Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1844-09-12
A LErrER FRom MIR. CLAY.

gentlemen-of Alabama re take from The North 4
Alabamian Of he l6lh uliino. i viii be found
70 be explicit and full on the subject Of The an
nexasion Of rexas-a subject upon which Mr..
Clay had previously declared himself, with |
eieafness and emphasis which seemed to re-
1ulEe no farther elueicanon.
The reference IN the letter 10 the debates Of
1873 and 10 The associations Of 1927, 10 ftla-
ion 10 Texas, will show the difference between
he question nov raised aud The one which en-
gagged the alsentioa Of the Government thea.
Me-. Gays course on those occasions, as Il pre-
sent was opeDs direct and patriotic Bah. Pat.
- Ashland, q JnIy, lsll.
GENTLEMEN 81 have received YOUR
favor informing me that my views, as dis
closed in my letter from Raleigh, on the
question OF the Annexation Of Texas. are
misconeeived. II not misrepresenied, in
your quarter and that il is supposed that
| have changed ny opinion iron what il
was 10 1919. | endeavored TO express
myself in that letter as explicitly as |
could. ard DO not think now that It can
be fairly misinterpresed -
In 1919, when addressed the House
oil Representatives, the Executive bad
Negotiated the treaty with Spain. by which
Texas was coded TO that power. but Con
grsss had not then given any sanction to
the eessicn. believe now. and thought
then, that The Treaty. maxim power is not
competent. without the concurrence Of
Congress. to cedeaway any Territory be.
longing TO the Uaited States. But Con-
gress, BY repeated acts. subsequently N ami
iesied its appreciation Of the treaty; and
these acts rendefedit as valid and obliga-
tory upon the United States, as if Con.
gress had given lis assent pricr to The
conclusion Of the treaty. AT that period
Of 1919. Texas, as claimed by Us, was
unpeopled. No hostile incursions had
been made into it by citizens of the Unit
ed States. In 1925 and 1927, there were
but few inhabitants OF Texas, consisting
Of some colonists. planted there under tie
authority OF Mexico. At neither of the
three periods allowed mentioned had any
State or section. in this Union. manifested
any opposition to Texas composing part
Of i. II has been said that MIR. Adams
Administration offered 10 negotiate with
Mexico for Texas, Notwithstanding the
existence OF a war between Spain and
Mexico. and that il could not therefore
have believed lhstth acquisition Of Tex
as, at that time, would have involved the
United States id war with Spain. Hence
il is argued that the ratification Of the late
treaty could moi have compromised out
peace.
Mr.. Adams thought il desirable 80 OBJ.
tain Texas. Two foreign powers claimed
it. Mexico was in possession, and Spain
was doing nothing 10 assert and enforce
her claim. Her representative had even
gone so far as 10 stipulate. in convention,
10 acknowledge the Independence Of
Ne xico. although that convention was moi
ratified by Spain.
Mr. Adams had right to1authorize the
negotiation Of treaty for The acquisition
of Texas witHboth or either Of the pow
ers claiming 1t. 1t was natural that be
should begin with that power which had
the possession Of Texas. Spain had in
terposed % obstacle. She had made nc
declaration that she would regard the ac-
qnisiton OF Texas an act OF war In
point OF fact. no overture was formally
made TO Mexico 10 purchase Pexas, nc
negotiation was opened, nofreaty was
concluded. II negotiation had com.
menced. or il treaty bad been signed
rod |Ssssi.S. .hs9.aSatested the prudent anl
have prompted hipIi 10 quiet Spain, 10 &C.
commodaie the matter previous to the 40
nexstion Of Texas 10 The United States, and
without plHnging Them in war with Spain
How totally different ale all the circun-
stances under which, with MI. Adams
authority, authorised the overture tc
Mexico, from those which attended the
recent treatys OF Mr.. Tyler So far from
Mexico being silent. she repeatedly and
solemnly declared that she would consid.
er annexation as war with her. Tex,
was no longer an uninhabited country
| III had been wrested from the dominion Of
Mexico by citizens. many of whom wen
armed from the United States. The wal
between Mexico and Texas bad not been
Terminated by any treaty Of Peace. Mr.
Tyler not only did not consult Mexico, but
he announced that her assent 10 the annex.
alton was altogether unnecessary. And
he proceeded 70 conclude treaty, EN-.
bracing large extent Of Territory. and
a numerous population, not comprehend
ed in the Texas which the United States
coded 10 Spain 10 1919.
In the mean time, too, apowerful oppo
sition had arisen in the United Suites a.
gainst the annexation Of Texas 10 them.
Several states bad declared, through their
legislatures, against it. and others, il moi
whole sections Of the Union, were DO
lieved to be adverse TO il. This vas the
opposition TO the measure. 10 WHICH 10
my Raleigh letter. alluded. when Spoke
OF considerable and respectable portion
Of the Confectionery / did moi refer TO
persons. but 10 States OF sections.
Under such circumstances. could not
but regard the annexation sof Texas. al
this time. as conpromi;ting the honor of
my country involving ii 10 a war. 10
which the(sympathies OF all Chrislendom
would be against US. and endangering The
integrity OF the Union. | thought then,
and sill believe. that national dishonor,
foreign war, add distraction and division
al home, were too great sacrifices to make
for the acquisition Of Fexas.
But, gentlemen, you are DESTROYS OF
knowing By what policy | would guided,
in the event Of my election as Chief Ma
gisira,e Of the United States, 10 reference
to the question Of the annexation Of Tex
as. / do not think il RICH. to announce in