Henry Clay, Sr. (April 12, 1777 – June 29, 1852), was a 19th-century American planter, statesman and orator who represented Kentucky in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, where he served as Speaker. He also served as Secretary of State from 1825 to 1829. Henry Clay Elementary School in the Hegewisch neighborhood in Chicago. Ashland Ave. in Chicago, Illinois, in honor of his estate. Henry Clay is credited with introducing the mint julep drink to Washington, D.C., at the Willard Hotel during his residence as a senator in the city. He was a dominant figure in both the First and Second Party systems. As a leading war hawk, he favored war with Britain and played a significant role in leading the nation to war in 1812. He was the foremost proponent of the American System, fighting for an increase in tariffs to foster industry in the United States, the use of federal funding to build and maintain infrastructure, and a strong national bank. He opposed the annexation of Texas, fearing it would inject the slavery issue into politics. Clay also opposed the Mexican-American War and the "Manifest Destiny" policy of Democrats, which cost him votes in the close 1844 election. Dubbed the "Great Compromiser," he brokered important compromises during the Nullification Crisis and on the slavery issue, especially in 1820 and 1850, during which he was part of the "Great Triumvirate" or "Immortal Trio," along with his colleagues Daniel Webster and John C. Calhoun. He was viewed as the primary representative of Western interests in this group, and was given the names "Henry of the West" and "The Western Star." In 1957, a Senate Committee selected Clay as one of the five greatest U.S. Senators, along with Daniel Webster, John C. Calhoun, Robert La Follette, and Robert Taft. Abraham Lincoln, Whig leader in Illinois, was a great admirer of Clay, saying he was "my ideal of a great man." Lincoln wholeheartedly supported Clay's economic programs. Clay continued to serve both the Union he loved and his home state of Kentucky until June 29, 1852, when he died of tuberculosis in Washington, D.C., at the age of 75. Clay was the first person to lie in state in the United States Capitol. He was buried in Lexington Cemetery, and the eulogy was provided by Theodore Frelinghuysen, who ran as Clay's vice-presidential candidate in the election of 1844. Clay's headstone reads simply: "I know no North — no South — no East — no West." The 1852 pro-slavery novel Life at the South; or, "Uncle Tom's Cabin" As It Is by W.L.G. Smith is dedicated to Clay's memory. Ashland, named for the many ash trees on the property, was his plantation and mansion for many years. He held as many as 60 slaves at the peak of the plantation operations. It was there he introduced the Hereford livestock breed to the United States. By the time of his death, his only surviving sons were James Brown Clay and John Morrison Clay, and they inherited the estate. For several years (1866–1878), the mansion was used as a residence for the regent of Kentucky University, forerunner of the University of Kentucky and present-day Transylvania University. John Clay designated his portion as Ashland Stud. Later the mansion and estate were rebuilt and remodeled by other heirs. Maintained and operated as a museum, Ashland includes 17 acres (6.9 ha) of the original estate grounds and is located on Richmond Road (US 25) in Lexington. It is open to the public (admission charged).
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Happy 234th Birthday!!!!
Henry Clay, Sr. (April 12, 1777 – June 29, 1852), was a 19th-century American planter, statesman and orator who represented Kentucky in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, where he served as Speaker. He also served as Secretary of State from 1825 to 1829. Henry Clay Elementary School in the Hegewisch neighborhood in Chicago. Ashland Ave. in Chicago, Illinois, in honor of his estate. Henry Clay is credited with introducing the mint julep drink to Washington, D.C., at the Willard Hotel during his residence as a senator in the city. He was a dominant figure in both the First and Second Party systems. As a leading war hawk, he favored war with Britain and played a significant role in leading the nation to war in 1812. He was the foremost proponent of the American System, fighting for an increase in tariffs to foster industry in the United States, the use of federal funding to build and maintain infrastructure, and a strong national bank. He opposed the annexation of Texas, fearing it would inject the slavery issue into politics. Clay also opposed the Mexican-American War and the "Manifest Destiny" policy of Democrats, which cost him votes in the close 1844 election. Dubbed the "Great Compromiser," he brokered important compromises during the Nullification Crisis and on the slavery issue, especially in 1820 and 1850, during which he was part of the "Great Triumvirate" or "Immortal Trio," along with his colleagues Daniel Webster and John C. Calhoun. He was viewed as the primary representative of Western interests in this group, and was given the names "Henry of the West" and "The Western Star." In 1957, a Senate Committee selected Clay as one of the five greatest U.S. Senators, along with Daniel Webster, John C. Calhoun, Robert La Follette, and Robert Taft. Abraham Lincoln, Whig leader in Illinois, was a great admirer of Clay, saying he was "my ideal of a great man." Lincoln wholeheartedly supported Clay's economic programs. Clay continued to serve both the Union he loved and his home state of Kentucky until June 29, 1852, when he died of tuberculosis in Washington, D.C., at the age of 75. Clay was the first person to lie in state in the United States Capitol. He was buried in Lexington Cemetery, and the eulogy was provided by Theodore Frelinghuysen, who ran as Clay's vice-presidential candidate in the election of 1844. Clay's headstone reads simply: "I know no North — no South — no East — no West." The 1852 pro-slavery novel Life at the South; or, "Uncle Tom's Cabin" As It Is by W.L.G. Smith is dedicated to Clay's memory. Ashland, named for the many ash trees on the property, was his plantation and mansion for many years. He held as many as 60 slaves at the peak of the plantation operations. It was there he introduced the Hereford livestock breed to the United States. By the time of his death, his only surviving sons were James Brown Clay and John Morrison Clay, and they inherited the estate. For several years (1866–1878), the mansion was used as a residence for the regent of Kentucky University, forerunner of the University of Kentucky and present-day Transylvania University. John Clay designated his portion as Ashland Stud. Later the mansion and estate were rebuilt and remodeled by other heirs. Maintained and operated as a museum, Ashland includes 17 acres (6.9 ha) of the original estate grounds and is located on Richmond Road (US 25) in Lexington. It is open to the public (admission charged).
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