The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-08-29
A LETTER FROM MIR. CLAY.
AsHLANp, 27lh July, 1874

ASHLAND, 9th July, 1874.
GENTLEMEN have received your favor inform
ing me that my views as disclosed in my letter from
Raleigh on the question of the annexation of Texas,
are msconceyed, If not misrepresented in your quar-
ter and thai is supposed that have changed my
opinion from What IT was in 1919 ] end arvored to
express myself in that letter explicitly as could,
and do not think now that II can be fairly misInter-
preted.
Ia 1872 when addressed the House Of Rcpresen-
tatives the Executive had negotiated the treaty with
Spain, by which Texas was coded to that power, but
Congress had not then given any sanction to the
sion believe now, and thought them that the Urea.
y-maAing power Is not competent without the con
Of Congress- to cede away any territory be-
longing 10 the United States But Cong by repeat
ed acts bsequeny manifested its app obaton Of the
treaty and these acts rendered II as valid and ohga
tory upon the u States as II Congress had given its
assent prior the conclusion OF the treaty AT that
period of 1919, Texas as claimed by US, unpeo-
Pied No hostile incursions had been made into 1t by
citizens of the United States In 1925 and 1927 there
were but few inhabitants of Texas, consisting of
coloni.,s, planted there under the authority of Mex-
CO. At neither of the three periods above mention
ed had any State or section, in this Union, manifest
ed any opposition for Texas composing a part of IT,
IT has been said that Mr. Adams administration offer
ing to negotiate with Mexico TO Texas notwithstand
ing the existing of war between Spain and Me leo
and that could not therefore have believed that the
acquisition of Texas, at that time, would have in
voved the United States in war with Spain Hence
argued that the rat hcaon of the late treaty
could not have compromised our peace.
Mr. Adams thought il desirable to obtain Texas
Two foreign powers claimed it, Mexico was in pos
session, and Span was doing nothing to assert and
enforce her claim Her representative had even
gone so far as TO stimulate, in conventions to ac-
knowledge The Independence of Mexico, although
that convention was not ratified by Spain
Mr. Adams had right to auiho ize the negotiation
offs treaty for the acquisition of Texas with both or
either # the powers Gaming it. Ii natural that
he should bgin with that power which had the pos
session of Texas Spain had iulerposed no obstacle
she had made no declaration that she would regard
the acquisition of Texas an act of war. In point
OF fact, no overture was formally made TO Nc xlco
to purchase Texas, negotiation was opened, no
treaty was concluded. II negotiation had com
nenced, or if treat, had been signed, and spain had
protested, the prudent and cautious policy which
Characterised Mr. Adams administration would UNI
doubiedly have prompted him to quiet Spain, and ac
commodate the matter, previous TO the annexa-
ton of Texas to the United States, and withou,
plugging them In war with Spain How totally
different, are all the circumstances under which with
Mr.. Adams authority, author zsd the overture To
Mexico from those which attended the rec, nj treaty
OF Mr.. Tyler So far from Mexico being silent she
repeat d and soemely declared that she would con-
slider annexation as war with her. Texas was no
longer uninhabited country II had been wres' ed
whom went armed from he United States. The war
between Mexico and Texas had not been term mated
by any treaty of peace. Mr.. Tyler not only did not
consult Mexico but he announced that her assent to
The annexation was altogether unnecessary And he
Pocedeed to conclude treaty, embracing large e1-
tent OF territory, and numerous popu alton COM
prehend in the Texas which the United 5, ates
coded To Spain in 1879.
In the mean time, too, powerful opposition bad
arisen in the United States against the annexation OF
Texas to them Several States had declared ihroup h
their Legislatures against it, and others if not hole
sections tue Union, believed TO be adverse TO
1t. This was the opposition to the measure to W hch,
IN my Raleigh leti,r, allu led, when | spoke Of a
conslderabeand pecable portion Of the oonfede-
ray dld not refer to persons bat TO Slaes or sec
lions.
U nder such clrcums, ances ! could not but regard
the anne Iaton Of Texas, at thi. ims comp omit
ting the honor of my country involving 1t in a war
IN which he sympathies of all Christend6m wcu' d
De- against US, and endangering the integrity Of the
Unlun. thought Then, and still believe, that ma
tona disbonor, foreign war, and distraction and dvi-
sion al home too great sacrifices make for the
acquisition of Texas.
But, gentlemen, you DESTROYS OF knowing by
what policy would lie guided in the event Of my
election as Chief Magistrate OF the United States in
reference TO the question # the annexation OF Tex.
as do not lhlnk IT right 10 announce in advance
what will be the course Of future Administration
have, however, hestatiou in saying that far from
having any personal objection to the annexation OF
Texas, should be glad TO see it, without disbonor,
without war, with the common consent Of the
Union, and upon just and fair terms. | do not think
That the subject OF slavery ough to affect the ques-
ton, one way or the other. Whether Texas be in
dependent, or incorporated in the United States do
not believe IL will prolong shorten the duration
OF that institution. 1t is destined to become ex-
inc, at some distant day, in my opinion by the ope.
rahon Of the inevitable laws of population Ii
would be unwise to refuse permanent acquisition,
Which will exist as long as the globe remains on ac-
count OF temporary institution.
10 the contingency Of my election, TO which you
have adveried, # the affair of acquiring Texas should
become subject of consideration, | should be gov
erned 10y the state OF fact and The state Of public
opinion existing at the time might be called upon "a
act Above all should be governed by the para
mount duty Of preserving this Union entire, and in
harmony, regarding II as do the great guaran-
y OF every political aud public blessing under Pro-
ndence, which, as Tree people, We are permitted to
enjoy
am gentlemen respectfully,
Your obedlent servant