to a most unequal encounter. Its establishment was a public and widely resounding challenge to the slaveholding oligarchy, to come forward and defend their cause by argument, to surrender it as no longer justifiable, and see their cherished structure crumble and dissolve beneath their feet, or to crush their antagonist by mob violence and brutal force. They chose, most fittingly, the last alternative; organized a mob through the instrumentality of a mass meeting, broke into the American office while the editor lay dangerously sick at his dwelling, took down his press, types, etc., packed them up, and sent them out of the State. This, it was supposed, put a quietus on the paper, and on anti-slavery discussion within the Slave States.

They miscalculated, for C. M. Clay still lived. He recovered from his illness, and promptly made arrangements for resuming his regular issues. They were henceforth printed at Cincinnati, but published at Lexington (where the editor still resided), and continued for months to expose and combat the evils of slavery, without bating one jot of heart or hope, of plainness or pungency. The paper was finally discontinued, during and in consequence of the editor's long absence in Mexico. He had intended to issue it regularly till its successor was established, but in the absence of any tidings from him, his agent decided to stop it. But its place was speedily taken by "THE EXAMINER," published at Louisville, Kentucky, and edited with great ability and tact by JOHN C. VAUGHAN, a prized associate of Mr. Clay in conducting the "True American." Since then, "THE NATIONAL ERA," another distinctively anti-slavery paper, edited with much power by DR. G. BAILEY, has been established at Washington City, whence it is largely and widely disseminated. And finally, the award by a Kentucky Court, of two thousand five hundred dollars damages to C. M. Clay, in an action brought by him against the leaders in the dismantling of his printing office, may be said to have settled the question of civil right and legal immunity, so that there is no longer a panoply for mob violence, either in the courts or in public opinion, and the Freedom of the Press stands fully vindicated and established. Of the struggle, which has resulted thus auspiciously, the hero is Cassius M. Clay.

The volume herewith presented is mainly important as a virtual history of this struggle. After a single preliminary essay, setting forth the basis of the author's conviction, that man, and thought, and utterance, should be truly and thoroughly free, his speeches and the residue of his writings are given very nearly in chronological order, so as to mark the gradual awakening of an ingenuous mind to a profound conviction of the unmixed and intense evils of slaveholding, and the utter flimsiness of all excuses for perpetuating that evil. Of course, the opinions expressed at one stage are not always consistent with those avowed at another; and no attempt has been

made to render them so. Nor has the editor deemed it within his province to suppress any sentiment of the author, because it differed from his own convictions; and though he has in one or two places given his own differing view in a foot-note, he has more commonly refrained even from this. It will of course be understood, without being expressly stated, that the editor's notions of war, of warriors, and of the obligation to support the country in injustice and rapacity, are not expressed in Mr. Clay's writings. With regard to the selection of a President, and on some other topics of a temporary interest, his views also differ widely from those of the author, as those who care for the opinions of either already well know; and the fact is noted here to forestall dishonest and tricky perversions. On the great, abiding principle, that freedom and opportunity for all are essential to the assured well-being of each, and that freedom of speech and of the press are conditions without which life would be hardly tolerable, genuine liberty wholly impossible, there is the most entire sympathy between them, and this sympathy has impelled the editor to his very subordinate part in the production of this work.

Yet I think the public will discern in the following pages something to esteem beyond noble sentiments and a self-sacrificing devotion to Right. Unless personal partiality has blinded me, there are passages and pages in Mr. Clay's writings which have rarely been excelled in vigor, in forecast, or in true eloquence. Of this, however, the public will impartially judge. That the whole will tend to awaken generous impulses in many hearts, and to ripen into action those already existing in others, is my earnest and confident hope. That it will prove to some the trumpet-call to the wide battle-field in which the liberties of mankind are now to be struggled for, is my cheering conviction.

New-York, May 1, 1848.

Error-page 20, first line of foot-note: For offered read opposed.

MEMOIR.

GREEN CLAY, was born in Powhattan County, Virginia, on the 14th of August, 1755. He was the son of Charles Clay, a descendant of John Clay, a British Grenadier, who came to Virginia during Bacon's Rebellion, and chose to settle there rather than return with the King's troops to England. He was understood to be of Welsh origin. The Clay family maintained a good standing in Virginia, and several brothers of Green were chosen to stations of responsibility. Matthew, who was remarkable for his personal attractions, was long a member of Congress from Virginia. Thomas was one of the framers of the first Constitution of Kentucky, in 1792. Green Clay, having been punished for some trivial offence, by his father, in a way which wounded his pride, left the paternal home, a minor, and determined to push his fortune in the West. He attended school but nine months in his life; yet during that time he learned to read, write, cypher, and acquired some notion of surveying. He was among the first white settlers of Kentucky. He found employment in the office of James Thompson, a licensed surveyor, was soon made a deputy, and became one of the first practical surveyors in the West. By entering lands on the shares, he laid the foundation of a very large fortune. He was successively chosen to fill several important stations, civil and military. He was a representative of the Kentucky district in the Virginia Legislature, and was a member of the Virginia Convention that ratified the present Federal Constitution, himself supporting and voting for the ratification. He was also a member of the Convention which, in 1799, framed the present Constitution of Kentucky, and subsequently represented Madison County at different times in either branch of the State Legislature. He bore an active and influential part in the politics and legislation of his time, and was widely esteemed for his ability, integrity and patriotism. Clay county was named in his honor by the Kentucky Legislature.

On the breaking out of the last war with Great Britain, Green Clay was among the large number of Kentuckians who rallied around their country's standard, and in May, 1813, he advanced at the head of 3,000 volunteers to the relief of Gen. Harrison, then besieged in Fort Meigs. Cutting his way, through the enemy's lines, the British and Indians were forced to retire after this accession of strength. Gen. Harrison reposed the utmost confidence in General Clay, and left him in command of Fort Meigs. In the autumn of that year, the fort was again invested by 1,500 British troops, under Proctor, and 5,000 Indians, led by Tecumseh, but they made no impression, and were soon obliged to raise the siege and decamp. For the gallantry and good conduct of this defence, Gen. Harrison rendered, by special order, thanks to Gen. Clay. Gen. C., admonished by his advancing years and increasing cares, declined public life after the close of the war, and died on the 31st of October, 1826, in the 72d year of his age.

CASSIUS MARCELLUS CLAY, the youngest of seven children of Green Clay

* See Collins's Kentucky, 1847, Art. Clay County.