May 2
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1813 June 6
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1813 June 10
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1813 June 20
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1813 June 27
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1813 July 18
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1813 October 9
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1813 December 12
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1813 December 30
1816
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1816 January 13
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1816 February 23
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1816 May 1
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1816 March 4
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1816 March 7
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1816 April 14
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe and a circular requesting geographical information for a Gazetteer, 1816 April 25-28
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1816 December 18
1817
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1817 January 2
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1817 January 7
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1817 February 17
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1817 October 7
1818
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1818 January 23
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1818 February 13
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1818 March 12
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1818 October 25
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1818 December 30
1819
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1819 February 6
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1819 February 11
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1819 February 17
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1819 March 4
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1819 December 10
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1819 December 14
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1819 December 24
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1819 December 29
1820
1821
1822-1823
1825
1826
1827
1828
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1828 January 8
Henry Clay letter to Robet Wickliffe, 1828 February 22
Henry Clay letter to Robet Wickliffe, 1828 March 17
Henry Clay letter to Robet Wickliffe, 1828 April 7
Henry Clay letter to Robet Wickliffe, 1828 April 19
Henry Clay letter to Robet Wickliffe and a copy of the bond for land in Clark and Fayette Counties to Henry Clay and Robert Wickliffe, 1821 June 20, 1828 May 16
Henry Clay letter to Robet Wickliffe, 1828 May 25
Henry Clay letter to Robet Wickliffe, 1828 November 26
1829
1830
1831
1832
1833
1834 and 1836
1837
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1837 June 20
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1837 June 24
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1837 June 27
Henry Clay letter to Robert Wickliffe, 1837 July 1
1838
1840 and 1844
Other, 1803-1835, undated
Henry Clay letter (Paris, Kentucky) written to Robert Wickliffe, undated
Henry Clay letter (Ashland, Lexington) written to Robert Wickliffe, undated
Land agreement between Henry Clay and Robert Wickliffe, site of old Boonesborough Road at Richmond Road, undated
Resolutions of the Kentucky General Assembly, undated
John Holt letter to Joseph Fricklin, 1835 February 24
George Work letter to Joseph Fricklin, 1835 February 24
Receipt from Robert Wickliffe for Henry Clay, 1812 April 14
Account in Henry Clay vs. James Morrison and Mo. Bradford, 1803 May 18-1812 March 18
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Table of Contents
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UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.
Researchers must have an SCRC Researcher Account to request materials. View account set-up and use instructions here.
Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.
Requests
No items have been requested.
You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.
If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.
