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[[image:henryclay.jpg|200px|thumb|Henry Clay]]

[[image:henryclay.jpg|200px|thumb|Henry Clay]]

'''Henry Clay''' (April 12, 1777 – June 29, 1852) was one of the half-dozen most important American leaders in the 1812-1850 era, running three times for president, and losing each time. He represented the West--his state of [[Kentucky]]--in House and Senate, and founded and dominated the [[Whig Party]] during the [[Second Party System]]. Clay led the opposition to [[Andrew Jackson]], [[Martin Van Buren]], [[James Knox Polk]]  and [[Jacksonian Democracy]]. He is called the "Great Compromiser" for his leadership that prevented the slavery issue from ripping the nation apart in the [[Missouri Compromise]] in 1820, the [[Nullification Crisis]] in 1832, and the [[Compromise of 1850]]. His ideas greatly influenced [[Abraham Lincoln]] and the [[Republican Party]], which emerged after his death and promoted his ideas of national greatness through industry, banking and modernization.   

'''Henry Clay''' (April 12, 1777 – June 29, 1852) was one of the half-dozen most important American leaders in the 1812-1850 era, running three times for president, and losing each time. He represented the West—his state of [[Kentucky]]—in House and Senate, and founded and dominated the [[Whig Party]] during the [[Second Party System]]. Clay led the opposition to [[Andrew Jackson]], [[Martin Van Buren]], [[James Knox Polk]]  and [[Jacksonian Democracy]]. He is called the "Great Compromiser" for his leadership that prevented the slavery issue from ripping the nation apart in the [[Missouri Compromise]] in 1820, the [[Nullification Crisis]] in 1832, and the [[Compromise of 1850]]. His ideas greatly influenced [[Abraham Lincoln]] and the [[Republican Party]], which emerged after his death and promoted his ideas of national greatness through industry, banking and modernization.   

Clay's economic goal was the modernization of the American economy, based on cities, railroads, factories, banks, and well-educated middle class entrepreneurs, in opposition to the Jacksonians who opposed modernization and wanted instead more western farms for their yeoman farmers.  Clay opposed "[[Manifest Destiny]]", geographical expansion and the [[Mexican War]]. Clay is considered (along with [[Daniel Webster]]) the leading conservative of his age, even though he was often defeated by the [[Jacksonian Democracy|Jacksonian liberals]].  

Clay's economic goal was the modernization of the American economy, based on cities, railroads, factories, banks, and well-educated middle class entrepreneurs, in opposition to the Jacksonians who opposed modernization and wanted instead more western farms for their yeoman farmers.  Clay opposed "[[Manifest Destiny]]", geographical expansion and the [[Mexican War]]. Clay is considered (along with [[Daniel Webster]]) the leading conservative of his age, even though he was often defeated by the [[Jacksonian Democracy|Jacksonian liberals]].  

==Origins==

==Origins==

His father, a [[Baptist]] minister, died when Clay was four; the boy was limited to three years of country schooling. In 1791, when his mother remarried, the family moved to [[Richmond]], where Clay spent a year clerking in a store and then became a copyist for the High Court of Chancery. He later became secretary and protégé of Chancellor George Wythe--the first professor of law in America and a co-author of the [[Constitution]]. During 1796 Clay studied law with the attorney general of [[Virginia]], and in 1797 was admitted to the bar. Although well-connected in Richmond, he decided to move west, where opportunities seemed greater. In 1803 he moved to the growing city of [[Lexington, Kentucky]], the center of the rich [[bluegrass]] region with an economy based on horses, hemp, tobacco, and farming. Clay soon won recognition as a criminal lawyer and specialist in land cases; he became wealthy from fees, business operations, and land speculation. His marriage in April 1799 to Lucretia Hart united him with a prominent family. Clay had a warm, likable personality. He enjoyed a happy home life at Ashland, his plantation, where he bred livestock; he introduced Herefords into Kentucky from [[England]], improved the strains of mules, and bred race horses.

