CASSIUS M. CLAY, "LION" - The Filson Historical Society

138 The Filson Club History Quarterly [Vol. 31
to the policy of taking this step, as others more deeply interested in
Mr. Clay's welfare can advise with you. "a°
Today I received a letter from Pa saying that a committee of gentlemen
in Gaines' district had written to him, concerning what Mr. Clay
had said in his letter to me relative to the surrender of Gaines at
Encarnacion.4° Mr. Clay said nothing discreditable to Gaines, but it
was reported in Frankfort from Mr. Dudley41 reading the letter to
some of his friends contrary to my earnest request, that no one should
see it but your Mother, that he had spoken harshly of Gaines. I feel
very much agitated, distressed that through my indiscretion Mr. Clay
will have to suffer in any way. Come to see me & talk with me about
it if convenient. Pa insisted very much upon my going over to Lex.
but I thought it was more, just to have me with him, than regarding
any answer to the Committee. I sent him word by Mrs. F. N. Hunt,
(my sister) that if he desired to see me about the business of the letter
I would go over Saturday. He could write by tomorrow's mail. I sent
him Mr. Clay's letter to use if he thought proper. My little Brutus
has been quite ill, though he is now much better. I had a good deal of
company last week & had just returned from Lex. on a trip of two
weeks, near three weeks ago, so that the children, of course, have been
without instruction near a month. I do not feel as if I were doing my
duty in thus neglecting them, having taken them from school for my
own gratification. It distresses me, when I am compelled to do so.
You will find me at home, therefore, most likely, but ! wish, as you
pass through Lex. you would inquire at our house if I am in Lex. &
stop to see me. I shall not be there unless it is necessary I should be.
Give my love to Ann & Martha. All are well.
Yrs. affectionately,
M. J. Clay
Mexico, June 18, 1847
Dear Brutus,
We the officers taken prisoner at Encarnacion and other places are
still prisoners. The common soldiers were sent to Tampico about a
week ago without our knowing it. What design they had in keeping
it secret I don't know. They say that Santa Anna won't exchange us
because he fears the imputation of being a friend of the Americans.4=
Others say we are not exchanged because Scott and Worth have refused
to recognize Santa Anna in any manner because he forced the prisoners
on parole taken at Vera Cruz to serve at Cerro Gordo, so between all
these difficulties we may be kept during the war. There seems to be
an impression that when Mexico is taken there will be a peace, but
intelligent men here think there will be no peace, and that armed