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New York. Feby 14 1860. Mrs. C.M. Clay, Dear madame: I can not this morning resist the warm impulse of my heart to write you, and tell you what a cordial, honest and enthusiastic greeting the freemen of this great commercial metropolis of our new World. gave your noble devoted & patriotic husband last evening in the large Hall of the Cooper Institute. Not withstanding the drifting snow. The darkened air, the driving winds, The Hall was filled by the substantial men of New York. of all parties the Poet of our Country. The elegant & accomplished William C. Bryant, was among the first to greet Mr. Clay, Mr. John Van Buren, came to extend the hand of welcome, democrat as he now is. Venerable, grey haired men gathered around him & put him, and at the hour of 8 o'clock, as Mr. Clay walked into the hall. Before some good people. Would that

you and your children, and that venerable Mother of Mr. Clay, could have been present & witness the reception- to hear the honest cheer the thundering rounds of applause, & the long & continued shouts for several minutes, of welcome to Cassius M. Clay, not only were strong & vigorous men there, but shrinking, timid, and delicate women braved the fury of the "Storm King" to greet with their waving handkerchiefs and holy smiles, the great & unflinching Champion of Freedon & the Rights, of Humanity. Oh, is would have done you all good: and as shout after shout went up, I thought of the "loved ones" of the iron, yet tender-hearted man. who stood before us. Far away in their quiet Kentucky. home, and wished that they were present that they might by demonstration Know. how much our Northern men love & honor, & venerate the man who dares, be Right in the midst of wrong For nearly two hours Mr. Clay

held that large & cultivated audience and they cheered & applauded his sentiments & opinions. It was, a glorious meeting, full of enthusiasm in a good cause. After the conclusions of the excellent speech, (which I send you in the Herald.) Gentlemen and ladies gathered around Mr. Clay to express their thanks and to "cross palms" with Freedom's Champion, It was a glad hour of peaceful triumph for him. Kentucky may shut him out of her capital, but the framers of the Union bill take him to their hearts: and I trust in God that in "the good time coming' [underlined: one of your sons] may deliver an inaugural speech as [underlined: Governor of Kentucky.] From the very spot where your husband made his great speech on the [underlined: steps] of the [underlined: Capital,] on the evening of the 10th Janr 1860. I know you will teach them to love Freedon & hate Despotism. Mr. Clay is well this morning. He said "give my love to Mrs. Clay," when I told him I should write to you. He goes to New Haven at 3 o'clock this P.M.

He is full of hope, faith and courage. "May God give them length of days & may he fill them with deeds of usefullness." Pray madam, tell the children of your love & your affection. That as of the bleak & cold North, love & honor & cherish Cassius M. Clay, that we send our thoughts over mountains & across plains to the home of his loved ones, I pray that "He who doeth all things well." I who "holds in His hand the destiny of men & of Nations." May have you all in His Holy Keeping. Please pardon me this, and believe me with kindest regards, Yours truly, and respectfully, James A. Briggs

JAMES A. BRIGGS Ohio State Agent 25 William Street Commissioner for Ohio