His father, a [[Baptist]] minister, died when Clay was four; the boy was limited to three years of country schooling. In 1791, when his mother remarried, the family moved to [[Richmond]], where Clay spent a year clerking in a store and then became a copyist for the High Court of Chancery. He later became secretary and protégé of Chancellor George Wythe—the first professor of law in America and a co-author of the [[Constitution]]. During 1796 Clay studied law with the attorney general of [[Virginia]], and in 1797 was admitted to the bar. Although well-connected in Richmond, he decided to move west, where opportunities seemed greater. In 1803 he moved to the growing city of [[Lexington, Kentucky]], the center of the rich [[bluegrass]] region with an economy based on horses, hemp, tobacco, and farming. Clay soon won recognition as a criminal lawyer and specialist in land cases; he became wealthy from fees, business operations, and land speculation. His marriage in April 1799 to Lucretia Hart united him with a prominent family. Clay had a warm, likable personality. He enjoyed a happy home life at Ashland, his plantation, where he bred livestock; he introduced Herefords into Kentucky from [[England]], improved the strains of mules, and bred race horses.

==Kentucky leader==

==Kentucky leader==

==Political career==

==Political career==

Clay had an unusually long legislative career, serving in the state legislature, in the U.S. Senate (1806-7, 1809-10, 1831-42, 1849-52), and U.S. House (1811-21, 1823-25, Speaker 1811-20 and 1823-25). He was a leader of the [[Jeffersonian Republicans]] until the party collapsed in the mid-1820s. He tried to create the "National Republican Party" (in 1828), then threw his energies into a new national [[Whig party]].

Clay had an unusually long legislative career, serving in the state legislature, in the U.S. Senate (1806-7, 1809–10, 1831–42, 1849-52), and U.S. House (1811–21, 1823–25, Speaker 1811-20 and 1823–25). He was a leader of the [[Jeffersonian Republicans]] until the party collapsed in the mid-1820s. He tried to create the "National Republican Party" (in 1828), then threw his energies into a new national [[Whig party]].

===[[War of 1812]]===

===[[War of 1812]]===

Clay won election to the House of Representatives, taking his seat in 1811. His personality and skill in oratory had given him authority in Washington; Clay was promptly elected speaker, and by his unprecedented energy and competence gave the office a new significance. He was elected to the post six times, never meeting serious opposition.

Clay won election to the House of Representatives, taking his seat in 1811. His personality and skill in oratory had given him authority in Washington; Clay was promptly elected speaker, and by his unprecedented energy and competence gave the office a new significance. He was elected to the post six times, never meeting serious opposition.

Clay in 1811 became the leader of the "[[War Hawks]]," a combination of Westerners and Southerners that included [[Felix Grundy]] of Kentucky and [[John C. Calhoun]] of South Carolina. Displaying aggressive nationalism at a time Britain and France were at war, they were outraged by Great Britain's refusal to permit American trade with France, and its impressment of American seamen into the British navy. Kentuckians resented what it considered British influence among western Indians, which turned to massacre settlers on the American frontiersmen. Clay boasted that the Kentucky militia alone could seize Montreal and Upper Canada and so settle all frontier problems. As speaker of the House, he appointed "War Hawks" to key committees and supported President [[James Madison]] demands for war (the [[War of 1812]]) with Great Britain. The House and Senate declared war in June, after stormy debates, which showed New England strongly opposed the war. During the ensuing hostilities--which were made more difficult by the noncooperation of New England [[Federalists]], who felt that Madison had foisted an unwanted war on them--Clay's appeals for patriotism and fortitude were a source of strength to the administration.

