The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-11-07
Henry Clay's Explanation.


IN letter written by Mr. Clay--dated Sept
90, 1914 and addressed to the editors o
. the National Intellgencer, is inserted
partly for the qualification ola friend
but still more on the ground that as MI
Clay has been rather hardly dealt with
he is entitled to the privilege or right, o.
giving his own explanation of letters
written by himself.
''In announcing my determination to
permit no other letters to be drawn from
me on public affairs, think it right to
aiImyself of the occasion to correct the
erroneous Interpretation of one or two OF
those which | had previously written,-
Tn April last | addressed to you, from
Raleig Oh, letter in respect to the propos-
ed treaty annexing Texas to the United
States, and have since addressed two
letters to Alabama upon the same sub ect
Most UNIV arranted allegations have been
made that those letters are inconsistent
with each other, and, to make il out,
particular phrases or expressions have
been torn from their context and mean
ing attributed to me which never en-
tertained.
wish now distinctly to say that there
is not feeling, sentiment, or an opin-
ion expressed in my Raleigh letter, to
which | do not adhere. am decidedly
opposed to the immediate annexation of
Texas to the United States. think it
would be dishonorable, might involve
them in war, would be dangerous to the
integrity aud harmony ofthe Union, and,
if all these objections were removed
could not be effected, according TO any
information l possess, upon just and ad'
missible conditions.
1t was not my intention, in either Of
the two letters which addressed to AL
ALBANIA, to express any contrary opinion.
Representations had been made to me
that was considered as inaexibly oppos-
ed to the annexation of Texas under any
circumstances; and that my opposition
was so extreme, that would not waive
it, even ifthere were a general consent
to the measure, by all the States of the
Union. replied in my first letter to AL
ALBANIA, that personally | had no objection
to annexation. thought that my mean
ing was sufficiently obvious, that had
no personal, private, or individual mo-
lives for opposing, as have none for es-
pousing the measure, my judgment being
altogether influenced by general and po-
iticaI considerations, which have ever
been the guide of my public conduct.
In my second letter to Alabama, as
suming that the annexation Of Texas
might be accomplished without national
dishonor, without war, with the general
consent of the States of the Union, and
upon fair and reasonable terms, | stated
that should be glad to see it. did not
suppose that it was possible l could be
misunderstood. imagined every body
would comprehend me as intending that
whatever might be my particular views
and opinions, should be happy to see
what the whole nation might concur in
desiring under tho conditions stated
Nothing was further from my purpose
than to estimate any change of opinion
as long as any considerable and respecta-
BILE portion Of the coniederacy should
continue to stand out in opposition to the
annexation Of Texas.
In all three of my letters uponth sub
iect of Texas, | stated that annexation
was inadmissible except upon fair and
reasonable terms, if every other object
were removed In speech which ad-
dressed to the Senate ofthe United States
more than three years ago, avowed my
opposition, for the reasons there stated,
to the assumption, by the general gov.
eminent, of the debts of the several
States. 1t was hardly, therefore, to be
presumed that could be in favor of as
suming the unascertained debt Of for
eign State, with which we have no fra.
ternal ties, and whose bad faith or vo-
ation Of its engagements, can bring no
reproaches upon us.
Having thus, gentlemen, made the
apology which intended, for my oms'
sion to answer any letters of enquiry up
on public affairs, which have received;
announced my purpose to decline hence,
forward transmitting answers for pubic
cation to any such letters that may
hereafter receive; and indicated some
orthose which | have forwarded against
the erroneous constructions to which
they have been exposed, have accom-
plished the purpose of this note, and re-
misn, respectfully, your obedlent SER
, want,
HENRY CLAY.
Messrs. Gales & Seaton."