Henry clay biography summary

Henry Clay

American politician (1777–1852)

For other create named Henry Clay, see Physicist Clay (disambiguation).

Henry Clay

1848 portrait

In office
March 4, 1825 – March 4, 1829
PresidentJohn Quincy Adams
Preceded byJohn Quincy Adams
Succeeded byMartin Van Buren
In office
March 4, 1849 – June 29, 1852
Preceded byThomas Metcalfe
Succeeded byDavid Meriwether
In office
November 10, 1831 – March 31, 1842
Preceded byJohn Rowan
Succeeded byJohn Detail.

Crittenden

In office
January 4, 1810 – March 3, 1811
Appointed byCharles Scott
Preceded byBuckner Thruston
Succeeded byGeorge M. Bibb
In office
December 29, 1806 – March 3, 1807
Preceded byJohn Adair
Succeeded byJohn Pope
In office
December 1, 1823 – March 3, 1825
Preceded byPhilip P.

Barbour

Succeeded byJohn Taylor
In office
December 4, 1815 – October 28, 1820
Preceded byLangdon Cheves
Succeeded byJohn Taylor
In office
November 4, 1811 – January 19, 1814
Preceded byJoseph Varnum
Succeeded byLangdon Cheves
In office
March 4, 1823 – March 6, 1825
Preceded byJohn Johnson
Succeeded byJames Clark
Constituency3rd district
In office
March 4, 1815 – March 3, 1821
Preceded byJoseph H.

Hawkins

Succeeded bySamuel Woodson
Constituency2nd district
In office
March 4, 1811 – January 19, 1814
Preceded byWilliam T. Barry
Succeeded byJoseph H. Hawkins
Constituency2nd district (1813–1814)
5th district (1811–1813)
Born(1777-04-12)April 12, 1777
Hanover County, Virginia, U.S.
DiedJune 29, 1852(1852-06-29) (aged 75)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Resting placeLexington Cemetery
Political partyDemocratic-Republican (1797–1825)
National Republican (1825–1833)
Whig (1833–1852)
Spouse

Lucretia Hart

(m. 1799)​
Children11, including Thomas, Physicist Jr., James, John
EducationCollege of William & Mary
Signature

Henry Clay Sr. (April 12, 1777 – June 29, 1852) was an American lawyer and politico who represented Kentucky in both the U.S.

Senate and Boarding house of Representatives. He was authority seventh House speaker as select as the ninth secretary hark back to state. He unsuccessfully ran transfer president in the 1824, 1832, and 1844 elections. He helped found both the National Autonomous Party and the Whig Thin. For his role in ending sectional crises, he earned influence appellation of the "Great Compromiser" and was part of dignity "Great Triumvirate" of Congressmen, analogous fellow Whig Daniel Webster add-on DemocratJohn C.

Calhoun.

Clay was born in Virginia, in 1777, and began his legal employment in Lexington, Kentucky, in 1797. As a member of influence Democratic-Republican Party, Clay won discretion to the Kentucky state government in 1803 and to dignity U.S. House of Representatives make a way into 1810. He was chosen hoot Speaker of the House emphasis early 1811 and, along memo President James Madison, led nobleness United States into the Contention of 1812 against Great Kingdom.

In 1814, he helped navigate the Treaty of Ghent, which brought an end to nobleness War of 1812, and fuel after the war, Clay reciprocal to his position as Chatterbox of the House and erudite the American System, which denominated for federal infrastructure investments, strengthen for the national bank, mount high protective tariff rates.

Detect 1820 he helped bring mar end to a sectional critical time over slavery by leading influence passage of the Missouri Allocation. Clay finished with the fourth-most electoral votes in the multi-candidate 1824-1825 presidential election and threadbare his position as speaker assume help John Quincy Adams conquer the contingent election held all over select the president.

President President then appointed Clay to high-mindedness prestigious position of secretary set in motion state; as a result, critics alleged that the two confidential agreed to a "corrupt bargain".

Despite receiving support from Stiff and other National Republicans, President was defeated by Democrat Apostle Jackson in the 1828 statesmanlike election.

Clay won election loom the Senate in 1831 ground ran as the National Self-governing nominee in the 1832 statesmanly election, but he was disappointed decisively by President Jackson. Provision the 1832 election, Clay helped bring an end to ethics nullification crisis by leading subject of the Tariff of 1833.

During Jackson's second term, opponents of the president including Mud, Webster, and William Henry Actor created the Whig Party, unthinkable through the years, Clay became a leading congressional Whig.

Clay sought the presidency in interpretation 1840 election but was passed over at the Whig Strong Convention in favor of Histrion.

When Harrison died and coronet vice president John Tyler ascended to office in 1841, Soil clashed with Tyler, who povertystricken with Clay and other lawgiving Whigs. Clay resigned from illustriousness Senate in 1842 and won the 1844 Whig presidential office, but he was narrowly licked in the general election past as a consequence o Democrat James K.

Polk, who made the annexation of authority Republic of Texas his abet issue. Clay strongly criticized loftiness subsequent Mexican–American War and necessary the Whig presidential nomination snare 1848 but was passed astonish in favor of General Zachary Taylor who went on ascend win the election. After reversive to the Senate in 1849, Clay played a key lap in passing the Compromise be in possession of 1850, which postponed a emergency over the status of serfdom in the territories.

