Details
CLAY, HENRY, Secretary of State. Autograph letter signed ("H. Clay," with flourish) to F.T. Brooke, New Orleans, 30 December 1842. 1 page, 4to, 255 x 200mm. (10 x 8 in.), integral address leaf in Clay's hand, remants of red wax seal, minor defects, otherwise very good.
CLAY PONDERS HIS CHANCES AGAINST THE WHIGS IN THE 1844 ELECTIONS
Clay looks forward to the Presidential elections of 1844: "...[M]y voyage has been distinguished by enthusiastic demonstrations wherever I have been. My effort has been rather to repress than to excite them. So far I have succeeded in avoiding my tour being given a political aspect...Every where I find great confidence prevailing among the Whigs of their success in 1844...[E]lections of the past fall, which have been lost by them, have been lost, not by the increased strength of their opponents, but by voters remaining absent from feelings of mortification and disgust created by the acting President [John Tyler]...[T]he problem to be solved is whether the Whigs can be rally'd in [18]44. I hope and believe they will be..."
Clay was the Whig nominee in 1844 (as he had been in 1824 and 1832) and appeared to be a certain victor, but, undercut by a third-party candidate and attacked by the press, Clay lost to Democrat Polk. It was his last campaign for the White House and he commented bitterly "I am the most unfortunate man in the history of parties, always run by my friends when sure to be defeated."
CLAY PONDERS HIS CHANCES AGAINST THE WHIGS IN THE 1844 ELECTIONS
Clay looks forward to the Presidential elections of 1844: "...[M]y voyage has been distinguished by enthusiastic demonstrations wherever I have been. My effort has been rather to repress than to excite them. So far I have succeeded in avoiding my tour being given a political aspect...Every where I find great confidence prevailing among the Whigs of their success in 1844...[E]lections of the past fall, which have been lost by them, have been lost, not by the increased strength of their opponents, but by voters remaining absent from feelings of mortification and disgust created by the acting President [John Tyler]...[T]he problem to be solved is whether the Whigs can be rally'd in [18]44. I hope and believe they will be..."
Clay was the Whig nominee in 1844 (as he had been in 1824 and 1832) and appeared to be a certain victor, but, undercut by a third-party candidate and attacked by the press, Clay lost to Democrat Polk. It was his last campaign for the White House and he commented bitterly "I am the most unfortunate man in the history of parties, always run by my friends when sure to be defeated."