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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Clay, Henry (1777-1852) to William Jarvis

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03307 Author/Creator: Clay, Henry (1777-1852) Place Written: Ashland, Kentucky Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 3 August 1833 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 25 x 20 cm. Order a Copy

Written as Senator from Kentucky. Clay blames the rise of nullification on the "triumph of Gen. [Andrew] Jackson over Mr. [John Quincy] Adams in 1828, alludes to the dangers of the nullification controversy, and highlights his role in effecting a congressional compromise to prevent bloodshed. Clay writes that if he had not compromised he feared the "entire destruction" of the American system of tariffs or a "Civil War." Hopes that manufacturing will not be hurt by the "Compromise" but feels that the bill was fair to both sides of the dispute. Concludes by stating, " ... it should now be the effort of all to maintain unviolated the conditions of the Compromise."

Jarvis was a U. S. Consul to Portugal, international trader, and Vermont farmer. He was also an ardent supporter of the protective tariffs.

Ashland 3 d. Aug. 1833.
Dear Sir
Mr. Wheeler of N. York informs me that you were unapprized of the fate of a piece of black broad cloth which you had the goodness to forward through his care to me. After my return home from Congress, I safely received it here. I have reserved it for a suit of Cloathis [sic] which I mean to wear the ensuing winter. The material and the manufacture are both excellent; and I pray you to be assured that I received, with grateful feelings, this testimonial of your friendly sentiments.
I deeply regretted the state of things which appeared to me to call for the measure of Compromise adopted at the last session. It was a state of things mainly produced, in my opinion, by the triumph of Genl. Jackson over Mr. Adams in 1828. To that event are to be attributed the origin and progress of the spirit of Nullification in the South, which was victorious in Georgia, because it coincided with the sentiments of Genl. Jackson, and failed in South Carolina, because it was opposed to his vindictive passions. My opinions about the American System are totally unchanged; but I distinctly saw that if nothing were done to preserve it at the last Session, we should, at the next, witness its entire destruction or a Civil War. There was a concurrence of favorable circumstances, to avert both calamites, and I endeavored to avail the Country of it.
I sincerely hope that the successful progress of our manufactures may not be checked by the operation of the Compromise. Judging from what I have seen and heard they have not been injured. I think the Bill provides a full compensation for the diminished rate of duty at which it ultimately arrives; and that it should now be the effort of all to maintain unviolated the conditions of the Compromise.
With great respect
I am Your obt. Servt.
The Honble Wm. Jarvis H. Clay
[written on the left margin:]
P.S. I think I addressed a letter to you acknowledging the receipt of the Cloth; but if I did it miscarried.
H.C.

[docket:] Henry Clay. / 3. August 1833.

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852
Jarvis, William, 1770-1859

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