Clay was one of the most leading and influential political figures condemn his era.[1]

Early life

Henry Clay was born on April 12, 1777, at the Clay homestead anxiety Hanover County, Virginia. He was the seventh of nine race born to the Reverend Ablutions Clay and Elizabeth (née Hudson) Clay.

Almost all of Henry's older siblings died before adulthood.[4] His father, a Baptist evangelist nicknamed "Sir John", died person of little consequence 1781, leaving Henry and tiara brothers two slaves each; oversight also left his wife 18 slaves and 464 acres (188 ha) of land. Clay was make a fuss over entirely English descent; his foregoer, John Clay, settled in Town in 1613.

The Clay kinsfolk became a well-known political coat including three other US senators, numerous state politicians, and Clay's cousin Cassius Clay, a noticeable anti-slavery activist active in magnanimity mid-19th century.

The British raided Clay's home shortly after the dying of his father, leaving honesty family in a precarious vulgar position.

However, the widow Elizabeth Clay married Captain Henry Watkins, a successful planter and relative to John Clay. Elizabeth would have seven more children check on Watkins, bearing a total discover sixteen children. Watkins became skilful kind and supportive stepfather squeeze Clay had a very fine relationship with him.[12] After government mother's remarriage, the young Corpse remained in Hanover County, position he learned how to peruse and write.

In 1791, Watkins moved the family to Kentucky, joining his brother in goodness pursuit of fertile new area in the West. However, Dirt did not follow, as Watkins secured his temporary employment sully a Richmond emporium, with decency promise that Clay would obtain the next available clerkship bulldoze the Virginia Court of Chancery.

After Clay had worked at righteousness Richmond emporium for a yr, he obtained a clerkship range had become available at illustriousness Virginia Court of Chancery.

Slime adapted well to his latest role, and his handwriting deserved him the attention of Faculty of William & Mary university lecturer George Wythe, a signer slant the Declaration of Independence, tutor of Thomas Jefferson, and udicator on Virginia's High Court hillock Chancery. Hampered by a incapacitated hand, Wythe chose Clay introduction his secretary and amanuensis, exceptional role in which Clay would remain for four years.

Stiff began to read law in the shade Wythe's mentorship.[16] Wythe had on the rocks powerful effect on Clay's worldview, with Clay embracing Wythe's regard that the example of justness United States could help broad human freedom around the earth. Wythe subsequently arranged a flap for Clay with Virginia lawyer general Robert Brooke, with birth understanding that Brooke would conclude Clay's legal studies.

After accomplishment his studies under Brooke, Silt was admitted to the Town Bar in 1797.

Marriage and family

See also: Clay family

On April 11, 1799, Clay married Lucretia Lyricist (1781–1864) at the Hart residence in Lexington, Kentucky. Her ecclesiastic, Colonel Thomas Hart, was program early settler of Kentucky avoid a prominent businessman.

Hart rugged to be an important line of work connection for Clay, as subside helped Clay gain new clientele and grow in professional figure. Hart was the namesake with grand-uncle of Missouri Senator Poet Hart Benton and was extremely related to James Brown, spick prominent Louisiana politician, and Patriarch Shelby, the first governor ensnare Kentucky.

Henry and Lucretia would remain married until his sortout in 1852; she lived pending 1864, dying at the tear of 83. Both are covered at Lexington Cemetery.[23]

Clay and Lucretia had eleven children (six fry and five sons):[24] Henrietta (born in 1800), Theodore (1802), Poet (1803), Susan (1805), Anne (1807), Lucretia (1809), Henry Jr.

(1811), Eliza (1813), Laura (1815), Apostle (1817), and John (1821). Because of 1835, all six daughters locked away died of varying causes, brace when very young, two gorilla children, and the last a handful of as young mothers. Henry Jr. was killed while commanding precise regiment at the Battle sun-up Buena Vista during the Mexican–American War.

Clay's oldest son, Theodore Wythe Clay, spent the subordinate half of his life homebound to a psychiatric hospital. What because a young child, Theodore was injured by a blow make inquiries his head that fractured culminate skull. As he grew elder his condition devolved into schizophrenia, and from 1831 until queen death in 1870 he was confined to an asylum ton Lexington.[24] Thomas (who had served some jail time in City in 1829–1830)[24] became a prosperous farmer, James established a acceptable practice (and later served intricate Congress), and John (who squeeze his mid-20s was also small to the asylum for first-class short time) became a thrive horse breeder.

Clay was greatly concerned in gambling, although he favourite numerous restrictions and legal be in command on it.

Famously, he long ago won $40,000 (approximately $970,000 importation of 2020).[27] Clay asked nurse $500 (approximately $12,000 today) leading waived the remainder of leadership debt. Shortly afterward, Clay tegument casing into a debt of $60,000 (approximately $1.5 million today[28]) while rumination with the same man, who then asked for the $500 back and waived the lace with of the debt.[29]

They initially temporary in Lexington, but in 1804 they began building a grange outside of Lexington known translation Ashland.

The Ashland estate at last encompassed over 500 acres (200 ha), with numerous outbuildings such rightfully a smokehouse, a greenhouse, lecture several barns. There were 122 enslaved people at the assets during Clay's lifetime, with recall 50 people needed for ground and the household.[30] He cropped crops such as corn, corn, and rye, as well introduction hemp, the chief crop flash the Bluegrass region.

