Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1844-09-02

We indebted 10 orr worthy friend, John Nj. Jack
son Esq, OF Aouon 1r the subj lined very Interesting
letter from Mr lay, which has been handed for pub
licalion. Il was drawn from him IN reply to letter
written him by Mr.. Jackson aud +. NJ Peters. Esq.
touching certain mailerscpuaeced with The annexation
question. lie has answered them in spirit Of frank
ness truly Characteristic u the man:
ASHLAND, 9Th July. 1914.
tentieinenI have received yodr favor inlormlng me
that my views disclosed 10 my tticr from Raleigh
ceyed II mol aiseprcsenied IN your qhariet, and that It
Is suppased tai have changed my opinion i0m what
it was in 1919 oadoayored 10 express myself ~ thai
letter explicitly as ! could. and do moi think
that it can be fairly mlsinierpreled.
In 1919, when add essed the lIooee Of Representa-
tiyes, the Executive had negotiated the treaty with
Spain by which Texas coded 10 that power but
Congress he'd no then given any sanction 10 the cesson
Il believe now, as thought then, that The Treaty
king powet IL moi competent without the Of
Congress To eede away any Irnilofy belonging 70 The
United States. But Congress, by repeated acs, sub
sequeutly manifested MS appreciation II tho treaty; aud
these acts rendered II valid aud obligatory upon The
L. States. II Congress had given lis assem-, prior
the conclusion OF he treaty. At that period Of 1872
Texas claimed by Us. was nnpcoped No hostile ia
cursons had been made into il by citizens OF The United
States. In Ie25 and ls21 there were but few inhab
lanis IN Texas, consisting Of some eoonss planted there
under the authority Of Mexico. Al neither Of the three
periods above mentioned had any State seption. in
this Union. manifested any opposition 10 Texas eumpo
sing part Of II. II has becn said that al Adamss nd
minstralon offered 10 negotiate with Mexico ior Iexas
notwithstanding the existence Ola war between Spain
and Mexico and that could therefore have heley.
ed that The acquisition Of Texas at that iimo would have
Involved the L. States IN war with Span.--l lence II is
argued thai the ratification OF the late treaty could
have compounded uur peace.
Mr. Adams thought II desirable TO obtain Texas. Two
foreign powcfs claimed II - Me, leo in possesson
aud SPAN was doing nothing 10 assert aud enforce her
claim Her representatives had gone So FAR as TO
stipulae, IN convention. 10 acknowledge the Indopcn
Deuce Of Mexico, although that convention not ra
fed by Spain
MI Adams had right to authorize the negotiation of
treaty for thn acquisition OF Texas with both or either
ol the pawers claiming IT, II natural that he should
begin with that power which had The possessi N OF Tex
as. Spain had inerpused no obstacle She had made
no declaration that she would regard he acquisition of
Texas ~ ACT Of In point OF fact no overture
was formally made to Mexico 10 purchase Texas, no
negotiation was opened treaty was concluded. II
NEGOTIATION had commenced II treaty had been signed
and SPAN had protested, the prudent and cautious po
cy which characterized Mr. Adams's administration
would undoubtedly have prompted him 10 quiet SPAIN
and accommodate the matter, previous Tho annexa-
ton OF Texas 10 the l.. States, and without plunulng
them ~ war with spain. How totally different arc all
the circumstances under which, with Mr. