A beginner's history

by William H. Mace

He married a well-to-do young lady and lived near Lexington on a beautiful estate called Ashland.

Favors gradual abolition of slavery

Henry Clay's first work in politics was to favor the gradual abolition of slavery in Kentucky. Although beaten, he was always proud of his stand on this question.

Too young to be a senator

When too young, according to the Constitution, to take his seat, he was made a senator of the United States. But nobody called the attention of the Senate to his age. After his term as senator was out he was elected to the legislature of Kentucky, and was immediately made Speaker.

INKSTAND USED BY HENRY CLAY

Speaker of the House of Representatives

Born during the Revolution, Henry Clay, like most Americans of his time, grew up with hatred toward England in his heart. He was sent to Congress in 1811, and was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives. As Speaker, he did much to bring on a declaration of war with Great Britain, in 1812.

The War of 1812