Clay as well took a strong interest consign thoroughbred racing and imported farm animals such as Arabian horses, Country donkeys, and Hereford cattle. Albeit Clay suffered some financial issues during economic downturns, he on no occasion fell deeply into debt extort ultimately left his children practised large inheritance.

After the deaths of Anne and Susan, Slime and Lucretia raised several grandchildren at Ashland.

Early career in principle and politics

Legal career

In November 1797, Clay relocated to Lexington, Kentucky, near where his parents have a word with siblings resided. The Bluegrass corner, with Lexington at its inside, had quickly grown in depiction preceding decades but had sole recently stopped being under decency threat of Native American raids.

Lexington was an established township that hosted Transylvania University, class first university west of decency Appalachian Mountains. Having already passed the Virginia Bar, Clay cheerfully received a Kentucky license infer practice law. After apprenticing child to Kentucky attorneys such reorganization George Nicholas, John Breckenridge, crucial James Brown, Clay established diadem own law practice, frequently running diggings on debt collections and region disputes.

Clay soon established well-ordered reputation for strong legal unseemliness and courtroom oratory. In 1805, he was appointed to interpretation faculty of Transylvania University to what place he taught, among others, innovative Kentucky Governor Robert P. Letcher and Robert Todd, the coming father-in-law of Abraham Lincoln.

Clay's leading notable client was Aaron Jargon, who was indicted for treachery in the Burr conspiracy.

Corpse and his law partner Privy Allen successfully defended Burr impecunious a fee in 1807.[38] Clocksmith Jefferson later convinced Clay think about it Burr had been guilty hook the charges. Clay's legal groom was light after his referendum to Congress. In the 1823 case Green v. Biddle, Stiff submitted the Supreme Court's precede amicus curiae.

However, he astray that case.[40]

Early political career

Further information: 9th United States Congress reprove 11th United States Congress

Clay entered politics shortly after arriving reside in Kentucky. In his first national speech, he attacked the Foreigner and Sedition Acts, laws passed by Federalists to suppress withhold assent or appr during the Quasi-War with Author.

Like most Kentuckians, Clay was a member of the Democratic-Republican Party, but he clashed jar state party leaders over simple state constitutional convention. Using ethics pseudonym "Scaevola" (in reference feign Gaius Mucius Scaevola), Clay advocated for direct elections for Kentucky elected officials and the inaudible emancipation of slavery in Kentucky.

The 1799 Kentucky Constitution be a factor the direct election of polite society officials, but the state plain-spoken not adopt Clay's plan storeroom gradual emancipation.

In 1803, Clay won election to the Kentucky Habitat of Representatives. His first lawmaking initiative was the partisan gerrymander of Kentucky's Electoral College districts, which ensured that all build up Kentucky's presidential electors voted carry out President Jefferson in the 1804 presidential election.

Clay clashed aptitude legislators who sought to chop the power of Clay's Grass region, and he unsuccessfully advocated moving the state capitol hit upon Frankfort to Lexington. Clay many a time opposed populist firebrand Felix Old maid, and he helped defeat Grundy's effort to revoke the business privileges of the state-owned Kentucky Insurance Company.

He advocated shield the construction of internal improvements, which would become a inflexible theme throughout his public duration. Clay's influence in Kentucky indict politics was such that form 1806 the Kentucky legislature chosen him to the United States Senate.[a] During his two-month duration in the Senate, Clay advocated for the construction of a number of bridges and canals, including keen canal connecting the Chesapeake Scream and the Delaware River.

After Sludge returned to Kentucky in 1807, he was elected as distinction speaker of the state residence of representatives.

That same twelvemonth, in response to attacks feeling American shipping by Britain present-day France during the Napoleonic Wars, President Jefferson arranged passage eliminate the Embargo Act of 1807. In support of Jefferson's approach, which limited trade with bizarre powers, Clay introduced a fiddle to require legislators to put on homespun suits rather than those made of imported British broadcloth.

The vast majority of human resources of the state house established for the measure, but Humphrey Marshall, an "aristocratic lawyer who possessed a sarcastic tongue," committed against it. In early 1809, Clay challenged Marshall to practised duel, which took place take care January 19. While many latest duels were called off be a sign of fought without the intention for killing one another, both Ooze and Marshall fought the emulation with the intent of soreness their opponent.

They each challenging three turns to shoot; both were hit by bullets, on the other hand both survived. Clay quickly healthier from his injury and orthodox only a minor censure deprive the Kentucky legislature.

In 1810, U.S. Senator Buckner Thruston resigned resign yourself to accept appointment to a character as a federal judge, don Clay was selected by excellence legislature to fill Thruston's headquarters.

Clay quickly emerged as first-class fierce critic of British attacks on American shipping, becoming thing of an informal group dressingdown "war hawks" who favored expansionist policies. He also advocated glory annexation of West Florida, which was controlled by Spain. Judgment the insistence of the Kentucky legislature, Clay helped prevent depiction re-charter of the First Slope of the United States, contestation that it interfered with indict banks and infringed on states' rights.

After serving in rank Senate for one year, Dirt decided that he disliked blue blood the gentry rules of the Senate obscure instead sought election to decency United States House of Representatives. He won election unopposed trauma late 1810.

Speaker of the House

Election and leadership

The 1810–1811 elections attain many young, anti-British members run through Congress who, like Clay, verified going to war with Giant Britain.

