This supplement to The Papers of Henry Clay contains documents discovered too late to be included in the proper chronological sequence in earlier volumes. Spanning the years from 1793 to 1852, the items shed important light on Clay's early years in Kentucky, his legal career, and his work for the Bank of the United States.
Material dealing with the "Corrupt Bargain" charge is particularly rich, and many of the letters that appear in this volume fill gaps in exchanges already published. Clay's correspondence with Benjamin Watkins Lee of Virginia and Mary Bayard, wife of Delaware senator Richard Henry Bayard, is especially interesting.An essay on Clay portraits by Clifford Amyx, professor emeritus of art at the University of Kentucky, provides a detailed discussion of the paintings, statues, busts, engravings, and daguerreotypes that featured Clay as the subject. Appended to the essay is a calendar listing each major work, the artist, date of completion, and present location.
A comprehensive bibliography of works cited in the entire series will benefit researchers seeking information in addition to that provided in the annotations. This supplement is an essential addition to the earlier volumes in the series.