[AMERICAN AUTOGRAPHS.] CLAY, Henry (1777-1852), The Great Compromiser. ADS, in text ("Mr. Clay"), in third person, n.d. [4 February 1825]. 2pp., 4to, slight chipping along edge, docketed on blank integral leaf (detached). CLAY REJECTS THE CHARGE OF A CORRUPT BARGAIN WITH JOHN QUINCY ADAMS DURING THE 1824 ELECTORAL CRISIS. "These charges," Clay writes, "implicated his conduct in regard to the pending Presidential election, and the respectability of the station which the member holds." He demands a "full investigation" of the charges "and an impartial decision on their truth. For if they were true, if he were capable, and base enough, to betray the solemn trust which the Constitution had conceded to him...the House would be scandalized by his continuing to occupy the [Speaker's] Chair...and he merited instantaneous expulsion..." -- PICKERING, Timothy (1745-1829). ALS TO JOHN JAY (1745-1829), Philadelphia, 10 July 1797. 1p., 4to, tipped to another sheet. PICKERING JUSTIFIES HIS CONDUCT DURING THE QUASI WAR WITH FRANCE and cites the 1778 Treaty of Alliance. "Instead of a copy of the convention of the armed neutrality, I send you by Col. Lawrence the book containing the history, from which in connection with the 9th article I drew the conclusion that it was to be obligatory only during the then existing war. The article itself indeed explicitly declares it: but the latter clause in that article, in apparent contradiction to the first clause, gave rise to the remarks of Mr. Livingston & others, that it was intended to be permanent..." -- PICKERING. ALS to Charles F. Mercer (1778-1858). 4pp., 4to, closely written, stains, closed tears at creases, repairs to center fold catching portions of a few words. "WHY NOT REDUCE THE ARMY AT ONCE". Pickering argues why Mercer--a Federalist Congressman--should support a reduction of the Army. "Some gentlemen act as if they thought a large standing army in time of peace necessary for the dignity of our magnificent empire. But the real dignity of a nation consists in the wisdom of its rulers, and the virtue & happiness of the people." -- OGLE, Samuel. ALS to Gov. Hamilton, 20 May 1750. 4pp., 4to, split at creases, stained, remnants of mounting on verso. Discussing the boundary dispute between Maryland and Pennsylvania: "There is so much Reason to believe that Commissioners will very soon be appointed by his Majesty at the Request of the Governor of Virginia, to run some of the lines in question in a more authentick manner than we can pretend to do..." -- PLATER, George. ALS to Horatio Sharpe, 22 June 1766. 1p., folio, tears at creases (tape on verso), chipped at edges, remnants of mounting on verso. Seeking pardon for a slave: "As it was a first offence & he is a very valuable fellow, I am inclined to solicit your Excellency's pardon for him..." -- HUNTINGTON, Jedediah. ALS to Thomas & Thomas (printers), New London, 9 January 1801. 1p., folio, seal hole. Acknowledging a set of Winchester's Lectures. Together 6 items. (6)