Lot 80
Important Free Frank letter from Henry Clay to Thomas Helm of Stanford, KY. Letter, signed by Henry Clay, dated 1833 and written from the Ashland estate. Containing the original envelope with Clay’s “free frank” signature and remnants of original wax seal. Provenance, Martha Bell Jackson Household, Danville, KY. Mrs. Jackson was the great-great-granddaughter of Thomas Helm through his daughter Mary Montgomery Helm Bell, wife of Joshua Fry Bell. The practice of sending letters and documents by “free frank” started with the nation itself in 1789. This privilege entitled government officials to mail correspondence for free to better communicate with their constituents, requiring the official to carefully sign their names, or “the frank,” in the upper right corner where postage would normally be placed. This handwritten signature method was used in the years before the Civil War, afterwards replaced with rubber stamps. Rampant misuse of the privilege by politicians led to the abolishment of the practice in 1873. Two years later the service began again with exceptions until a full restoration was made in 1891. The letter’s recipient Thomas Helm (1785-1865) served the dual roles of county and circuit clerk for Lincoln County (Kentucky) from 1810-1851 and in 1832 was appointed a commissioner to develop plans for a new courthouse. According to "A History of Kentucky and Kentuckians" by E. Polk Johnson (The Lewis Publishing Company, 1912), Helm “was one of the promoters and builders of the early system of turnpike roads in Lincoln county, including the Wilderness road, from Louisville to Cumberland Gap, being the first improved road to traverse Lincoln County.” This interest by Helm would solidify a connection to Clay, the main proponent of the “American System” of turnpikes, canals, and other infrastructure to improve American markets. A testament to their close relationship, Helm named a son Henry Clay Helm. A letter between Thomas Helm and Clay is now part of the collection of the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. The connection between Helm and Clay is important as the content of this letter speaks to a county clerk running elections, which could be interpreted improperly given Clay’s position. Further, the subject of the letter referred to as Mr. Letcher, was Robert P. Letcher, an important figure for Clay. Letcher was a member of Congress during the 1824 presidential election. When no candidate received a majority, the decision went to the House of Representatives, and Letcher, who served as the intermediary between Clay and John Quincy Adams. The outcome of this of course was later termed “the corrupt bargain” as Adams rose to the Presidency. In exchange for stepping aside, Clay was named Secretary of State. Letcher continued his career in the House until 1833 as a member of the Anti-Jacksonian Party, opposing Clay’s nemesis Andrew Jackson. The same year this letter was written, Clay introduced the Compromise of 1833 to the Senate, Letcher introduced Clay’s bill to the House to resolve the Nullification Crisis of 1832. Concerning this letter, the congressional districts were redrawn for the election of 1833 and Letcher had not previously been serving Lincoln County. Clay must have felt the need to reach out to a constituent involved in order to stress the importance of his success. Clay’s instincts were right and in an extremely close vote, the House refused to seat a winner and ordered a new election. Letcher would go on to lose to Thomas P. Moore, however he would serve again later in the House, before becoming Kentucky’s 15th Governor in 1840.
Transcription:
Ashland, 20th April, 1833 (Confidential)
Dear Sir
The elections yet to take place of members to the H. of R. are very important and may have great influence on the public interests. More of Kentucky should engage all our … . I think that the re charter of the Bank of the U.S. is not to be … (desposed, dispensed?) of, but the (effect?) of that measure will depend much upon the character of the members to be chosen. I regret to perceive that a decision is likely to take place in your district among our friends. I consider the re-election of Mr. Letcher is a point of the first importance. No man in the H. of R. proffer any thing like the (?) personal influence like he does. That consideration, connected with his long experience, and his personal knowledge of men and measures, recommends him to the strongest manner to the people of your district. You have several gentlemen that would make highly respectable members. I mean to say nothing to disparage them, but only that I should regard Mr. Letcher’s withdrawal from Congress as furnishing just occasion for deep regret. I have thought that, whilst I am aware that it does not belong to me to influence in your election, I might without impropriety express these sentiments to you knowing that you would justly appreciate them. With great respect I am your Ob. Serv.. H Clay
Thanks to Bill Meng for his research and description of this lot and to Eric Brooks for his identification of the source of the attached steel engraving from the frontispiece of George Prentice's
Biography of Henry Clay
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