with characteristic ability and success. In a series of public addresses of unsurpassed ability, made in different parts of the Union, he enforced the great duty of mutual concession, in reference to the sectional controversy which so seriously alarmed the country. In December, 1850, the famous Hülsemann letter was written, to which Kossuth has applied the epithet of 'immortal.' Mr. Webster, by his firm and judicious manner of treating the Cuba question, obtained of the Spanish government the pardon of the followers of Lopez, who had been deported to Spain. About the same time, he received from the English government an apology for the interference of a British cruiser with an American steamer in the waters of Nicaragua. This is the second time that the British government has made a similar concession at the instance of Mr. Webster. The first was in reference to the destruction of the 'Caroline,' at Schlosser. It has been affirmed that these are the only occasions on which the British government has ever apologized for the conduct of its affairs. Mr. Webster's intellectual efforts were not confined to politics. He filled a place second to none of his cotemporaries at the American bar, and his discourses upon various historical and patriotic anniversaries are among the brightest gems of modern eloquence. The works of Mr. Webster have been lately published in six volumes, 8vo, with a biographical memoir by Mr. Edward Everett, from which the preceding sketch has been for the most part extracted. He died at his residence in Marshfield, Massachusetts, on the 24th day of October, 1852.
HENRY CLAY.
Henry Clay was born April 12, 1777, in Hanover county, Virginia.
His father was a Baptist clergyman, of small means, who died when his
son was only five years of age. He was one of a large family of children,
who were left under the care of their mother—a firm-minded and truly
excellent woman. Henry's early advantages consisted in the privilege of
attending a common country Virginia school; and such were the circumstances
of the widow, that thus early, he was obliged to contribute to the
support of the family. His work was generally on the farm. At fourteen
years of age he was placed in a small retail shop in Richmond, Va. The
next year he entered the office of Mr. Tinsley, clerk of the high court of
chancery, where among other valuable acquaintances, he attracted the
notice and acquired the friendship of the distinguished and beloved Chancellor
Wythe—one of the venerated signers of the declaration of independence.
With him the poor orphan found a patron and a home. Under the
direction of his great benefactor, and for the purpose of studying his profession,
he entered the law office of Robert Brooke, attorney general of
the State. In 1797 he moved to Lexington, Ky., where before he commenced
the practice of the law, he devoted some months to severe study.
Such were the youthful trials of this great man. The foundation of his
long, eminent, patriotic and glorious career was thus, not family, nor
wealth, nor titles, but talents, industry, integrity, and worth. Our space
will not permit a full detail of a progress alike honorable to a people who
saw and appreciated his value as a man, and to the patriot who devoted
himself zealously to the public service. This commenced in 1797, when
he took part in the debates relating to the call of a convention to form a
