nance of animal man requires but little ingenuity and exertion, and where all the influences of nature favor the development of indolence and of the passions rather than the government of thrift, reason, and law.
The disappointment was indeed painful, and he could not refrain from expressing his feelings on a notable occasion. In 1827 Bolivar wrote him a formal letter complimenting him “upon his brilliant talents and ardent love of liberty,” adding: “All America, Colombia, and myself owe your Excellency our purest gratitude for the incomparable services you have rendered to us by sustaining our cause with a sublime enthusiasm.” Clay answered, nearly a year later, in chilling phrase, that the interest of the people of the United States in the struggles of South America had been inspired by the hope that “along with its independence would be established free institutions, insuring all the blessings of civil liberty,” an object to the accomplishment of which the people of the United States were still anxiously looking. But, lest Bolivar might fail in making a practical application of these words, Clay added: “I should be unworthy of the consideration with which your Excellency honors me, if I did not on this occasion state that ambitious designs have been attributed by your enemies to your Excellency, which have created in my mind great solicitude. They have cited late events in Colombia as proofs of these designs. But I cannot allow myself to believe that your Ex-
