The Writings of Carl Schurz/From Ex-President Hayes, July 2d, 1887
FROM EX-PRESIDENT HAYES
My dear General: This hot morning I give a few minutes to the duty and pleasure of telling you how much I am delighted with your Henry Clay. Wm. Henry Smith had written me that it was the best of the series and very excellent. Critical notices all point the same way. I knew you were not likely to be unjust. But owing to your aversion to Hero Worship I feared you would not see as others do the wonderful combination of attractive qualities possessed by Clay. He was by nature sound and an adherent of the best. This with his prodigious magnetism, grace and eloquence made him a unique character. You have satisfied the demand of his admirers, and still kept faith with historical accuracy and justice. It is well done, exceedingly.
Now a word more personal, almost impertinent. You write so easily and rapidly, it will not interfere with your necessary work. Do write a full autobiography. You need not publish. Leave that to the young folks. How great the curiosity to know your method of mastering our language. How much instruction you could give. Then you are an enigma in a certain sense. Explain yourself. You can write the most readable sketch of the sort to be found in our language.
Sincerely,