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Story
April 25, 1835
Kentucky Gazette
Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky
What is this article about?
A satirical letter from Lancaster, Kentucky, on April 16, 1835, describes Henry Clay's arrival amid political maneuvering by R.P. Letcher, portrayed as a hypocritical farce to secure an election.
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OCR Quality
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Full Text
Our correspondent at Lancaster thus hits off the Garrard part of the farce.
"LANCASTER, Ky. 16th April, 1835.
"Dear Sir: The honorable H. Clay is at this time in our town, and has been in the county since the evening of the 15th.
"R. P. Letcher appeared on the public square on the morning of the 16th inst. on horseback and announced to his minions that H. Clay was to meet him at the mouth of Sugar creek on that day, he succeeded in getting some eight or ten of his devotees to accompany him to the mouth of said creek, about eight miles North of this place, where Bob met H. Clay, and encamped for the night; this morning they arrived in our town without the sound of cannon;—there was something remarkable in their conduct when they entered the town, it was reasonable to suppose that Mr. Letcher would have escorted his friend to the Hotel, but instead of this, he tacked square off through the first alley he came to, and went to his own residence; while Mr. Clay, in all his majesty, moved forward to the Hotel, where he now is snug and warm, but surrounded with a greater mass of ignorance than you would imagine, &c.
"Letcher has endeavored to make the impression that Clay is in bad health, and is travelling to improve it, and selected the mouth of Sugar creek as the most suitable place for recreation, fishing &c., with his little grand son with him: but, who does not know that the honorable Senator has laid aside his dignity as Senator and entered the 5th District for the evident purpose of intriguing, in order to secure Dusty Bob's election. It was amusing to see Bob on yesterday morning in the centre of the square, mustering a set of the completest knaves that ever you saw; a limited acquaintance would leave no marvel, why they were devoted to a man who is distinguished for nothing so much as his hypocrisy and lies. &c."
"LANCASTER, Ky. 16th April, 1835.
"Dear Sir: The honorable H. Clay is at this time in our town, and has been in the county since the evening of the 15th.
"R. P. Letcher appeared on the public square on the morning of the 16th inst. on horseback and announced to his minions that H. Clay was to meet him at the mouth of Sugar creek on that day, he succeeded in getting some eight or ten of his devotees to accompany him to the mouth of said creek, about eight miles North of this place, where Bob met H. Clay, and encamped for the night; this morning they arrived in our town without the sound of cannon;—there was something remarkable in their conduct when they entered the town, it was reasonable to suppose that Mr. Letcher would have escorted his friend to the Hotel, but instead of this, he tacked square off through the first alley he came to, and went to his own residence; while Mr. Clay, in all his majesty, moved forward to the Hotel, where he now is snug and warm, but surrounded with a greater mass of ignorance than you would imagine, &c.
"Letcher has endeavored to make the impression that Clay is in bad health, and is travelling to improve it, and selected the mouth of Sugar creek as the most suitable place for recreation, fishing &c., with his little grand son with him: but, who does not know that the honorable Senator has laid aside his dignity as Senator and entered the 5th District for the evident purpose of intriguing, in order to secure Dusty Bob's election. It was amusing to see Bob on yesterday morning in the centre of the square, mustering a set of the completest knaves that ever you saw; a limited acquaintance would leave no marvel, why they were devoted to a man who is distinguished for nothing so much as his hypocrisy and lies. &c."
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
Deception Fraud
What themes does it cover?
Deception
Social Manners
What keywords are associated?
Henry Clay
R P Letcher
Political Intrigue
Lancaster Ky
Sugar Creek
Election Farce
What entities or persons were involved?
H. Clay
R. P. Letcher
Bob Letcher
Dusty Bob
Where did it happen?
Lancaster, Ky.; Mouth Of Sugar Creek
Story Details
Key Persons
H. Clay
R. P. Letcher
Bob Letcher
Dusty Bob
Location
Lancaster, Ky.; Mouth Of Sugar Creek
Event Date
16th April, 1835
Story Details
R.P. Letcher announces a meeting with Henry Clay at Sugar Creek to his followers, but their arrival in Lancaster is undramatic; Letcher avoids escorting Clay to the hotel, and the correspondent accuses them of political intrigue and hypocrisy to secure Letcher's election.