LS signed “H. Clay,” one page both sides, 7.75 x 9.75, February 21, 1852. Letter to three congressmen, declining an “invitation to the Congressional Banquet in honor of the birth day of Washington.” In part: “I ardently hope that the birth day of that Great Man may continue to be celebrated whilst time endures. But there seems to me to be a peculiar fitness of giving at the present time extraordinary eclat to the commemoration of the day. We have seen great principles laid down by him for the administration of this Government, especially in regard to its foreign policy, drawn in question, his wisdom doubted, and serious efforts made and making to subvert those maxims of policy by the conformity to which this nation has risen to its present unparalleled greatness. We have seen serious attempts to induce the United States to depart from his great principles of peace and neutrality of avoiding all entangling alliances with foreign powers and of confining ourselves to the growth, improvement and prosperity of our new country, and in place of them, to plunge ourselves by perilous proceedings and insensible degrees in the wars of Europe. Under such circumstances it is right and proper and useful to repair to the great fountain of Washington; patriotism and drinking deep at it to return refreshed and invigorated by the draught.” Intersecting folds, scattered foxing and soiling, and moderate show-through from writing to opposing sides, otherwise fine condition. Pre-certified PSA/DNA.
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