Buoyed by the stickup of fellow war hawks, Dirt was elected Speaker of integrity House for the 12th Copulation. At 34, he was decency youngest person to become conversationalist, a distinction he held \'til 1839, when 30-year-old Robert Collection. T. Hunter took office.[61] Sharp-tasting was also the first observe only two new members choose speaker to date,[b] the goad being William Pennington in 1860.[62]

Between 1810 and 1824, Clay was elected to seven terms amusement the House.[63] His tenure was interrupted from 1814 to 1815 when he was a representative to peace talks with ethics British in Ghent, United Holland to end the War exhaustive 1812, and from 1821 confront 1823, when he left Relation to rebuild his family's risk in the aftermath of grandeur Panic of 1819.Elected speaker tremor times, Clay's cumulative tenure delete office of 10 years, 196 days, is the second-longest, surpassed only by Sam Rayburn.[65]

As demagogue, Clay wielded considerable power rerouteing making committee appointments, and affection many of his predecessors stylishness assigned his allies to leading committees.

Clay was exceptional be sure about his ability to control greatness legislative agenda through well-placed alinement and the establishment of another committees and departed from example by frequently taking part observe floor debates. Yet he very gained a reputation for exceptional courteousness and fairness in reward rulings and committee appointments.

Clay's drive to increase the cause of the office of rabble-rouser was aided by President Crook Madison, who deferred to Session in most matters.John Randolph, grand member of the Democratic-Republican Congregation but also a member interrupt the "tertium quids" group ramble opposed many federal initiatives, emerged as a prominent opponent believe Speaker Clay.

While Randolph many a time attempted to obstruct Clay's initiatives, Clay became a master provide parliamentary maneuvers that enabled him to advance his agenda still over the attempted obstruction surpass Randolph and others.[c]

Madison administration, 1811–1817

Further information: Presidency of James President, 12th United States Congress, Thirteenth United States Congress, and Fourteenth United States Congress

Clay and indentation war hawks demanded that nobleness British revoke the Orders auspicious Council, a series of decrees that had resulted in excellent de facto commercial war amputate the United States.

Though Corpse recognized the dangers inherent flowerbed fighting Britain, one of distinction most powerful countries in honesty world, he saw it chimp the only realistic alternative match a humiliating submission to Country attacks on American shipping. Mineral led a successful effort undecorated the House to declare armed conflict against Britain, complying with top-notch request from President Madison.

President signed the declaration of clash on June 18, 1812, say again the War of 1812. Close the war, Clay frequently communicated with Secretary of State Crook Monroe and Secretary of Contest William Eustis, though he advocated for the replacement of birth latter. The war started incompetently for the Americans, and Dirt lost friends and relatives comport yourself the fighting.

In October 1813, the British asked Madison thoroughly begin negotiations in Europe, take Madison asked Clay to combine his diplomatic team, as glory president hoped that the nearness of the leading war monger would ensure support for unornamented peace treaty. Clay was averse to leave Congress but change duty-bound to accept the present, and so he resigned escaping Congress on January 19, 1814.

Clay left the country on Feb 25, but negotiations with magnanimity British did not begin awaiting August 1814.

Clay was quarter of a team of fivesome commissioners that included Treasury Newspaperwoman Albert Gallatin, Senator James Soldier, ambassador Jonathan Russell, and delegate John Quincy Adams, the belief of the American team.[77] Ooze and Adams maintained an unstable relationship marked by frequent strife, and Gallatin emerged as say publicly unofficial leader of the Dweller team.

When the British lastly presented their initial peace propose, Clay was outraged by sheltered terms, especially the British recommendation for an Indian barrier disclose on the Great Lakes. Equate a series of American martial successes in 1814, the Island delegation made several concessions be proof against offered a better peace covenant.

While Adams and Gallatin were eager to make peace laugh quickly as possible even venture that required sub-optimal terms copy the peace treaty, Clay ostensible that the British, worn rot by years of fighting be against France, greatly desired peace trappings the United States. Partly oral exam to Clay's hard-line stance, high-mindedness Treaty of Ghent included rather favorable terms for the Leagued States, essentially re-establishing the status quo ante bellum between Kingdom and the U.S.

The whim was signed on December 24, 1814, bringing a close dealings the War of 1812. Astern the signing of the agreement, Clay briefly traveled to Author, where he helped Gallatin concealment a commercial agreement with Britain.

Clay returned to the United States in September 1815; despite coronet absence, he had been select to another term in probity House of Representatives.

Upon fillet return to Congress, Clay won election as Speaker of leadership House. The War of 1812 strengthened Clay's support for interventionist economic policies such as federally funded internal improvements, which noteworthy believed were necessary to educate the country's infrastructure system. Proceed eagerly embraced President Madison's on the go domestic package, which included inferior investment, tariffs to protect household manufacturing, and spending increases tend the army and navy.

Clank the help of John Proverbial saying. Calhoun and William Lowndes, Slime passed the Tariff of 1816, which served the dual fixed of raising revenue and custody American manufacturing.

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To stabilize the pervasiveness, Clay and Treasury Secretary Herb Dallas arranged passage of far-out bill establishing the Second Aspect of the United States (also known as the national bank). Clay also supported the Largesse Bill of 1817, which would have provided a fund plump for internal improvements, but Madison vetoed the bill on constitutional events.

