Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1844-07-27

Vii liC SOlu VI 4hulCuf iO~'
only twenty-five days after his installatio
into office, Mr.. Clay instructed Mr.. Polr
sett, our minister TO Mexico, to open nj
goliations with that country for the rear
nexalion, and went into lengthy argu
ment to demonstrate lis great importanc
in military point of view, insisting tha
the Sabine approached SO near New Oh
leans as to endanger IFS peace and safety
and that the Red River and Arkansas, an
their tributaries, ought to be entirely with
in the limits, and under the jurisdiction
Of the United States. In 1927, Mr.. Cla
renewed his instructions, and desired tn
Rio del Norte as the boundary, offering a
the same time large sum of money a
The consideration. | may here add, as
am passing, that General Jackson, Mr.
Van Buren,, and Mr.. Forsyth, made simila
applications, and offered still larger suns
of money for the purchase of that coun
try, all placing it upon the ground that, il
addition to its other numerous and meal.
culable advantages, the possession o.
Texas by this country was absolutely es.
sential to the successful defence of New
Orleans, and the whole Mississippi valley
against the invasion of foreign enemy.
But, sir, in defiance Of all his official acts
and recorded opinions upon this subject,
we now find Henry Clay opposed to the
remuneration of Texas, and advocating a
separate republic, which, we all know,
would be under the influence and protec-
lion, if not the direct control, of the Bri.
fish Government. What has transpired
TO produce such total revolution in his
opinions upon a question so important and
vital to our interests and security as ma
ion? True, Texas, in the meantime, has
declared and established her independence
Of Mexico; but does that fact render her
ess formidable in the hands of foreign
enemy in war, or her increased CONNER
,lal advantages less desirable in peace?
The changed condition of Texas can have
Produced no other effect than TO render the
easons for remuneration more urgent and
imperative. | repeat, then, what can have
PRODUCED this wonderful change in the
plnions of Mr.. Clay? Neither he nor
lis friends will condescend TO inform US.
And must confess, that they show their
prudence by their silence. But whilst
lr. Clay does not attempt to reconcile
is present with his past opinions, or to
xplain away his gross inconsistencies, he
as offered few reasons-if, indeed,
hey are entitled to be called reasons--in
is Raleigh letter, in support of his pre-.
cnt position. In that letter he assumes
lat Texas and Mexico are engaged in an
ctual war, and then contends that the |
OF Texas, whilst that sup
,sed war continues, would be violation
the laws of nations, and q breach of
lr treaty stipulations with Mexico. Pro.
sting that there has been no open, actual
ar existing between Texas and Mexico
The last eight years; that Mexican
my has not ventured to encamp on Texan
II within that period; that there has been
'thlng in the shape of actual hostiities,
icePt series of marauding incursions,
lder the cover of night, for the purpose
plumber and murder, which were no
'oner discovered than repealed; affirmed
us TO be the true stale of the relations
'tween Texas and Mexico for the last
ght years. | propose TO compare MIR.
lays iormor acts with his present opin.
MS on the supposltion that the facts re.
~ are as ne assumes them to be. Was
ERE no war between Mexico and Spain
1879, when Mr.. Clay proposed 10 pur-
lasc Texas from Mexico! Mexico was
revolving Spanish province. Spain was
tempting TO reduce her to subjugaticn,
Id was at that moment in possession OF
e strongest iortresses 10 the province,
lth SIX thousand soldiers in the field I
ne war was actually raging, and the
Danish Government protested against our
reference, alleging her ability and de. I
to reconquer Mexico.
Under these circumstances, with full
lowledg OF The existence of the war, and
The intentions OF Spain, Henry Clay as
ecretary of State, renewed his inslruc-
ons TO Mr.. Poinsett for the purchase of {
exas from Mexico.
Was that proposition an adoption of the
ar winch SPAN was then waging against
lexico2 Was il a violation of the laws
nations and of our treaty stipulaiions
lth Spain? Did Henry Clay, in the
lme of his country, commit crime of
at cnormity, and thereby disgrace the
zion, in the eyes of the whole civilized
ORD! This conclusion is inevitable, if 1
$ present position in regard to Texas is I
nable. He conyicts himself, by his own {
sIimony, of that high crime. Has he {
own himself, by his own acls, safe |
an to be intrustcd with the foreign, as i
oil as the internal, affairs Of this great t
publica il
In his speech of 1920, previously re. +
rred to, Mr.. Clay gave another reason II
: the admission of Texas into the ITniop Il