Soon after, he went to England, where the treaty had been ratified formally, a few days previous to his leaving Paris. In England he received the most marked attention, and formed many valuable acquaintances, which subsequently proved a source of pleasure and profit to him. He won the esteem of lord Castlereagh, who treated him with particular politeness, offering to present him to the prince regent, which Mr. Clay civilly declined, in consequence of his unwillingness to submit to the courtly formalities of such an introduction.
Several days had elapsed, when he was informed by his host that an individual desired to speak with him. Mr. Clay requested that he might be admitted, who accordingly was, who proved to be a person splendidly dressed, and, refusing to be seated at Mr. Clay’s request, announced himself as the first waiter of my _lord Castlereagh_! ‘Indeed!’ replied Mr. Clay, ‘what is your pleasure with me?’ ‘Why, if your excellency pleases,’ said the man, ‘it is usual for a foreign minister when he is presented to lord Castlereagh to make to his first waiter a present, or pay the customary stipend;’ at the same time presenting him with a catalogue of names of foreign ministers, with the amount that each had paid him placed opposite his name.
Mr. Clay, believing it a vile attempt to extort money from him, endeavored to get rid of him in the easiest way possible, by saying that he was not the minister to England; that Mr. Adams, who was, would probably soon arrive from Paris, who would doubtless comply with the custom of the country in that respect. The servant, not being inclined to release him so easily, quickly replied, that it was immaterial whether he was a resident or special minister. Mr. Clay thought finally that the most effectual way to release himself, was to comply with his demand, and presented him a small sum.
While he was at London the battle of Waterloo was fought, and he witnessed the public rejoicings on account of its favorable termination to the British. He was one day dining at lord Castlereagh’s house in company with many of the nobility, when the conversation turned on the late victory, and the whereabouts of Napoleon, as it was not known where he had gone. Some intimated that he had sailed for America. ‘If he goes there,’ said lord Liverpool to Mr. Clay, ‘will he not give you much trouble?’ ‘None whatever,’ instantly replied Mr. Clay, ‘we shall be glad to receive such a distinguished, though unfortunate exile, and we shall soon make a good democrat of him.’