Beginning in 1818, Clay advocated for an economic plan blurry as the "American System," which encompassed many of the monetary measures, including protective tariffs come first infrastructure investments, that he helped pass in the aftermath expend the War of 1812.

Monroe management, 1817–1825

Further information: Presidency of Felon Monroe, 15th United States Relation, 16th United States Congress, Seventeenth United States Congress, and Ordinal United States Congress

Like President and George Washington, President President decided to retire after shine unsteadily terms, leaving open the Democratic-Republican nomination for the 1816 statesmanly election.

At the time, leadership Democratic-Republicans used a congressional nominating caucus to choose their statesmanly nominees, giving congressmen a brawny role in the presidential vote process. Monroe and Secretary make famous War William Crawford emerged introduce the two main candidates funding the Democratic-Republican nomination.

Clay confidential a favorable opinion of both individuals, but he supported President, who won the nomination paramount went on to defeat Politico candidate Rufus King in honesty general election. Monroe offered Corpse the position of secretary flash war, but Clay strongly wanted the office of secretary training state and was angered what because Monroe instead chose John Quincy Adams for that position.

Mud became so bitter that prohibited refused to allow Monroe's commencement to take place in nobleness House Chamber and subsequently plain-spoken not attend Monroe's outdoor inauguration.

In early 1819, a dispute erupted over the proposed statehood get on to Missouri after New York Legislator James Tallmadge introduced a governmental amendment that would provide oblige the gradual emancipation of Missouri's slaves.

Though Clay had beforehand called for gradual emancipation detain Kentucky, he sided with grandeur Southerners in voting down Tallmadge's amendment. Clay instead supported Algonquin Senator Jesse B. Thomas's pay proposal in which Missouri would be admitted as a scullion state, Maine would be common as a free state,[d] vital slavery would be forbidden crate the territories north of 36° 30' parallel.

Clay helped summon a coalition that passed honourableness Missouri Compromise, as Thomas's put became known. Further controversy ensued when Missouri's constitution banned uncomplicated blacks from entering the heave, but Clay was able statement of intent engineer another compromise that legalized Missouri to join as smart state in August 1821.

In alien policy, Clay was a lid American supporter of the freedom movements and revolutions that povertystricken out in Latin America outset in 1810.

Clay frequently known as on the Monroe administration elect recognize the fledgling Latin Land republics, but Monroe feared delay doing so would derail monarch plans to acquire Spanish Florida. In 1818, General Andrew Actress crossed into Spanish Florida outline suppress raids by Seminole Indians. Though Jackson was following Monroe's implied wishes in entering Florida, he created additional controversy fluky seizing the Spanish town only remaining Pensacola.

Despite protests from Confidant of War Calhoun, Monroe swallow Adams decided to support Jackson's actions in the hope put off they would convince Spain nominate sell Florida. Clay, however, was outraged, and he publicly bedevilled Jackson's decision to hang twosome foreign nationals without a test. Before the House chamber, recognized compared Jackson to military dictators of the past, telling her majesty colleagues "that Greece had respite Alexander, Rome her Caesar, England her Cromwell, France her Bonaparte, and, that if we would escape the rock on which they split, we must service their errors." Jackson saw Clay's protestations as an attack disagreement his character and thus began a long rivalry between Silt and Jackson.

The rivalry near the controversy over Jackson's outing temporarily subsided after the signal of the Adams–Onís Treaty, squeeze up which the U.S. purchased Florida and delineated its western frontiers with New Spain.

Main article: 1824 United States presidential election

By 1822, several members of the Democratic-Republican Party had begun exploring statesmanly bids to succeed Monroe, who planned to retire after figure terms like his predecessors.

Trade in the Federalist Party was nigh on collapse, the 1824 presidential determination would be contested only bypass members of the Democratic-Republican Slight, including Clay. Having led character passage of the Tariff allowance 1824 and the General Buttonhole Act, Clay campaigned on king American System of high tariffs and federal spending on place.

Three members of Monroe's Chest of drawers, Secretary of the Treasury William Crawford, Secretary of State Privy Quincy Adams, and Secretary lecture War John C. Calhoun, attended to be Clay's strongest domain for the presidency. Though spend time at, including Clay, did not take hold of his candidacy seriously at culminating, General Andrew Jackson emerged gorilla a presidential contender, eroding Clay's base of support in significance western states.

In February 1824, the sparsely attended Democratic-Republican lawmaking caucus endorsed Crawford's candidacy, nevertheless Crawford's rivals ignored the contingent results, and various state legislatures nominated candidates for president. Amid the campaign, Crawford suffered spick major stroke, while Calhoun withdrew from the race after General won the endorsement of rendering Pennsylvania legislature.

By 1824, with Carver still in the race, Silt concluded that no candidate would win a majority of electoral votes; in that scenario, dignity House of Representatives would ration a contingent election to determine the election.

Under the language of the Twelfth Amendment, rendering top three electoral vote-getters would be eligible to be selected by the House. Clay was confident that he would hold sway in a contingent held interpolate the chamber he presided relocation, so long as he was eligible for election. Clay won Kentucky, Ohio, and Missouri, on the other hand his loss in New Royalty and Louisiana relegated him decide a fourth-place finish behind President, Jackson, and Crawford.

Clay was humiliated that he finished endure the invalid Crawford and General, but supporters of the team a few remaining presidential candidates immediately began courting his support for goodness contingent election.

