Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-10-24
3s6eDtroarn E1tAttr 9g.

questions of public policy. One VINO may DC
candidate for the Chief Alagisiracy OF inc nation,
if elected ought 10 enter upon the olSena'se %
the high duties connected with mat ONCE WIN
his mind omen and uncommit,ed upon all new
questions which may arise in the course OF It's
administration, and ready 10 avail himself OF all
the lights which he NAV derive from ms Cabinet
from Congress, and. above ALL from the public
opinion. ,.,c
II. in advance. he should commit himself TO
individuals who NAV think proper 10 acdrcss
him, he may deprive the public ana himself o.
the benefit Of those great guides. Entertaining
this view, il was nv intention, after my homi,
nation, 10 decline answering, Tor puDlicaiol ID, an
questions that might be propounded 10 me; bul
on further reflection, il appears 10 me, mat II
imposed this silence upon myself, might, con-
frary TO the uniform tenor OF my lie, seem 10 pe
unwilling frankly and teallessly 10 submit my
opinions 10 The public Judgment. therefore 80
far deviated from nv first purpose as 10 respond
10 letters addressed To me, making inquiries III
regard 10 subjects which had been iiuch a@"a-
ted OF The answers which | SO transmitted,
some we're intended exclusively Tor the satls!ac-
lion OF nv correspondents, without any eXpec'a-
ton. On nv part. oi their being deemed worthy oi
publication. I'm repaT,! To those which have been
presented 10 the public misconceptions ana er-
Toneous constructions have been gwen 10 some vi
them which think they did not authorize, or
which al all events were contrary 10 my lhtel-
lions.
In announcing my determination 10 permit no
other letters 10 he drawn from me on puplic al
fairs, think il right TO avail myscil OF Inc occa-
sion, to correct the erroneous Interpretation OF one
or two of those which ] had previously written.
In April last addressed 10 you, from Raleigh, 4
letter in respect 10 The proposed treaty, annexins
Texas To HE United States, and have since ad-
dressed Two letters 10 Alabama upon the same
subject Most unwarranted allegations have
been made ha: those letters are inconsistent with
each Other, and 10 make ii out particular phra-
ses or expressions have been tom from their con-
text, and a meaning attributed To me which ne
yer entertained.
wish now distinctly 10 saw that there is not
n feeling sentiment. or an opinion expressed in
nv Raleigh letter 10 which | do not adhere. |
am decidedly opposed 10 the immediate annexa-
lion ot Texas 10 the United States. | think il
would be dishonorablc might involve tEem in
war, wond be dangerous 10 The integrity ind har-
mony OF the Union. and, ii all these objections
were removed, could not be effected, according 10
any information posscss upon just and adInis>i-
be conditions.
II waS not ny intention, in either OF the two
letters which addressed 10 Alabama, To express
any contrary opinion. Representations had been
made 10 me- TINT | was considered a> iniicxib"
opposed 10 the annexation Of Texas. under any
circumstance; and that my opposition was 50 e1-
llcmc thai | would not waive ii, even il there
were general consent 10 the measure, hy all the
States Of the Union. replied in nv first letter
TO Alabama llnt personally had no objection to
annexation. Thought that my mean nS was sui-
ficiently obyiors, that had 70 personal private.
or individual motives for opposing, as have norc
for cspousing tie measure; my judgment being al
together influenced b. general and political con-
STp which h1 Lpf The ME
public conduct.
in my second letter 10 Alabama, assuming that
the annexation II Texas might be accomplished
without na,iona di>honor, without war, with the
general conscntof the States OF the Union, and
upon fair and .eaSonable terms, stated, that
shculi be glad 10 see it. did nol suppose that
il was possible could be misunderstood | i'm
agined every bSdy would comprehend me as IN
tending that, whatever might be my particular
views and options ! should he happy 10 see
what the whole nation might concur in desiring
under the conditions stated. Nothing was fur
Their from my purpose than 10 intimate any change
Of opinion as long as any considerable and Icspec
table portion of he Conlcderacy should continue
10 stand out in opposition 10 tie annexation of
Texas.
In all three of mr. letters upon the subject ol
+ Texas, stated taat annexation WAS inadmi>sioie,
except upon .iif and reasonable terms, II every
tlIpI ouItCtlJH NtIt lctLp'tN III SIttI'I Niii'H
| addressed 10 the Senate of the L. States more
than three Yeas ago, | avowcd my opposition,
for the reasons there stated 10 the assumption, by
the General Government, of the debts OF the seve-
raj States II was hardly, therefore, 10 be pre-
.umed that ! could be in favor OF assuming the
unascerta ined tcbt al foreign state, with which
We have no lraternal ties, ami whose bad faith or
violation of lis engagements can bring no re-
proachcs upon us.
Having thus, gentlemen, made the apology
which intended for my omission 10 answer any
letters clnGui.y upon public affairs which Imay
have received, announced my purpose 10 decline
hcnceorward transmitting answers for publica-
ton To any such letters ! may hereafter receive,
and vindicaicd some of those which ] have Tor
wardcd against The erroneous constructions 10
which they have been exposed. | have accom-
p!>hed the purpose OF this note. and remain. re-
specilully, your obed;cnt servant,
III. CLAY.