Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1844-09-14

Below will be found letter from Mr..
CLAY to Sobn M. Jackson and Thomas NJ
Perkins, of Alabama, in reply to one from
them, stating that his views, as expressed
in his former letter on this subject, were
misunderstood or misrepresented. The
letter also explains the course of Mr.. Ad
ans administration upon this question, and
shows wherein the circumstances existing
now differ from the condition of things
then. 1t should be read by all--whgs and
democrats
ASHLAND, 9th July, 1914.
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 misconceived, If not misrepresen.
ted in your quarter; and that il is supposed that
have changed my opinion from what it was in
1919. | endeavored TO express myself in that
letter as explicitly as could, and do not think
now that it can be fairly misnterpreted.
In 1919, when | addressed the House Of Rep.
resentatves the Executive had negotiated the
treaty with Spain, by which Texas was ceded TO
that power, but Congress had not then given any
sanction 10 the cession. | believe now, as
thought then, that the treaty making power IS not
competent without the concurrence Of Congress,
10 cede away any territory belonging 10 the Uni.
ted States But Congress, by repeated acts, sub.
sequently manifested its appreciation Of the trea-
ty; and these acts rendered it as valid and obi.
gatory upon the United States, as if Congress
had given its assent, prior 10 the conclusion Of
the treaty. AT that period Of 1919, Texas as
claimed by US, was unpeoped. No hostile in
cursions had been made into it by citizens Of the
United States. In 1925 and 1927, there were
but few inhabitants Of Texas, consisting OF some
colonists, planted there under the authority OF
Mexico. AT neither Of the three periods above
mentioned had any State or section, in this
Union, manifested any opposition to Texas be,
coming part OF it. II has been said that Mr..
Adams administration offered to negotiate with
Mexico for Texas, notwithstanding the existence
OF war between Spain and Mexico, and that it
could not therefore have believed that the acqui.
siton OF Texas, at this time, would have involved
the United States in war with Spain. Hence it
is argued that the ratification Of the late treaty
could not have compromised our peace.
Mr.. Adams though! it desirable 10 obtain Tex.
as. Two foreign powers claimed it. Mexico
was in possession, and Spain was doing nothing
to assert and enforce her claim. Her representa-.
tive had even gone so far as to stpuate, in con
vention, to acknowledge the independence Of
Mexico, although that convention was not rati
fled by Spain.
Mr. Adams had right TO authorize the nego
tation Of treaty for the acquisition Of Texas
with both or either OF the powers claiming it.
1t was natural that he should begin with tina.
power which had the possession Of Texas
Spain had nterposed no obstacle. She had made
no declaration that she would regard the acquis.
ion OF Texas as an act Of war. In point OF lact nc
overture was formally made to Mexico to pur
chase Texas, no negotiation was opened, no tIea
ty was concluded II negotiation had com
menced, or if treaty had been signed, and Spain
had protested, the prudent and cautious policy
which had characterized Mr.. Adams adminislra.
ton, would have undoubtedly prompted him &c
quiet Spain, and accommodate the matter, pre-
vous to the annexation OF Texas TO the United
States, and without plunging them into war will
Spain. How totally different are all the circum
stances under which, with Mr. Adams authority
| authorized the overture TO Mexico, from which
those attended the recent treaty OF Mr.. Tyler
So Far from Mexico being SILENT she repeatedly
soemnly declared that she would consider annex
; alton as war with her. Texas was no longer al
uninhabited country. 1t had been wrested from
the dominion OF Mexico by citizens, many o
; whom went armed from the United States. TIL
war between Mexico and Texas had not BEEF
terminated by any treaty Of peace. Mr.. lyle
not only did not consult Mexico, but he announ
ced that her assent TO the annexation was alto
gether unnecessary. And he proceeded 10 con
. clude treaty, and numerous population, no
J, comprehended in the Texas which the Unite
States coded to Spain in 1918.
In the meantime, TOO, powerful opposition
! had arisen in the United States against the ar
h nexalion OF Texas to them. Several States la
= declared, through their Legislatures, against i
,, This waS the opposition TO The measure to ,chicl
I in my Raleigh letter, alluded, aohen spoke
a considerable and respectable portion of Il
!. contederacy" did not refer to persons but
a States or sections.
Under such circumstances, could not but II
, gard the annexation Of Texas, at this time,
a compromising the honor Of my country, invol
4 ing it in war, in which the sympathies Of a
q Chrstendom would be against US, and endange
ing the integrity Of the Union, thought the,
4 and still believe, that national dishonor (oreie
, war; and distraction and division at home, wei
too great sacrifices to make for the acquisition
Texas.
OIL But, gentlemen, you are DESTROYS OF KNOWN
'e by what policy | would be guided, in the eve
{; of my election as Chief Magistrate Of the Unit
IT, States in reference 10 the annexation of Texa
T. do not think it right to announce in advanc
X what will be the course OF future administr
ton in respect 10 question with foreign powt
D. / hare, holOeUer, no hesitation in saying III
a. far from hduing any personal objection to {
=. annexation OF Teas, should be glad TO see ii.
u WITHOUT DISHONOR. WITHOUT WA
I'd WITH THE COMMON CONSENT
:. TUE Union AND TTp0N HIST AN