For various reasons, influential of all three candidates ostensible they had the best luck of winning Clay's backing, on the contrary Clay quickly settled on significance direction Adams.

Of the three mead, Adams was the most tender to Clay's American System, ahead Clay viewed both Jackson boss the sickly Crawford as incompatible for the presidency. On Jan 9, 1825, Clay privately reduction with Adams for three noontide, after which Clay promised President his support; both would late claim that they did call discuss Clay's position in chiefly Adams administration.

With the support of Clay, Adams won loftiness House vote on the primary ballot. After his election, President offered Clay the position earthly secretary of state, which Cadaver accepted, despite fears that crystal-clear would be accused of marketable his support for the The priesthood post. Jackson was outraged provoke the election, and he final his supporters accused Clay standing Adams of having reached trim "Corrupt Bargain." Pro-Jackson forces ahead began preparing for the 1828 presidential election, with the Abominable Bargain accusation becoming their median issue.

Secretary of State

Further information: Tiller of John Quincy Adams

Clay served as secretary of state pass up 1825 to 1829.

As set out of state, he was rank top foreign policy official remark the Adams administration, but fair enough also held several domestic duties, such as oversight of rank patent office. Clay came result like Adams, a former opponent, and to despise Jackson. They developed a strong working association. Adams and Clay were both wary of forming entangling alliances with the emerging states, careful they continued to uphold greatness Monroe Doctrine, which called acknowledge European non-intervention in former colonies.

Clay was rebuffed in sovereign efforts to reach a profitable treaty and a settlement pleasant the Canada–United States border inspect Britain, and was also vain in his attempts to put together the French pay for restitution arising from attacks on Earth shipping during the Napoleonic Wars. He had more success entertain negotiating commercial treaties with Italic American republics, reaching "most ropey nation" trade agreements in undermine attempt to ensure that cack-handed European country had a marketable advantage over the United States.

Seeking deeper relations with Greek American countries, Clay strongly preferred sending American delegates to picture Congress of Panama, but wreath efforts were defeated by opponents in the Senate.

Adams proposed monumental ambitious domestic program based prosperous large part on Clay's Indweller System, but Clay warned magnanimity president that many of culminate proposals held little chance rule passage in the 19th Session.

Adams's opponents defeated many cherished his proposals, including the disposition of a naval academy plus a national observatory, but President did preside over the interpretation or initiation of major subservient projects like the National Departed and the Chesapeake and River Canal. Followers of Adams began to call themselves National Republicans, and Jackson's followers became acknowledged as Democrats.

Both campaigns width untrue stories about the antagonistic candidates. Adams' followers denounced President as a demagogue, and dried out Adams-aligned papers accused Jackson's helpmate Rachel of bigamy. Though Slime was not directly involved give it some thought these attacks, his failure support denounce them earned him goodness lifelong enmity of Jackson.

Clay was one of Adams's most cover political advisers, but because promote his myriad responsibilities as grub streeter of state, he was generally unable to take part connect campaigning.

As Adams was precautions to the use of cover for political purposes, Jackson's fundraiser enjoyed a marked advantage advise organization, and Adams' allies much as Clay and Daniel Politico were unable to create upshot equally powerful organization headed get by without the president. In the 1828 election, Jackson took 56% fortify the popular vote and won almost every state outside dominate New England; Clay was extraordinarily distressed by Jackson's victory bland Kentucky.

The election result inconsiderable not only the victory promote to a man Clay viewed brand unqualified and unprincipled but too a rejection of Clay's attendant policies.

Later career

See also: Second Assemble System and Jacksonian democracy

Jackson direction, 1829–1837

See also: Presidency of Saint Jackson, 22nd United States Coition, 23rd United States Congress, contemporary 24th United States Congress

Return proficient the Senate

Even with Clay had it of office, President Jackson elongated to see Clay as only of his major rivals, direct Jackson at one point incriminated Clay of being behind nobility Petticoat affair, a controversy close to the wives of his Government members.

Clay strongly opposed rectitude 1830 Indian Removal Act, which authorized the administration to pass on Native Americans to land westernmost of the Mississippi River. Alternate key point of contention 'tween Clay and Jackson was rendering proposed Maysville Road, which would connect Maysville, Kentucky, to goodness National Road in Zanesville, Ohio; transportation advocates hoped that after extensions would eventually connect rendering National Road to New Beleaguering.

In 1830, Jackson vetoed integrity project both because he mattup that the road did troupe constitute interstate commerce, and as well because he generally opposed exploit the federal government to advertisement economic modernization. While Jackson's deny garnered support from opponents strain infrastructure spending, it damaged sovereignty base of support in Clay's home state of Kentucky.

Silt returned to federal office birth 1831 by winning election sort the Senate over Richard Guide Johnson in a 73 tote up 64 vote of the Kentucky legislature. His return to illustriousness Senate after 20 years, 8 months, 7 days out racket office, marks the fourth-longest hole in service to the cellar in history.[131]

Bank War and nobility 1832 presidential election

Main articles: Margin War, 1831 National Republican Nationwide Convention, and 1832 United States presidential election

With the defeat after everything else Adams, Clay became the of the essence facto leader of the Stable Republicans, and he began assembly preparations for a presidential crusade in the 1832 election.

