John Randolph Clay
Encyclopedia
John Randolph Clay was an American
diplomat.
in 1808, the second child of parents Joseph (1769–1811) and Mary Ashmead Clay (1782–1871) and younger brother of Joseph Ashmead Clay (1806–1881). He also had a younger sister Ann Eliza Clay (1810–1872). Clay was orphaned as a child, and was both brought up and taught by John Randolph of Roanoke
. In May 1830 Randolph was appointed U.S. ambassador to Russia
, and brought Clay along as his secretary. Still in Russia, he subsequently served as secretary to James Buchanan
and William Wilkins
. He would later serve in Austria
as Henry A. P. Muhlenberg
's secretary and then chargé d'affaires. From 1836 to 1837 he served as Chargé d'Affaires in Serbia
.
Afterwards, John Randolph Clay served in Lima
, Peru
as American Chargé d'Affaires
from December 15, 1847 through August 22, 1853 and then as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary until October 27, 1860.
One of his accomplishments there is shown in the following that was written by William Lewis Herndon
in his Exploration of the Valley of the Amazon, vol. I, (1852), chapter 19:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
diplomat.
Biography
Clay was born in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaPennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
in 1808, the second child of parents Joseph (1769–1811) and Mary Ashmead Clay (1782–1871) and younger brother of Joseph Ashmead Clay (1806–1881). He also had a younger sister Ann Eliza Clay (1810–1872). Clay was orphaned as a child, and was both brought up and taught by John Randolph of Roanoke
John Randolph of Roanoke
John Randolph , known as John Randolph of Roanoke, was a planter and a Congressman from Virginia, serving in the House of Representatives , the Senate , and also as Minister to Russia...
. In May 1830 Randolph was appointed U.S. ambassador to Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, and brought Clay along as his secretary. Still in Russia, he subsequently served as secretary to James Buchanan
James Buchanan
James Buchanan, Jr. was the 15th President of the United States . He is the only president from Pennsylvania, the only president who remained a lifelong bachelor and the last to be born in the 18th century....
and William Wilkins
William Wilkins (U.S. politician)
William Wilkins was an American lawyer, jurist, and politician from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. During his career, he served in both houses of the Pennsylvania State Legislature, and in all three branches of the United States federal government, including service as a United States federal judge, as...
. He would later serve in Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
as Henry A. P. Muhlenberg
Henry A. P. Muhlenberg
Henry Augustus Philip Muhlenberg was an American political leader and diplomat. He was a member of the Muhlenberg Family political dynasty....
's secretary and then chargé d'affaires. From 1836 to 1837 he served as Chargé d'Affaires in Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
.
Afterwards, John Randolph Clay served in Lima
Lima
Lima is the capital and the largest city of Peru. It is located in the valleys of the Chillón, Rímac and Lurín rivers, in the central part of the country, on a desert coast overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Together with the seaport of Callao, it forms a contiguous urban area known as the Lima...
, Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
as American Chargé d'Affaires
Chargé d'affaires
In diplomacy, chargé d’affaires , often shortened to simply chargé, is the title of two classes of diplomatic agents who head a diplomatic mission, either on a temporary basis or when no more senior diplomat has been accredited.-Chargés d’affaires:Chargés d’affaires , who were...
from December 15, 1847 through August 22, 1853 and then as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary until October 27, 1860.
One of his accomplishments there is shown in the following that was written by William Lewis Herndon
William Lewis Herndon
Commander William Lewis Herndon was one of the United States Navy's outstanding explorers and seamen. He chose to go down with his ship while other lives were still aboard and while in command of the steamer Central Americas 44th trip, which sank in a three day and night hurricane off Cape...
in his Exploration of the Valley of the Amazon, vol. I, (1852), chapter 19:
Independently of the action of the Spanish American republics concerning the free navigation of their tributaries of the Amazon, we have a special treaty with Peru, negotiated by J. Randolph Clay, our present minister, in July, 1851, which entitles us, under the present circumstances, to the navigation of the Peruvian Amazon. The second article of that treaty declares that, 'The two high-contracting parties hereby bind and engage themselves not to grant any favor, privilege, or immunity whatever, in matters of commerce and navigation, to other nations, which shall not be also immediately extended to the citizens of the other contracting party, who shall enjoy the same gratuitously, or on giving a compensation as nearly as possible of proportionate value and effect, to be adjusted by mutual agreement, if the concession shall have been conditional.