Clay in 1811 became the leader of the "[[War Hawks]]," a combination of Westerners and Southerners that included [[Felix Grundy]] of Kentucky and [[John C. Calhoun]] of South Carolina. Displaying aggressive nationalism at a time Britain and France were at war, they were outraged by Great Britain's refusal to permit American trade with France, and its impressment of American seamen into the British navy. Kentuckians resented what it considered British influence among western Indians, which turned to massacre settlers on the American frontiersmen. Clay boasted that the Kentucky militia alone could seize Montreal and Upper Canada and so settle all frontier problems. As speaker of the House, he appointed "War Hawks" to key committees and supported President [[James Madison]] demands for war (the [[War of 1812]]) with Great Britain. The House and Senate declared war in June, after stormy debates, which showed New England strongly opposed the war. During the ensuing hostilities—which were made more difficult by the noncooperation of New England [[Federalists]], who felt that Madison had foisted an unwanted war on them—Clay's appeals for patriotism and fortitude were a source of strength to the administration.

In 1814 he was at Ghent with the American delegation, which

In 1814 he was at Ghent with the American delegation, which

36°30'.

36°30'.

===Land issue===

===Land issue===

Van Atta (2004) shows that the [[Panic of 1819]] and the ensuing economic depression helped shape the public lands policy proposed in Clay's American System. To achieve stability in the West, Clay favored land prices low enough for men of average means yet sufficiently high to protect the region from undesirable emigrants and to maintain the supply of workers needed by manufacturers. In opposing the transfer of public lands to control by the states, Clay advocated congressional distribution of public land proceeds to the states for use toward education, internal improvements, and colonization. Despite the failure of his land bills in 1832 and 1833, Clay articulated what became the Whig party position on public land issues.  From the very first Clay wanted to include the newly independent Spanish American states in his system. As early as 1818 Clay indicated that the system of political democracy and commercial freedom should operate throughout the hemisphere, while tariffs could protect the Americas from further entanglements with Europe. Although the declaration of the Monroe Doctrine in 1823 fulfilled the political aspects of the system, Southerners in Congress were able to obstruct Clay's continued attempts to establish its commercial policies. Nor was he any more successful as Secretary of State from 1825 to 1829. Yet Clay is still considered by many to have been the first North American Pan-Americanist.<ref> Campbell (1967)</ref>  

Van Atta (2004) shows that the [[Panic of 1819]] and the ensuing economic depression helped shape the public lands policy proposed in Clay's American System. To achieve stability in the West, Clay favored land prices low enough for men of average means yet sufficiently high to protect the region from undesirable emigrants and to maintain the supply of workers needed by manufacturers. In opposing the transfer of public lands to control by the states, Clay advocated congressional distribution of public land proceeds to the states for use toward education, internal improvements, and colonization. Despite the failure of his land bills in 1832 and 1833, Clay articulated what became the Whig party position on public land issues.  From the very first Clay wanted to include the newly independent Spanish American states in his system. As early as 1818 Clay indicated that the system of political democracy and commercial freedom should operate throughout the hemisphere, while tariffs could protect the Americas from further entanglements with Europe. Although the declaration of the Monroe Doctrine in 1823 fulfilled the political aspects of the system, Southerners in Congress were able to obstruct Clay's continued attempts to establish its commercial policies. Nor was he any more successful as Secretary of State from 1825 to 1829. Yet Clay is still considered by many to have been the first North American Pan-Americanist.<ref>Campbell (1967)</ref>  

A leader of the Jeffersonian Republican party, he was defeated for president in 1824. He was Secretary of State under [[John Quincy Adams]] (1825-29).  [[Andrew Jackson]] accused Clay and Adams of a "corrupt bargain" to elect Adams instead of Jackson in 1824. Clay and Jackson became bitter enemies, and Jackson defeated him for the presidency in 1832.  

A leader of the Jeffersonian Republican party, he was defeated for president in 1824. He was Secretary of State under [[John Quincy Adams]] (1825–29).  [[Andrew Jackson]] accused Clay and Adams of a "corrupt bargain" to elect Adams instead of Jackson in 1824. Clay and Jackson became bitter enemies, and Jackson defeated him for the presidency in 1832.  

