CASSIUS M. CLAY, "LION" - The Filson Historical Society
CASSIUS M. CLAY, "LION" - The Filson Historical Society
CASSIUS M. CLAY, "LION" - The Filson Historical Society
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134 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Filson</strong> Club History Quarterly [Vol. 31<br />
he has had two violent attacks...<br />
I remain in haste and affection<br />
Your niece<br />
Sallya6<br />
<strong>The</strong> next letter was brought back to Kentucky by a returning soldier:<br />
Camargo, Mexico<br />
Dec. 13, '46<br />
Dear Brutus<br />
I sent you a few days ago $2000 in Treasury notes payable to the<br />
order of John Tilford to prevent abstraction and fraud. I now send<br />
you by W. McCalla another note of same endorsement for $500, one<br />
hundred dols. of which belongs to Mr. John McCracken of Lexington<br />
sent by me from his son, which you will please pay over as soon as<br />
possible.<br />
I hope this amount together with other debts will prevent you from<br />
any additional burden. I am economizing and hoping to get out of<br />
debt after awhile.<br />
We are at present inactive as Gen'l Taylor seems to be awaiting the<br />
action of the Mexican Congress and the impression seems to be that<br />
we have made a false move in the war and that it is impracticable to<br />
advance farther by land and get supplies. <strong>The</strong> more I see of war the<br />
more I hate it in all its consequences. I am in good health and tolerable<br />
spirits. <strong>The</strong> bearer is about starting and I must bid you adieu--My<br />
love to Ann and the children.<br />
Yours ever.<br />
C. M. Clay<br />
<strong>The</strong> next letter is of interest principally because of its mention of<br />
cattle prices, etc. then obtaining in Kentucky, though it does contain<br />
the last word of Cassius perhaps received prior to his capture by the<br />
Mexicans on January 20, 1847.<br />
Feb'y 4th 1847<br />
Dear Brutus<br />
Mr. Wilkerson returned last night from buying cattle & brought 50 'head<br />
with him. He went through the counties of Lincoln, Garrard &<br />
Mercer. Before he left home he bought 15 head for which he paid<br />
$135. <strong>The</strong>y however are too young for next Fall sale. So also are some<br />
of the 50 which he brought home with him yesterday. Previous to his<br />
leaving home he sold to Chenault 4 head of the cattle which were ready<br />
for market at $30 a head 2.. He counted the shocks of corn & on the<br />
1st of January he had 1451 shocks averaging 1 barrel to the shock. I
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