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Story
October 31, 1828
Phenix Gazette
Alexandria, Virginia
What is this article about?
Henry Clay refutes a false accusation from Opposition papers that he bought and enslaved a free-born Pennsylvanian named Jerry. In his 1828 letter, Clay explains purchasing the remainder of Jerry's indentured servitude in 1824 with consent, and that Jerry will be freed per Pennsylvania laws.
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ANOTHER CALUMNY EXPLODED.
The Opposition papers have been busily circulating a story, ridiculously false on the face of it, of Mr. Clay's having bought a free man in Pennsylvania and made a slave of him. Since Mr. Clay has condescended to notice it, we copy his Letter for the information of all who desire information on the subject.
[National Intelligencer.]
From the Washington (Pa.) Reporter.
Washington, 4th Oct. 1828.
My Dear Sir: I received your favor of the 29th ult. respecting the charge of my having purchased a negro, a free born Pennsylvanian, and now holding him in illegal bondage. I presume the allusion is to my purchase of Jerry, copies of the papers respecting which are enclosed.
Jerry came to me at Wheeling, with the agent entrusted to sell him, in the Summer of 1824, when I was on my return to Kentucky, and entreated me to buy the remainder of the time of his servitude. I was informed that his mistress was resolved to sell him, for some cause which I do not now distinctly recollect and he was apprehensive of being sold to some person of whom he entertained a less favorable opinion than of me. I accordingly purchased him, and received the Bill of sale, of which a copy is enclosed. The certificate of the two Justices of Washington county (of which a copy is also enclosed) was shewn to, and left with me.
In the Summer of 1825, my son in-law, Mr. Jas. Erwin, having purchased some of my improved breeds of cattle and horses, wished to have Jerry to conduct them to his farm. I accordingly let him have Jerry with his consent, stipulating in his behalf that Mr. Erwin should pay him $5 when he becomes free, of which a memo. is now before me. I saw Mr. Erwin a few weeks ago, and he informed me that Jerry was well contented, and happy.
I purchased the boy not merely with his own consent, but upon his earnest solicitation. I parted from him with his consent, and he is now held, in conformity of the laws of Pennsylvania as I understood them. He will be free at the age prescribed by these laws.
In the mean time; he is a more respectable and useful man than the editor of the paper which you sent me; for he is no calumniator.
I am, with great regard, your obedient servant,
H. CLAY.
Thomas M'Griffin, Esq.
The Opposition papers have been busily circulating a story, ridiculously false on the face of it, of Mr. Clay's having bought a free man in Pennsylvania and made a slave of him. Since Mr. Clay has condescended to notice it, we copy his Letter for the information of all who desire information on the subject.
[National Intelligencer.]
From the Washington (Pa.) Reporter.
Washington, 4th Oct. 1828.
My Dear Sir: I received your favor of the 29th ult. respecting the charge of my having purchased a negro, a free born Pennsylvanian, and now holding him in illegal bondage. I presume the allusion is to my purchase of Jerry, copies of the papers respecting which are enclosed.
Jerry came to me at Wheeling, with the agent entrusted to sell him, in the Summer of 1824, when I was on my return to Kentucky, and entreated me to buy the remainder of the time of his servitude. I was informed that his mistress was resolved to sell him, for some cause which I do not now distinctly recollect and he was apprehensive of being sold to some person of whom he entertained a less favorable opinion than of me. I accordingly purchased him, and received the Bill of sale, of which a copy is enclosed. The certificate of the two Justices of Washington county (of which a copy is also enclosed) was shewn to, and left with me.
In the Summer of 1825, my son in-law, Mr. Jas. Erwin, having purchased some of my improved breeds of cattle and horses, wished to have Jerry to conduct them to his farm. I accordingly let him have Jerry with his consent, stipulating in his behalf that Mr. Erwin should pay him $5 when he becomes free, of which a memo. is now before me. I saw Mr. Erwin a few weeks ago, and he informed me that Jerry was well contented, and happy.
I purchased the boy not merely with his own consent, but upon his earnest solicitation. I parted from him with his consent, and he is now held, in conformity of the laws of Pennsylvania as I understood them. He will be free at the age prescribed by these laws.
In the mean time; he is a more respectable and useful man than the editor of the paper which you sent me; for he is no calumniator.
I am, with great regard, your obedient servant,
H. CLAY.
Thomas M'Griffin, Esq.
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
Deception Fraud
What themes does it cover?
Deception
Justice
What keywords are associated?
Henry Clay
Calumny
Indentured Servitude
Pennsylvania
Slavery Accusation
Jerry
What entities or persons were involved?
Henry Clay
Jerry
Jas. Erwin
Thomas M'griffin
Where did it happen?
Pennsylvania
Story Details
Key Persons
Henry Clay
Jerry
Jas. Erwin
Thomas M'griffin
Location
Pennsylvania
Event Date
Summer 1824; Summer 1825; October 4, 1828
Story Details
Henry Clay denies purchasing and illegally enslaving free-born Pennsylvanian Jerry, explaining he bought the remainder of Jerry's indentured servitude in 1824 at Jerry's request, lent him to his son-in-law in 1825 with consent, and Jerry will be freed per Pennsylvania laws.