Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1844-05-09
Mr. Clay on the Texas Question.
RALeiou April II. lS44,

rious communications from popular assemblages
and private individuals, requesting an expression
Of my opinion upon the question OF the Annexa
lion of Texas 10 the United States | have for.
borne to reply to them, because it was not very
during the progress of my journey, to l
do so, aud for other reasons | did not think il
proper unnecessarily, 10 introduce at present new
element among the other exciting subjects which
agi,a,e and engross the public mind The rejec-
ton Of the overture Of Texas, some years ago, be-
come annexed TO the United States, had met with
general acquiescNce Nothing has since occur
red materially 10 vary the question. l had seen
no evidence of desire being entertained, on the
part of any considerable portion of the American
people, that Texas should become an integral par,
Of the United States. During my sojourn in
New Orleans, had, indeed, been greatly surprs-
ed, BY information which l received from Texas,
that in the course of the last fall voluntary
overture, had proceeded from the Executive Of the
United States to the Authorities of Texas, to con-
clude treaty of Annexation and that, in order
to overcome the repugnance felt by any of them
10 negotiation upon the subject, strong, and as |
believed erroneous representations had been r'ade
TO them of a state of opinion in the Senate of the
United States favorable to the ratification of such
a treaty. According to these representations, it
had been ascertained that number of Senators
varying from thirty-five to forty.two, were ready
TO sanction such treaty. ! was aware, too, that
holders of Texas lands and Texas script and
Spectator in them, were actively engaged in pro-
noting the object Of Annexation Still did not
believe that any Executive of the United States
would venture upon so grave and momentuous
preceding not only without any general manifesto
ton of the public opinion in favor of it, but in d.
rect opposition to strong and decided expressions
of public disnpprobaon. But appears tina, was
mistaken TO the establishment of the whole ma
tion we arc now informed that treaty of annex
alton has been actually concluded, and is TO be
submitted to the Senate for its consideration. The
motives forlmy silence, therelore,no longer remain
and feel it my duty TO present an exposition of
my views and opinions upon the question, for
what they may be worth, TO the public considera-
ton adopt this method as being more conven-
lent than several replies to the respective commu-
nications which have received.
Iregret that l have not the advantage of a
view Of the treaty itself, so as to enable me to
adapt an expression of my opinion to actual con-
ditlons and stipulations which it contains. MOI
possessing that opportunity, am constrained 10
treat the question according to what presume to
to be the terms ofthe treaty If without the loss
of national character, without the hazard Of for
eign war; with the general concurrence ofthe ma
ton, without any danger to the integrity of the
Union, and without giving an unreasonable price
for Texas, the question of annexation were pre-
sented, it would appear in quite different light
from that in which, apprehend, it is now to be
regarded.
The United States acquired title to Texas, ex
tending, as believe to the Rio del Norte, by the
treaty OF Louisiana. They ceded and relinquishet
that title 10 Spain by the treaty of ls9 by which
the Sabine was submitted for the Rio del Nor
L. e
tiated under the Administration of Mr.. Monroe
and with the concurrence of his Cabinet, of which
Messrs. Crawford, Calhoun and Writ, being
5 majority all Southern gentlemen, composed
part When the treaty was laid before the Hous
of Representatives, being member of that bod
|, expressed the opinion, which then entertained
and still hold, that Texas was sacrificed to tn
acquisition of Florida We wanted Florida bu
thought it must, from its position, iney,ibly al
into our possession that the point of few years
sooner or later, was Of no sort of consequence
and that in giving five millions of dollars an
: Texas for it. we gave more than just equivalent
But, if we make great sacrifice in the surrcn
der of Texas, we ought to take care not to max
too great sacrifice in the attempt 10 re-acquire
Nv opinions of the inexpediency of the treat
J. gress were satisfied with it, appropriations wcr
= made 10 carry into effect the line Of the Sabin
c was recognised by us as our boundary, in negc
;, tiations both with Spain and Mexico, after Mexc
became independent, and measures have been
actual progress TO mark the line from the Sabn
It to the Red River, and thence to The Pacific Oceal
!. We have thus alicnaed our title TO Texas, by so
s. emn national compocts, to the fulflIment of who
s we stand bound by good faith and national homo
!, l. is, therefore, perfectly idle and ridiculous il NJ
J. dishonorable, to talk Of resuming title to Tex
ii as if we had never parted with it, We can 4
e more do that than Spain can resume Florid
IS France Louisiana, or Great Britain the thirtet
h colonies, now composing part of the Unite
% States.
Il During the administration of Mr. Adams, NJ
e Polnseti, Minister of the United States at Men
D. CO, was instructed by me, with the Presidents a
lie thorily to propose re.purchase Of Texas but
- forbore even to make overture for that purpos
q Upon his return TO the United States he inforr
\, ed me, at New Orleans that his reason for maxim
re i, was, that he knew the purchase was who
re impracticable, and he was pesuaded that If
to made the overture, ii would have no other eff
A. than to aggravate irritalons, already existing u
,e on matters Of difference between the two cou
~ tries
The events which have since transpired in TIE
as are well known She revolled against the go
eminent Of Mexico, flew TO arms and final
"A b.s IF Co.