Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-10-05
RICH MOND, VA.
Saturday Morning, October ., lsi4.
THE LETTER FROM II. CLAY TO c. NJ
or

OctOOer
THE LETTER FROM II. CLAY TO c. NJ
CLAY
The \. u Tribune, of Wednesday last, admits
the authenticity of this "Lei,r Lost and F6und,"
(and which we insert below) The Tribune says:
an. B. Blunt Esq, had received a letter for Cas-
sus M Clay from Hon. Willis Green al Wash
ington. which letter he left with us to be forward
ed, and that this was doubtless the letter referred
TO. We now recollect very well Mr.. Blunts
handing us letter Tor CaSsius NJ Clay, to be
sent 10 him whenever we could tell where II would
reach him. Never dreaming that it was any thing
else than an invitation 10 speak al some W ing
Meeting, we laid the letter on our table, IN the
inner Editors room OF our olhcc, 10 be lorwarGcd
as soon as we could be sure of lis reaching lis
proper destination. When we next looked for ii
/, had diSappcared-;i circumstance 10 which We
attached no Importance The next we heard was
of letter from Henry Clay 10 Cassius NJ. Clay
having been piekcd ap IN the mud in front oil
National Hall BY some Loco Foco, who, after
showing il round from clique 10 clique, andvainly
attempting TO get ii into The Evening Post and
Morning News, finally gave il publicity through
the Democrat"
Thus terminates al! doubt about tins mrNcry!-
Now look al the Janus face exhibited by the
ambitious aSpirant =
from tie " y DemocrGf, Sept 3O)
CASSIUS NJ. CLAY, AND HENRY CLAWS
LAST LETTER TO HIN.
"M,p nc (noO Cesius or ! SIM
On Saturday last, letter was published in this
paper written by Henry Clay 10 Cassius NJ. Clay
respecting the late controversy between these two
distinguished gentlemen on the Abolition question
With the publication OF that letter, the present
Editor had nothing 10 do; yet, as il is now before
The public, it becomes his duty 10 treat OF certain
subjects connected herewith
The gentleman then in charge OF the paper, ii
appears, was not satisfied OF The authenticity of
the letter; and presulning that it was another
Wing forgery, OF n weak invention of the enc
nv" he spread ii before our readers in order 10
get al the truth Of the matter.
|; tuIns ont, however, that III: letter ras and IS
genuine letter, wrattem V Henry Clay 10 Cas-
s;uS W. Gar. The objects and purposes of The
Letter are detailed in IL but as it will unqucsona
bly, create great excitement throughout the coun-
Try, and many were unable 10 see i copy OF II, we
this day repubi>h ii.
Before doing 50, however we deem il advisa-
Bile 10 reprint the letter written " Henry Clay 10
Mr. Wicklilie, on the I'll OF September, in rca-
lion 10 the position which Ca>sluS Nj. Clay had
thought proper 10 assume in behalf Of Henry Clay
on the Abolition question, and the exposition
which he has given IN various ways, of the SEN
timents of Henry Clay on the Abolition question
in general, and that OF Texas in particular.
This is the letter in question:
"AslLANp, Sept. , 1911.
"MR WrcKllrFE: The editor Of ne;shbor;ng
print, (the Kentucky Gazette, oil Lexington call!
ing my attention 10 Il letter of c. NJ. Clay. Esq,
under date o; 10Th July, 1871, and addressed 10
Col. J. }. Speed, OF Ithaca, has appealed 10 Inc,
with 50 much earnestncss aud with purpose ot
such naGecic& Sincerity 10 say whether approve
or disapprovc Of that letter, that | have not the
heart 10 deny 10 that editor The very great gratiii
cation which he vii! derive from the perasal Of
this note, especially when it gives me 50 lille
trouble 10 write IT,
"Mr c. NJ CLAWS letter was written without
my knowledge, without any consultation with
me, and without any authority from me. | never
saw it until read it in the public prints. That
gentleman is an independent citizen, having
perfect right to entertain and avow his own cpl
nions> am not responsible for them and he Is
no, for mine So Tar as he ventures IN interpret
nv feelings he has entirely miSconcc;ved them.
believe him to be equally mistaken as 10 those
in the circle OF my personal friends and nclShhors
generally.
"In my speech, addressed to the Senate OF The
10 that body, in ms address 10 Mendenhall, about
two years ago, and on various other public occa-
sioas, have fully, freely, and explicitly, avowed
my sentiments and opinions on the subjects OF the
institution of slavery and abolition. adhere 10
them. without any reservation. hare ncitter en-
tertaincG 3.0r expressed psiicy nor prrGlciy, 0ng
oiacrs And my friends and neighborS generally,
so far as have interchanged sentiments with
them. coincide entirely with inc.
"1'he sentiments and opinions, so expressed
By me, may be briefly stated 10 be-lst That
Congress has no power or authority over the in
stitrtion Of slavcry;-2l, That the existence,
maintenance and continuance OF that institution
depend exclusively upon the power and authority
OF the respective States within which IT is situated
And III That Congress cannot interfere with
slavery in the District of Columbia, without
violation OF good faith to the States OF Maryland
and Virginia. implied if not expressed, in the
terms, objects, and purposes of the grant Of ten
miles square TO the General Government.
$50 far from the success of the Whig cause
having any injurious tendency, as has been al
legged, believe it will have powerful effect in
tranquilizing and harmonizing all parts of the
Union. and in giving confidence, strength, and
security to all the great interests of our country
II hope that your editorial neishbor will be sa-
tisied And, as trust that do not cyag"erae
the pleasure which this renewed expression Of
nv views and opinions will give him. is it too
much 10 anticipate thai he will forthwith renounce
the error of his ways, and come straight Out
staunch and sterling Wing?
"Yours, respectfully,
al. CLAY"
Now this letter will serve as a key 10 the letter