Page:Life of Henry Clay (Schurz; v. 1).djvu/59

Rh those who insisted upon the existence of that power under the Constitution as it was.

The senatorial term, for a fraction of which Clay had been appointed, ended on March 4, 1807. He had enjoyed it heartily. “My reception in this place,” he wrote to Colonel Hart on February 1st, “has been equal, nay, superior to my expectations. I have experienced the civility and attention of all I was desirous of obtaining. Those who are disposed to flatter me say that I have acquitted myself with great credit in several debates in the Senate. But after all that I have seen, Kentucky is still my favorite country. There amidst my dear family I shall find happiness in a degree to be met with nowhere else.” We have, also, contemporaneous testimony, showing how others saw him at that period. William Plumer, a Senator from New Hampshire, a Federalist, wrote in his diary: —

“December 29, 1806. This day Henry Clay, the successor of John Adair, was qualified, and took his seat in the Senate. He is a young lawyer. His stature is tall and slender. I had much conversation with him, and it afforded me much pleasure. He is intelligent and appears frank and candid. His address is good, and his manners easy.”

And later: —

“Mr. Clay is a young lawyer of considerable eminence. He came here as senator for this session only. His clients, who have suits depending in the Supreme Court, gave him a purse of three thousand dollars to at-