Henry Clay
Washington, DC, May 21, 1827
Henry Clay as Sec. of State, Will Not Recommend - "the necessary engagements which belong to my particular office to abstain from such interference generally" - With Bonus FF!
LS & FF

A 2pp letter signed by Henry Clay (1777-1852), then in his role as U.S. Secretary of State, as "H. Clay" on the top of the second page. Clay's free frank signature as "H. Clay" appears on the integral address leaf. May 21, 1827. Washington, D.C. Secretarially inscribed on laid watermarked paper. The third page is blank. The outer address leaf bears several philatelic markings including a "Free" handstamp and postmark from "Wash City." The integral address leaf is docketed by the recipient near the left edge, and bears remnants of red wax seal. Expected wear including flattened transmittal folds, with a small repair along a fold at the right edge of the first page. Discreet professional restoration along splits on the third page/integral address leaf. Some loss around and near the seals. Toning and negligible mat burn along edges. Else very good. 7.875" x 9.125".

Secretary of State Henry Clay wrote this carefully worded letter to William Hunter of Providence, Rhode Island. Hunter had contacted Clay a week earlier in the hopes of obtaining the secretary's recommendation for one Mr. Mason, a Deputy Postmaster candidate in Newport, Rhode Island. Awarding individual Postmaster positions was usually within the purview of the former sitting Postmaster, or local politicians or community leaders. The U.S. Postmaster General or even a sitting U.S. President could opine about empty posts. The appointment was not simply a question of qualification, but also a function of the political spoils system which thrived unchecked at the time. A canny politician, Clay proceeded with caution, asserting that since the local contest did not involve affairs of state, he could not involve himself other than passing along the letters he had received.

In full:

"Washington, 21st May, 1827.

I duly received your favor of the 14th inst. in behalf of Mr. Mason, an applicant for the office of Deputy Postmaster, at Newport. You appreciate justly the delicacy which ought to be felt and observed in any interference of one department in the discharge of duties of another. I have been compelled, as well as on that account as from the necessary engagements which belong to my particular office to abstain from such interference generally, but it will not be a violation of that rule to bear the testimony which I am enabled to do by your letter, and by others which I have received, to the merits of Mr. Mason. If it should in any degree contribute to the success of his application I shall be much gratified, both on account of those merits, and the intent which is taken in his favor by Mr. Champlin and yourself, of both of whom I shall ever retain the most friendly recollections.

I am, with great regard,

Your obedient servant,

H. Clay

Wm Hunter Esqr"

Jockeying for the empty post had begun almost immediately. The incumbent Postmaster at Newport, Benjamin B. Mumford (1772-1827), who had served in the post from 1813-1827, had died at the age of 55 on May 12, 1827. Two days later, Hunter had written Clay lobbying on behalf of Mason. Clay replied a week later. On May 30, 1827, President John Quincy Adams wrote in his diary that he had been approached by U.S. Postmaster General John McLean regarding filling the empty post. Adams wrote: "Mr M'lean shewed me several Letters concerning the competition for the office of Postmaster at Newport R.I between Mr Cranston and Mr Mason - He thought the preponderance was in favour of Cranston; in which opinion I concurred" (John Quincy Adams Digital Library, 31 May 1827, Vol. 37 Main Entry, Vol. 50 list, Vol. 23 Line-a-day.)

Ultimately, the Newport Postmaster appointment went to Robert Bennie Cranston (1791-1876), whom both McLean and Adams had preferred. Cranston, who came from a politically connected family, had served as Newport Revenue Collector from 1812-1815 and was currently the acting Sheriff of Newport. Cranston served as Postmaster of Newport between 1827-1833. Later during his career, he served in the Rhode Island state legislation, in the U.S. Congress, and as an 1864 Republican elector of Abraham Lincoln.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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