===Forming the Whig Party===

===Forming the Whig Party===

==Compromise of 1850==

==Compromise of 1850==

[[Image:Henry-clay5.jpg|thumb|420px|Clay appeals for compromise in the Senate, 1850]] In 1849 Clay returned to the Senate in a last effort to modify the influence of the increasing numbers of extremists, Northern and Southern. His [[Compromise of 1850]] was intended to satisfy both sections, brought California into the Union as a free state, ended the slave trade in Washington DC (but did not abolish slavery there), and included other provisions intended to balance Southern and Northern interests. Its most controversial provision, the [[Fugitive Slave Law]], would have guaranteed slaveholders the return of their runaways and thus presumably have done away with the root of sectional differences. Clay hoped that this, his last and greatest compromise, would forever prevent a civil war. Alongside Clay in the Senate were the other two of the great triumvirate which had dominated American politics for more than thirty years.<ref> Peterson 1987</ref> The dying [[John C. Calhoun]] demanded for the South what was in effect equality with the federal government. [[Daniel Webster]], on the other hand, joined with Clay in his famous Seventh of March address and pleaded for an end to sectional strife. Clay was unable to get his compromise passed but Democrat [[Stephen A. Douglas]] unpackaged the compromise so that each component was passed by a different coalition.  The compromise effectively postponed war for another decade, but Clay did not live to see the collapse of his Whig party after it lost the 1852 elections.

[[Image:Henry-clay5.jpg|thumb|420px|Clay appeals for compromise in the Senate, 1850]] In 1849 Clay returned to the Senate in a last effort to modify the influence of the increasing numbers of extremists, Northern and Southern. His [[Compromise of 1850]] was intended to satisfy both sections, brought California into the Union as a free state, ended the slave trade in Washington DC (but did not abolish slavery there), and included other provisions intended to balance Southern and Northern interests. Its most controversial provision, the [[Fugitive Slave Law]], would have guaranteed slaveholders the return of their runaways and thus presumably have done away with the root of sectional differences. Clay hoped that this, his last and greatest compromise, would forever prevent a civil war. Alongside Clay in the Senate were the other two of the great triumvirate which had dominated American politics for more than thirty years.<ref>Peterson 1987</ref> The dying [[John C. Calhoun]] demanded for the South what was in effect equality with the federal government. [[Daniel Webster]], on the other hand, joined with Clay in his famous Seventh of March address and pleaded for an end to sectional strife. Clay was unable to get his compromise passed but Democrat [[Stephen A. Douglas]] unpackaged the compromise so that each component was passed by a different coalition.  The compromise effectively postponed war for another decade, but Clay did not live to see the collapse of his Whig party after it lost the 1852 elections.

===Legacy===

===Legacy===

He died in Washington on June 29, 1852. Clay lacked Webster's powerful logic and learning and Calhoun's cast-iron principles, but he was equal to both men in national power and he outranked them in the affection he inspired. Although his program of compromise suffered a loss of prestige during the secessionist crisis, it was renewed in the vision of one of his admirers: Abraham Lincoln called his fellow Kentuckian "my beau ideal of a statesman, the man for whom I fought all my humble life."<ref> Mark E. Neely, Jr. "American Nationalism in the Image of Henry Clay: Abraham Lincoln's Eulogy on Henry Clay in Context." ''Register of the Kentucky Historical Society'' 1975 73(1): 31-61. </ref>

He died in Washington on June 29, 1852. Clay lacked Webster's powerful logic and learning and Calhoun's cast-iron principles, but he was equal to both men in national power and he outranked them in the affection he inspired. Although his program of compromise suffered a loss of prestige during the secessionist crisis, it was renewed in the vision of one of his admirers: Abraham Lincoln called his fellow Kentuckian "my beau ideal of a statesman, the man for whom I fought all my humble life."<ref>Mark E. Neely, Jr. "American Nationalism in the Image of Henry Clay: Abraham Lincoln's Eulogy on Henry Clay in Context." ''Register of the Kentucky Historical Society'' 1975 73(1): 31-61.</ref>

