Henry CLAY (1777 – 1852) Extremely early Autograph Document Signed “H Clay” 1p. 12 1/2 x 7 1/2 in., Fayette County, [Ky.], [n.d., c. 1797?]

“Thomas Ging complains of William Essex in Custody &c. that he render to the said Thomas the plaintiff the sum of thirty one pounds three shilling sterling money of Ireland, of the value of £41:10:8 current money of Kentucky, which to the said plaintiff he owes and from him unjustly detains. For this to wit that whereas the said defendant, on 5th day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety six, at Dublin in the Kingdom of Great Britain Ireland, to wit at the parish of Kentucky in the County aforesaid, by his certain promissory note sub- scribed with the proper hand and name of the defendant and to the Court now here shewn the date whereof is the same day & year aforesaid, promised to pay to the said plaintiff or bearer thirty one pounds three shilling sterling, for value received, seventy one days after the date of the said promissory note… Nevertheless the said deft altho’ often re- quested the said sum of £31:3 of the value aforesaid, or any part thereof to the said plaintiff hath not paid but the same to him to pay hath hitherto refused and still doth refuse to the damage of the plaintiff…” A fine document from early in Clay’s legal career. Prior to election to Congress in 1811, Clay had been a skilled attorney in Lexington, Kentucky after he moved there from Virginia in 1797. Matted and framed with an engraved portrait of Clay.

Moderate toning at folds, separation at center horizontal crease, else very good.

(EXA 4062) $1,000