Henry Clay and the New Madrid Earthquakes

Sometimes the connection between the New Madrid earthquakes and famous people of the time can be convoluted.  There is no record of what Henry Clay experienced during the quakes but there are records of others who did corresponding with him and asking for help.

As a little bit of background some information on Henry Clay.  He was a representative from Kentucky to the United States Congress and went on to become a powerful politician who was best known for being the Speaker of the House of Representatives.  His career spanned from the 1811-1812-time period until the 1850’s.  His legislative skill would help hold the country together until sectional controversies unraveled the country prior to the Civil War.

As a representative Clay received correspondence from constituents or government officials who need his help in resolving problems, he would in turn respond and attempt to help them.   At the time of the New Madrid earthquakes the Louisiana Territory had no representation in Congress but many Kentuckian’s were in the area or were serving as government officials there.  One of these officials was Joshua Humphreys.  He was the Court Clerk and Notary at New Madrid being appointed in 1806.  His brother Charles wrote Clay to describe the conditions at New Madrid after the earthquakes and ask for help.

“Lexington May 4^th  1812

Sir:

My brother Joshua Humphreys at New Madrid informs me that they are in great distress there—The earth quake has ruined many of them—and many more have fled out of the country that in the event of an Indian War the are in danger of all being cut off-.  He is the only civil officer who has not fled the country-previous to the earth quakes  the population was 3000—now only about 400 remain and those are the most helpless-such as could not get away- He therefore requests that the troops at Massak where there is no settlement to protect, be sent to Madrid—or that some other troops be stationed there until the Indian war be over- “

The Indian war that Humphreys referred to was the unrest caused by the defeat of Tecumseh in the fall of 1811.  Indian tribes were still in turmoil and rumors of a war were rampant in frontier areas through the winter of 1811-1812.  So far no record has been found that troops were sent to New Madrid to fulfill this request.  However it is an early instance of requesting Federal government troops to help in a natural disaster.  This would be more commonplace in the 20^th century which was far in the future when this letter was written.

Source: Letter from Charles Humphreys to Henry Clay, May 4, 1812 Papers of Henry Clay Volume 1, 1797-1814.  University of Kentucky Press , 1959.  Pages 651-652.