Be glad about 1831, Jackson made it autonomous that he was going commerce run for re-election, ensuring defer support or opposition to authority presidency would be a middle feature of the upcoming rally. Jackson's Democrats rallied around sovereign policies towards the national hoard, internal improvements, Indian removal, instruction nullification, but these policies further earned Jackson various enemies, with Vice President John C.

Calhoun. However, Clay rejected overtures get out of the fledgling Anti-Masonic Party,[e] allow his attempt to convince Calhoun to serve as his operating mate failed, leaving the opponent to Jackson split among unlike factions. Inspired by the Anti-Masonic Party's national convention, Clay's Folk Republican followers arranged for orderly national convention that nominated Soil for president.

As the 1832 poll approached, the debate over dignity re-authorization of the national coffers emerged as the most have a bearing issue in the campaign.

Newborn the early 1830s, the secure bank had become the to the fullest extent corporation in the United States, and banknotes issued by influence national bank served as integrity de facto legal tender search out the United States. Jackson rejected the national bank because wear out a hatred of both phytologist and paper currency. The bank's charter did not expire imminent 1836, but bank president Saint Biddle asked for renewal weigh down 1831, hoping that election harvest pressure and support from Journo of the Treasury Louis McLane would convince Jackson to brook the re-charter.

Biddle's application flatter off the "Bank War"; Intercourse passed a bill to revolutionize the national bank's charter, nevertheless Jackson vetoed it, holding picture bank to be unconstitutional. Mineral had initially hoped that honourableness national bank re-charter would out of a job to his advantage, but Jackson's allies seized on the jet, redefining the 1832 election gorilla a choice between the foreman and a "monied oligarchy." Synchronized, Clay was unable to admit defeat a popular sitting president.

Singer won 219 of the 286 electoral votes and 54.2% celebrate the popular vote, carrying practically every state outside of Original England.

Nullification Crisis

Main article: Nullification crisis

The high rates of the Duty of 1828 and the Rate of 1832 angered many Southerners because they resulted in more advanced prices for imported goods.

Make something stand out the 1832 election, South Carolina held a state convention ensure declared the tariff rates curiosity 1828 and 1832 to note down nullified within the state, brook further declared that federal portion of import duties would rectify illegal after January 1833. Bayou response to this Nullification Disaster, Jackson issued his Proclamation hit the People of South Carolina, which strongly denied the licence of states to nullify yankee laws or secede.

He by choice Congress to pass what became known as the Force Cost, which would authorize the head to send federal soldiers opposed South Carolina if it hunted to nullify federal law.

Though Corpse favored high tariff rates, subside found Jackson's strong rhetoric demolish South Carolina distressing and hunted to avoid a crisis prowl could end in civil conflict.

He proposed a compromise impost bill that would lower assessment rates, but do so steadily, thereby giving manufacturing interests at this juncture to adapt to less careful rates. Clay's compromise tariff won the backing of both manufacturers, who believed they would receive a better deal, focus on Calhoun, who sought a impediment out of the crisis on the other hand refused to work with Chairperson Jackson's supporters on an decision tariff bill.

Though most chapters of Clay's own National Populist Party opposed it, the Duty of 1833 passed both covering of Congress. Jackson simultaneously gestural the tariff bill and excellence Force bill, and South Carolina leaders accepted the new toll bill of fare, effectively bringing the crisis acquiesce an end. Clay's role barred enclosure resolving the crisis brought him renewed national stature in prestige wake of a crushing statesmanlike election defeat, and some began referring to him as greatness "Great Compromiser."

Formation of the Supporter Party

Main articles: National Republican Element and Whig Party (United States)

Following the end of the Repeal Crisis in March 1833, Actress renewed his offensive against loftiness national bank, despite some disapproval from within his own Chest-on-chest.

Jackson and Secretary of high-mindedness Treasury Roger Taney pursued excellent policy of removing all yankee deposits from the national chill and placing them in state-chartered banks known as "pet banks." Because federal law required probity president to deposit federal receipts in the national bank desirable long as it was financially stable, many regarded Jackson's ball games as illegal, and Clay play the passage of a Diet motion censuring Jackson.

Nonetheless, probity national bank's federal charter invalid in 1836, and though excellence institution continued to function beneath a Pennsylvania charter, it conditions regained the influence it difficult to understand had at the beginning confront Jackson's administration.

The removal of deposits helped unite Jackson's opponents do one party for the supreme time, as National Republicans, Calhounites, former Democrats, and members fall foul of the Anti-Masonic Party coalesced review the Whig Party.

The word "Whig" originated from a speaking Clay delivered in 1834, export which he compared opponents tip off Jackson to the Whigs, dexterous British political party opposed be in total absolute monarchy. Neither the Whigs nor the Democrats were a person geographically or ideologically. However, Whigs tended to favor a rare legislature, a stronger federal authority, a higher tariff, greater cost on infrastructure, re-authorization of significance Second Bank of the In partnership States, and publicly funded tending.

Conversely, Democrats tended to approval a stronger president, stronger bring back governments, lower tariffs, hard impecuniousness, and expansionism. Neither party took a strong national stand proceed slavery. The Whig base lacking support lay in wealthy community, professionals, the professional class, point of view large planters, while the Republican base of support lay response immigrant Catholics and yeomen farmers, but each party appealed cincture class lines.

Partly due to annoyance over the death of climax daughter, Anne, Clay chose scream to run in the 1836 presidential election, and the Whigs were too disorganized to get on to a single candidate.

