Clay, Henry (1777-1852) to Stephen Van Rensselaer
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04623.01 Author/Creator: Clay, Henry (1777-1852) Place Written: Ashland, Kentucky Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 4 June 1831 Pagination: 1 p. : address : docket ; 25 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
Writes, "It was a weak measure to discharge the old cabinet, distrusted and incompetent as it was. And not much will be gained by the new one." Asks Van Rensselaer how things go in New York, and want to know, will those "opposed to this administration unite in pulling it down?" Jackson's first cabinet was broken up due to the Petticoat Affair, a sex scandal involving members of the cabinet. Clay was Jackson's chief political rival
Stephen Van Rensselaer was a New York Representative until 1829.
Ashland 4 June 1831
My dear General
The contradictory statements which reach me about the condition of your health induce me to desire to hear directly from yourself. How is it? I [] hope that you may be able to render a good account of it.
I spent last winter, very agreeably, in the same [] at N. Orleans, whose society we jointly enjoyed the previous winter. My pleasures were attended with but one regret, and that was that you were not there to share them, as we, at one time, hoped you would be. My own health, which continues good, was benefited by the more genial climate of the South, which felt, however, very [], the [] of the last [] winter.
What changes at Washington! The Administration cannot fail to lose much of the public confidence by them. It was a weak measure to discharge the old cabinet, distrusted and incompetent as it was. And not much will be gained by the new one, which will probably be formed.
What changes throughout the Country! We have been so mortified and disappointed by former recalls of our Elections in K. that our opinions must have lost confidence with our distant friends; but I will, nevertheless, say that I shall be more than ever deceived of, in August next, we do not get two thirds of the delegation to Congress and two thirds of the members of one [].
Will you heal your divisions in N. York? Will all, Masons and Antimasons, Workers and Adams men &c who are opposed to this administration unite in pulling it down? Do the dissenters among them, at the last fall election, continue and are they excusable? Let me hear from you, and above all let me hear that your health and spirit are good.
With constant & cordial regard
H. Clay
Genl. Stephen Van Rensselaer
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