Henry Clay to William Jarvis regarding the presidential election and the nullification controversy - American History 1493-1945 - Adam Matthew Digital

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Field name	Value
Collection Reference Number	GLC03307
From Archive Folder	Documents Relating to 1833
Title	Henry Clay to William Jarvis regarding the presidential election and the nullification controversy
Date	3 August 1833
Author	Clay, Henry (1777-1852)
Recipient	Jarvis, William
Document Type	Correspondence
Content Description	Written as Senator from Kentucky. Clay blames the rise of nullification on the "triumph of Gen. [Andrew] Jackson over Mr. [John Quincy] Adams in 1828, alludes to the dangers of the nullification controversy, and highlights his role in effecting a congressional compromise to prevent bloodshed. Clay writes that if he had not compromised he feared the "entire destruction" of the American system of tariffs or a "Civil War." Hopes that manufacturing will not be hurt by the "Compromise" but feels that the bill was fair to both sides of the dispute. Concludes by stating, " ... it should now be the effort of all to maintain unviolated the conditions of the Compromise."
Subjects	American Statesmen Nullification Politics Government and Civics US Constitution Election President Congress Taxes or Taxation Finance Industry Commerce Economics
People	Clay, Henry (1777-1852) Jarvis, William (1770-1859)
Place written	Ashland, Kentucky
Theme	Industry; The Presidency; Government & Politics; Merchants & Commerce
Sub-collection	The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859
Additional Information	Jarvis was a U. S. Consul to Portugal, international trader, and Vermont farmer. He was also an ardent supporter of the protective tariffs.
Copyright	The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module	Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859
Transcript	Show/hide Ashland 3 d. Aug. 1833. Dear Sir Mr. Wheeler of N. York informs me that you were unapprized of the fate of a piece of black broad cloth which you had the goodness to forward through his care to me. After my return home from Congress, I safely received it here. I have reserved it for a suit of Cloathis [sic] which I mean to wear the ensuing winter. The material and the manufacture are both excellent; and I pray you to be assured that I received, with grateful feelings, this testimonial of your friendly sentiments. I deeply regretted the state of things which appeared to me to call for the measure of Compromise adopted at the last session. It was a state of things mainly produced, in my opinion, by the triumph of Genl. Jackson over Mr. Adams in 1828. To that event are to be attributed the origin and progress of the spirit of Nullification in the South, which was victorious in Georgia, because it coincided with the sentiments of Genl. Jackson, and failed in South Carolina, because it was opposed to his vindictive passions. My opinions about the American System are totally unchanged; but I distinctly saw that if nothing were done to preserve it at the last Session, we should, at the next, witness its entire destruction or a Civil War. There was a concurrence of favorable circumstances, to avert both calamites, and I endeavored to avail the Country of it. I sincerely hope that the successful progress of our manufactures may not be checked by the operation of the Compromise. Judging from what I have seen and heard they have not been injured. I think the Bill provides a full compensation for the diminished rate of duty at which it ultimately arrives; and that it should now be the effort of all to maintain unviolated the conditions of the Compromise. With great respect I am Your obt. Servt. The Honble Wm. Jarvis H. Clay [written on the left margin:] P.S. I think I addressed a letter to you acknowledging the receipt of the Cloth; but if I did it miscarried. H.C. [docket:] Henry Clay. / 3. August 1833.

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