Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1844-05-02
CLAY ON THE TEXAS QUESTION.
RALrIen. Anril 17.h, 1874.

tufe ION AsHlan1, IN Dece mbef last, /
received various communications from
popular assemblages and private individ-
uals, requesting an expression o!my opn-
ion upon the question OF the Annexation
of Texas 10 the United States. | have
fofborne 10 reply to them, because ii was
not very convenient, during the progress
of my journey, TO do so, and for other
reasons, | did not think it proper, unne
lcessafily, to introduce at present new
element among the other exciting subjects
which agitate and engross The public mind.
The REJECTION of the overture OF Texas,
the United States. had met with general
acquescence. Nothing had since occur
red materially to vary the question. |
had seen no evidence OF desire being en-
lartained, on the part Of any considerable
| portion Of the A merIean people, that Tex
as should become an integral part OF the
United States. During my soJourn 10
New Orleans, | had, indeed. been greatly
surprised, by information which received
| from Texas, that, in the course OF the last
fall, a voluntary overture had proceeded
| from the Executive of the United States
to the Authorities ofTexas TO conclude
treaty Of Annexation; and that, in order
10 overcome the repugnance felt by any
of them to a negotiation upon the subject,
strong, and, as believed, erroneous rep
resentations had been made TO them of
state Of opinion in the Senate OF the Uni.
ted States favorable TO the ratification of
such treaty. According to these rep
respnlations, it had been asceriained that
a number of Senators, varying from thirty
five to forty-iwo, were ready to sanction
such treaty. was aware, too, that
holders Of Texas lands and Texas scrip,
aud spectators in them, were actively
engaged in promoting the object OF an
nexation. Still, | DID not believe that
any Executive OF the United States would
venture upon so grave and momentous a
proceeding, not only without any general
manifestation of public opinion 10 favor Of
1t, but in direct opposition to strong and
decided expressions Of public disapproba-
ton. Blu, it sppea.s that was mistaken.
To the asonishment of the whole nation,
we are now informed that treaty of an.
nexation has been actually concluded,
and is to be submitted to the Senate for
its consideration. The motives for my
silence, therefore, no longer remain, and
feel it to be nay duty to present en- ex.
position Of my views and opinions upon
the question, for which they may be worth,
to the public consideration. | adopt this
method as being more convenient than
several replies to the respective commu-
nicatons which | have received.
regret that have not the advantage
of view OF the treaty itself, so as 10 en-.
able me to adopt an expression Of my
opinion to the actua! conditions ana stipu-
ations which it contains. Not possess.
ing that opportunity, am constrained 10
ueat the question according 10 what
presume to be terms of the treaty. If,
without the loss Of national character,
wthou: the heard of foreign war. with
tho general concurrence of the nation,
without any danger to the integrity OF the
Union, and withou; giving an unreasona-
BILE price for Texas, the question of annex.
alton were presented, it would appear in
quite dlferen, light from that in which,
apprehend, it is now to be regarded.
The United States acquired title 20
Texas, extending, as believe, to the Rio
del Norle, by the treaty Of Louisiana
They coded and relnqushed that title 10
SPAN by the treaty OF 1919 by which
the Sabine was substituted for the Rio del
Norte as our western boundary. This
treaty was negotiated under the Admins
lralion of Mr.. Monroe, and with the con-
currence of his Cabinet, of which Messrs.
Craw ford, Calhoun, and Writ, being a
majority, all Southern gentlemen, com
posed part. When the treaty was LAID
before the House of Representatives, be.
ing a member Of that body, | expressed
the opinion, which | then entertained,
aud still hold, that Texas was sacrificed to
The acquisition Of Florida. We wanted
Florida; but thought it must, from its
position, inevitably fall into our posses
sion; that the point OF few years, sooner
or later, was of no sort # consequence,
and that in giving five millions of dollars
and Texas for II, we give more than
just equivalent. But, if we made great
sacrifice in the surrender of Texas, we
ought to take care not 10 make too great
a sacrifice in the attemp. to re-acqure it.
My opinions of tie inexpeGiency of the
treaty Of 1919 did not prevail. The
country and Congress were satisfied with
it, appropriations were made to carry ii
into effect, the line of the Sabine was re.
cognised by us as our boundary, in nego-
tations both with Spain aud Mexico, after
Mexico became independent, and measur-
es have been in actual progress TO mark
the line, from the Sabine to the RED river,
and thence to the Pacific ocean. We
have thus fairly alienaed our title TO Tex.
as, by solemn national compacts, TO the
Gllfilment of which we stand bound by
good faith and national honor. 1t is,
therefore, perfectly idle and ridiculous, ii
not dishonorabie, 10 talk Of resuming our
title TO Texas, as If we had never parted
with il. We can no more do that than
Span can resume Florida, France Lou.
lsiana, or Great Britain the thirteen colo
MES, now composing part OF the United
States.
During the administration Of Mr..
Adams, Mr.. Poinsett, Minister of the
United States at Mexico, was instructed