[Henry Clay] James B. Clay Settles His Father's Estates, with Three Partial Envelopes

1p of a bifolium, measuring 4.5" x 7", Near St. Louis, dated February 24, 1853. Signed "James B Clay" and addressed to Nicholas Dean Esq., written almost a year after Henry Clay's death. James Clay writes about his property near St. Louis and his plans to return to his home in Ashland. The letter reads in full:

"I received yesterday your kind favor of the 13th inst., expressing a desire to send to me a copy of the volume published by your City giving an account of its proceedings in honor of my Father. I did not supposed that so unimportant a matter as my care of the property near St. Louis would have reached your ear; you are however perfectly right in your supposition in that I am about to change my residence. I write in the midst of all sorts of preparations for my return to Ashland. It was for the purpose of enabling me to do so, that the sale you refer to was made, and I trust that the son of your old friend, who honors you & loves you for the devotion so constantly exhibited towards his father may some day have the great pleasure to welcome you to his fathers old home. Mrs. Clay desires to be kindly remembered to you." The letter is accompanied by the original envelope, postmarked February 24. There is also a clipped envelope address page postmarked January 4, 1853, and a partial verso of an envelope with a complete red wax seal, marked "H.C." The letter has flattened mail folds, with some separations starting at the folds and edges. Boldly signed. Wear, soiling, chipping, and paper loss to all of the envelopes.

Henry Clay had died June 29, 1852, and this letter was likely written as James settled his father's estate. James Brown Clay was born November 9, 1817 in Washington, DC, while his father was serving in the U.S. Congress. He had been a lifelong Whig, but when the party disintegrated following his father's death, he joined the Democratic party and served as a Democratic Representative from Kentucky in the U.S. House of Representatives. He held several other government positions before his untimely death at age 46, after suffering from tuberculosis.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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