CLAY HENRY Two Autograph Documents Signed H Clay showing Cla

Sale 2123 - Lot 13

Price Realized: $ 1,800

?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price

Estimate: $ 600 - $ 900

CLAY, HENRY. Two Autograph Documents Signed, "H. Clay," showing Clay involved in the buying and selling of slaves. The first, a legal endorsement agreeing that a child born after the date of a mortgage shall be sold with the mother. The second, a complaint to recover his costs for a slave woman purchased at auction. Together, 3 pages, each single tall 4to sheet; folds, dampstained, with repairs and separation at some folds. sold as is. Fayette County, KY, 2 May 1829; October 1823

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Like many of his rank and generation, Clay owned slaves and nevertheless opposed slavery. He called for gradual, compensated emancipation and was president of the American Colonization Society from 1836 to 1849.
"The negro woman Clare having had a child named Mary now about three years old, born since the date of the Mortgage within mentioned . . ."
"On the 17th of Oct your orator purchased of Edwin Upshaw . . . a negro slave named Jade at the price of $117 which he paid to the said Upshaw: that the said slave was sold as a hearty-healthy woman . . ."