Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1844-10-26
To the Editors Of the Nat. Intelligencer'
~ AsHtArp, September 23d, 1874.

candidate Tor The once OF 1IesueHt VI tno Oh'
ted States, have received many letters pro
pounding to me questions on pubic AFFAIRS ana
others may have been addressed 10 me which
never received. To most Of those which have
reached me have replied; but 10 some have
not, because either the subjects o. which they
treated were such as that, in respect oil them,
my opinions, | thought, had been sufficiently
promulgated or that they did not possess, in my
judgment, sufficient importance to require an
answer from me. desire now to say 10 the
public, through you, that, considering the near
approach OF the Presidential election, | she'll
henceforward respectfully decline to transmit for
publication any letters from me in answer 10 in
quiries upon public matters.
After my nomination, doubled the propriety.
as i still do, OF answering any letters upon new
questions OF public policy. One who may be a
candidate for the Chief Magisracy Of the Ma.
ton, il elected, ought to enter upon the discharge
OF the high duties connected with that Office with
his mind open and uncommtted upon all new
questions which may arise in the course Of its
administration, and ready TO avail himself OF all
the lights which he may derive from his Cabinet,
from Congress, and, above all, from the public
opinion.
II, in advance, he should commit himself TO
individuals who may think proper TO address him,
he may deprive the public and himself Of the
benefit OF those great guides. Entertaining this
view, il was my intention, after my nomination
to decline answering for publication all questions
that might be propounded 10 me. But, on further
reflection, it appeared 10 me that If imposed
this silence upon myself, might, contrary to
the uniform tenor OF my life, seem to be un
willing frankly and learlessly to submit my
opinions to the public Judgment. therefore so
far deviated from my first purpose as TO respond
TO letters addressed to me. making inquiries in
regard to subjects which had been much agtated
or the answers which so transmitted, some
were intended exclusively for the satisfaction OF
my correspondents, without any expectation on
my part Of their being deemed worthy OF publ.
cation. In regard to those which have been pre-.
scented to the public, misconceptions and erro.
neous constructions have been given 10 some Of
them which | think they did not authorize, or
which, at all events, we're contrary 10 my inten.
tons.
In announcing my determination 10 permit no
other letters TO be drawn from me on public
affairs, think it right to avail myself OF the
occasion 10 correct the erroneous Interpretation
of one or two OF those which | had previously
written. In April last addressed to you. from
Raleigh a letter in respect to the proposed
treaty annexing Texas to the United States and
have since addressed two letters to Alabama
upon the same subject. Most unwarranted allie.
cations have been made that those letters are
inconsistent with each other. and, to make it
out, particular phrases or expressions have been
torn from their context and a meaning attributed
to me which | never entertained.
wish now distinctly to say that there is not a
feeling, sentiment, or an opinion expressed in
% a.nn Iatt1. - - l.
am decidedly opposed to the immediate snnexa.
ton OF Texas TO the United States. think il
would be dishonorabe, might involve them in
harmony OF the Union, and, if all these ohjec.
tons were removed, could not be effected. accord
ing to any information possess, upon Just and
admissible conditions.
1t was not my intention, in either OF the two
letters which l addressed to Alabama, 10 expires,
any contrary opinion. Representations had beer
made to me that | was considered as nhexibly
opposed TO the annexation OF Texas under any
circumstances; and that my opposition was SC
extreme that would not waive it, even il Their,
were general consent to the measure by all the
States OF the Union. replied, in my first let
ter TO Alabama. that personally had no obiec.
ton TO annexation. | thought that my meaning
was sufficiently obvious, that had no personal
private, or individual motives for opposing, as
have none for espousing the measure, my iudr
ment being altogether influenced by general ont
: political considerations, which have ever beer
T the guide OF my public conduct.
In my second letter 10 Alabama, assuming thai
the annexation Of Texas might be accomplished
without national dshonor. without war. with tn,
general consent OF the States OF the Union, an,
upon fair and reasonable terms, l stated that
should be glad TO see it. did not suppose that
it was possible could be misunderstood
+ imagined every body would comprehend me al
intending that, whatever might be my particula
views and opinions, should be happy to Sc,
what the whole nation might concur in desiring
J under the conditions stated. Nothing was furthe
=. from my purpose than to intimate any change o
opinion as long as any considerable and re
spectacle portion Of the Conlederacy should con
tnue to stand out in opposition to the annexatiol
: OF Texas.
In all three OF my letters upon the subject o
} Texas, | stated that annexation vas nadnissibl,
except upon fair and reasonable terms, il ever,
other objection were removed. In a speed
which addressed 10 the Senate Of the Uniec
States more than three years ago, avowed M
opposition, for the reasons there stated, to tn
> assumption, by the General Government, of III,
debts OF the several States. 1t was hardly, there
fore. 10 be presumed that could be in favo
Of assuming the unaScertained debt OF foreg,
State. with which we have no fraternsl ties, anc
, whose bad faith or violation OF its engagement
can bring no reproacheS upon US.
> Having thus, gentlemen, made the apolog,
which intended, for my omission to answer an,