Cassius M. Clay to Charles Dana
2011MS203
University of Kentucky Special Collections
1
5
0.1 Cubic feet
1 box
1893 November 4
Housed with multiple collections.
Clay, Cassius Marcellus, 1810-1903
Scope and Contents note
The collection consists of a letter from Cassius M. Clay to Charles A. Dana concerning an editorial,
What is this Senator Hill? written and published by Dana in the
New York Sun.
Conditions Governing Access note
Collection is open to researchers by appointment.
Conditions Governing Use note
The physical rights to the materials in this collection are held by the University of Kentucky Special Collections.
Preferred Citation note
2011MS203: [identification of item], Cassius M. Clay to Charles Dana, 1893 November 4, University of Kentucky Special Collections.
Arrangement note
Collection is arranged by format.
Biographical note
Cassius Marcellus Clay was born in 1810 in Madison County, Kentucky. He was the son of Green Clay, a Revolutionary War general, and a nephew of Henry Clay. Clay attended Yale University and was anti-slavery, although he advocated gradual emancipation. In 1845, Clay began the
True American an anti-slavery paper, and later followed this with another anti-slavery paper
The Examiner. Clay served in the Kentucky Legislature from 1835-1840. Clay was minister to Russia twice, and as minister he performed the same basic duties as an ambassador. His terms in Russia were from 1861-1862 and 1863-1869. During the period of his recall, 1862-1863, Clay served as a Union Major General in the Civil War. Clay's serving as minister to Russia continued to strengthen the ties between these two nations. This led to the U.S. supporting Russia in the Crimean War (1853-1856) and Russia supporting the Union in the American Civil War (1861-1865). During Clay's first term as minister, roughly 1861-1862, he brought his wife and his knife collection, and seemed to fit in well with the Russian upper class. Clay retired to his estate, White Hall, where he wrote his autobiography,
The Life of Cassius Marcellus Clay: Memoirs, Writings, and Speeches. He died on July 22, 1903.
Charles Anderson Dana (1819-1897) was a prominent journalist and a part owner of the
New York Sun.
Dana, Charles A., (Charles Anderson), 1819-1897
New York Sun.
The Autograph Alcove.
Journalists--Correspondence
United States--Politics and government--19th century.