DESCRIPTIVE LETTER 1848 HENRY CLAY’S PARADE PHILADELPHIA

Item Details

Four page, three with pen manuscript letter, the last page serves as postal cover. Pages measures 9 x 11 ¼.  Addressed to R. Rundle Smith, House of Representative , Harrisburg (Richard Rundle Smith  was  a Representative from Philadelphia City; born, June 9, 1817 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pa.; A.M., University of Pennsylvania, 1838; sergeant, Gray Reserves, Pennsylvania National Guard; major, Judge Advocate, 1st Division, Pennsylvania National Guard; lawyer (1838-1875); elected as a Whig to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 1848 and 1849 terms; elected, select council, Philadelphia (1852-1854); died, October 28, 1903 in Philadelphia). The author is Thomas Smith, perhaps a relative of R. Rundle Smith.
Descriptive account of Henry Clay Parade in Philadelphia.
On February 24, 1848, Henry Clay, a leading figure in American politics,  arrived in Philadelphia and was greeted with great acclaim. He was traveling as a presidential candidate, though he would ultimately be unsuccessful in his bid for the presidency. Clay ran for president multiple times (1824, 1832, and 1844), but never achieved the presidency. In the 1848 US presidential election, Henry Clay sought the Whig presidential nomination, but he was ultimately passed over in favor of Zachary Taylor. While Clay was a prominent figure in the party and had previously been the Whig nominee in 1844, Taylor, a military hero from the Mexican-American War, emerged as a strong contender and won the nomination on the fourth ballot. Taylor went on to win the general election, defeating the Democratic candidate, Lewis Cass.
 
Full transcition of letter:
Philad'a, Feby 24, 1848

Dear R[..?..] -

One of the losses you have met with in being honoured as the city's meat champion at Harrisburg has been in not seeing or taking part in the reception here today of Henry Clay. It defies description as to numbers or enthusiasm. The women, God bless their lovely faces, filled every cranny, window and step on the route and so many bright eyes have not sparkled nor handkerchiefs waved since my early recollection. The only thing approaching it was the march down Baltimore St. at the last convention with this difference in favor of ours, the sidewalks were literally crammed the entire route. The extra car with the Committee & Mr. C. arrived at Broad & Prime Sts. at about 3 o'clock. There was drawn on the right a cavalcade of about 1200 in line. He was put into the barouche with Col.Swift & Jno. Struthers & drove up in front of the cavalcade. It was impossible to keep them in line as they would break. The barouche had to halt at Spruce St. & the cavalcade formed in front 4' abreast immediately preceding Mr. C.This was all admirably done and without the least confusion. As you must know that I the great [..?..] had a finger in that pie and selected for marshall of the cavalcade 6 troopers of the bloody first with Fred James our 1st Inf. captain & '[..?..]' at the tail. I had trooper Bill Stevenson with myself at the rear of the cavalry immediately preceding the barouche and having it in charge. After the barouche came about 40 carriages, the majority private, then came the foot pads with 2 magnificent bands of music and a representation of Whigs worthy of our good old Clay whig city. We stepped off about 1/2 past 3 and end fairly in Arch St. Such a sight was there as makes me glory in being a Philad'a Whig. The girls looked so full of joy that if I was not bomb proof now I should have been for hugging a 1000 at least. You didn't hear any strange noise like distant thunder about that time, did you? for if you did it was the shouts that went from Earth to Heaven. The route was down Arch  to 10th, down 10th to Chestnut, down to 3d, down to Walnut, up to 9th, down to Spruce, up to 10th & then to John Swift's. Every window, every door had nothing in but our own Philad'a girls and right merry they looked too. Some dozen bouquets were thrown to Mr. C. during the route & some of them were magnificent. At Col. Swift's, Mr. C. put his head out of the window and the gallant whig army swept by with such shouts as I fancy Mr. Clay will have ringing in his ears until his time comes to take his share of earth for a resting place. I feel kind of big Dick and think if you had been here you would have been half crazy. The Taylor's men's meat & drink on the 22nd  was a humbug, because they were nearly all Clay men there, shouting louder for him than Taylor. Why God bless you, such things as Joy, Charley G. & Josiah care about as much influence the whig heart in this city and secure for themselves offices as the Devil raise a rebellion in the better world.

 

There is nothing new today. I've been trying to find out the certainty about the election if Bucks & Lehigh but can't altho' I suppose you will have it in the morning papers.

I suppose you have been apprised of the death of Mrs. John Smith, your Uncle Wm's mother in law this morning. She is to be interred I believe on Sunday.

Truly, Tom 
Very legible, fine condition.