Lot 463
Clay, Henry (1777-1852) "The Great Compromiser," Clay authored both the Missouri Compromise and the Compromise of 1850. Secretary of State under John Adams, he was twice the Whig candidate for President, but lost to Andrew Jackson and James K. Polk.
Autograph Document Signed ("H Clay"). One page, 7¾ x 3½", Lexington, Kentucky, January 1, 1846. Being a promissory note for the hire of a slave. Docketed on verso. Minor age toning, some fraying at edges, four vertical and one horizontal folds, six pinhole size areas of paper loss, a large "X", with the word "Paid" next to it, has been drawn over the text, but the signature is not affected. In very good to good condition.
A very interesting document. "On or before the 1st day of January 1847 I promise to pay to Spencer Graves…Ninety Dollars for the hire of a negro man named Moses -- the ensuing year, and bind myself to furnish him the customary clothing to pay his tax and doctor bill -- If the negro dies during the year the said hire is to be paid in proportion to the time he serves only. H. Clay." Like many of his class and political leanings, Clay believed that slavery was wrong but continued to use slaves on his own plantation. Believing the answer to the "slavery question" was gradual emancipation and the repatriation of freed slaves to Africa, he served many years as President of the American Colonization Society. A remnant of the entwined histories of one of our most respected leaders and our most hated institution.
Estimated Value $1,250 - 1,500.
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