==Bibliography==

==Bibliography==

* Gammon,  Samuel R. ''The Presidential Campaign of 1832'' (1922)] [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=58576510 online version]

* Gammon,  Samuel R. ''The Presidential Campaign of 1832'' (1922)] [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=58576510 online version]

* Holt, Michael F. ''The Rise and Fall of the American Whig Party: Jacksonian Politics and the Onset of the Civil War'' (1999) the standard history (over 1000 pages) [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=99173945 online version]

* Holt, Michael F. ''The Rise and Fall of the American Whig Party: Jacksonian Politics and the Onset of the Civil War'' (1999) the standard history (over 1000 pages) [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=99173945 online version]

* Knupfer, Peter B. "Compromise and Statesmanship: Henry Clay’s Union." in Knupfer, ''The Union As It Is: Constitutional Unionism and Sectional Compromise, 1787-1861'' (1991), pp. 119-57.

* Knupfer, Peter B. "Compromise and Statesmanship: Henry Clay’s Union." in Knupfer, ''The Union As It Is: Constitutional Unionism and Sectional Compromise, 1787-1861'' (1991), pp.&nbsp;119–57.

* Mayo, Bernard. ''Henry Clay, Spokesman of the West'' (1937)

* Mayo, Bernard. ''Henry Clay, Spokesman of the West'' (1937)

* Morrison, Michael A. "Westward the Curse of Empire: Texas Annexation and the American Whig Party." ''Journal of the Early Republic'' (1990) 10(2): 221-249. Issn: 0275-1275 Fulltext: in Jstor  

* Morrison, Michael A. "Westward the Curse of Empire: Texas Annexation and the American Whig Party." ''Journal of the Early Republic'' (1990) 10(2): 221-249. Issn: 0275-1275 Fulltext: in Jstor  

* Strahan, Randall; Moscardelli, Vincent G.; Haspel, Moshe; and Wike, Richard S. "The Clay Speakership Revisited" ''Polity'' 2000 32(4): 561-593. ISSN 0032-3497 [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0032-3497(200022)32%3A4%3C561%3ATCSR%3E2.0.CO%3B2-9 in JSTOR]  

* Strahan, Randall; Moscardelli, Vincent G.; Haspel, Moshe; and Wike, Richard S. "The Clay Speakership Revisited" ''Polity'' 2000 32(4): 561-593. ISSN 0032-3497 [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0032-3497(200022)32%3A4%3C561%3ATCSR%3E2.0.CO%3B2-9 in JSTOR]  

* Strahan, Randall. ''Leading Representatives: The Agency of Leaders in the Politics of the U.S. House'' (2007)

* Strahan, Randall. ''Leading Representatives: The Agency of Leaders in the Politics of the U.S. House'' (2007)

* Van Atta, John R. "Western Lands and the Political Economy of Henry Clay's American System, 1819-1832." ''Journal of the Early Republic'' 2001 21(4): 633-665. Issn: 0275-1275 [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0275-1275(200124)21%3A4%3C633%3AWLATPE%3E2.0.CO%3B2-X in  Jstor]]  

* Van Atta, John R. "Western Lands and the Political Economy of Henry Clay's American System, 1819-1832." ''Journal of the Early Republic'' 2001 21(4): 633-665. Issn: 0275-1275 [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0275-1275(200124)21%3A4%3C633%3AWLATPE%3E2.0.CO%3B2-X in  Jstor]  

* Van Deusen, Glyndon G. ''The Life of Henry Clay'' (1937)

* Van Deusen, Glyndon G. ''The Life of Henry Clay'' (1937)

* Watson, Harry L.  ed. ''Andrew Jackson vs. Henry Clay: Democracy and Development in Antebellum America'' (1998) brief collection of readings

* Watson, Harry L.  ed. ''Andrew Jackson vs. Henry Clay: Democracy and Development in Antebellum America'' (1998) brief collection of readings

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