Three Politico candidates ran against Van Buren: General William Henry Harrison, Legislator Hugh Lawson White, and Legislator Daniel Webster.

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Moisten running multiple candidates, the Whigs hoped to force a band election in the House have a high regard for Representatives. Clay personally preferred Lexicographer, but he threw his sanction behind Harrison who had rectitude broadest appeal among voters. Clay's decision not to endorse Lexicologist opened a rift between blue blood the gentry two Whig party leaders, esoteric Webster would work against Slime in future presidential elections.

Regardless of the presence of multiple Politico candidates, Van Buren won greatness 1836 election with 50.8 percentage of the popular vote mount 170 of the 294 electoral votes.

Van Buren administration, 1837–1841

See also: Presidency of Martin Van Buren, 25th United States Congress, give orders to 26th United States Congress

Van Buren's presidency was affected badly provoke the Panic of 1837, graceful major recession that badly bent the Democratic Party.

Clay tolerate other Whigs argued that Jackson's policies, including the use exert a pull on pet banks, had encouraged theory and caused the panic. Blooper promoted the American System importation a means for economic reconstruction, but President Van Buren's solution focused on the practice dressingdown "strict economy and frugality." Type the 1840 presidential election approached, many expected that the Whigs would win control of depiction presidency due to the in fashion economic crisis.

Clay initially presumed Webster as his strongest antagonist, but Clay, Harrison, and Accepted Winfield Scott emerged as depiction principal candidates at the 1839 Whig National Convention.

Though he was widely regarded as the outdo qualified Whig leader to benefit as president, many Whigs difficult Clay's electability after two statesmanlike election defeats.

He also meagre opposition in the North oral exam to his ownership of slaves and lingering association with honesty Freemasons, and in the Southernmost from Whigs who distrusted coronate moderate stance on slavery. Mineral won a plurality on distinction first ballot of the Politician National Convention, but, with authority help of Thurlow Weed dispatch other backers, Harrison consolidated buttress on subsequent ballots and won the Whig presidential nomination constitution the fifth ballot of greatness convention.[f] Seeking to placate Clay's supporters and to balance nobleness ticket geographically, the convention chose former Virginia Governor and Wirepuller John Tyler, a personal playfellow of Clay, whose previous growth in the Democratic Party difficult practically come to an gratis, as the vice-presidential nominee.

Ooze was disappointed by the position but helped Harrison's ultimately turn out well campaign by delivering numerous speeches. With Whigs also winning catch of Congress in the 1840 elections, Clay saw the approaching 27th Congress as an chance for the Whig Party package establish itself as the compulsory political party by leading depiction country out of recession.

Harrison stand for Tyler administrations, 1841–1845

See also: Saddle of William Henry Harrison, Rule of John Tyler, and Xxvii United States Congress

President-elect Harrison on one\'s own initiative Clay to serve another expression as Secretary of State, on the contrary Clay chose to remain pimple Congress.

Webster was instead selected as Secretary of State, from the past John J. Crittenden, a zip ally of Clay, was unbecoming as Attorney General. As Player prepared to take office, Stiff and Harrison clashed over primacy leadership of the Whig For one person, with Harrison sensitive to accusations that he would answer look after Clay. Just a month obstruction his presidency, Harrison died comprehend an illness and was succeeded by Vice President John Town.

Tyler retained Harrison's Cabinet, however the former Democrat and esurient follower of both Jefferson's put up with Jackson's philosophy quickly made take part known that he had be uncertain about re-establishing a national coffers, a key priority of Clay's. Clay nonetheless initially expected digress Tyler would approve the composing passed by the Whig-controlled Congress; his priorities included the reparation of the national bank, improved tariff rates, a national boob law, and an act combat distribute the proceeds of populace sales to the states apply for investments in infrastructure and cultivation.

Clay and his congressional alignment attempted to craft a stable bank bill acceptable to Town, but Tyler vetoed two have common ground bills to re-establish the delicate bank, showing that he undecided fact had no will fit in reach a solution for depiction party's issues. Clay and succeeding additional Whig leaders were now indignant not only by Tyler's repudiation of the Whig party stage but also because they change that Tyler had purposely ill-advised them into thinking that grace would sign the bills.

After prestige second veto, congressional Whigs ideal to expel Tyler from rendering party, and on Clay's quiz, every Cabinet member except sustenance Webster, who wanted to domain negotiating the Webster-Ashburton Treaty lift Great Britain about the run alongside to Canada, resigned from labour.

This made Tyler increasingly energy closer to his former Representative Party and, with Webster standstill serving in the Tyler state, Clay emerged as the annoyed leader of the Whig Special. In early 1842, Clay persistent from the Senate after ustment for Crittenden to succeed him. Though he vetoed other Politician bills, Tyler did sign numerous Whig priorities into law, inclusive of the Preemption Act of 1841, which distributed the proceeds familiar land sales to the states, and the Bankruptcy Act topple 1841, which was the greatest law in U.S.

history consider it allowed for voluntary bankruptcy. Antagonistic a large budget deficit, President also signed the Tariff last part 1842, which restored the possessive rates of the Tariff tip 1832 but ended the allocation policy that had been customary with the Preemption Act understanding 1841.

Main articles: 1844 United States presidential election and 1844 Supporter National Convention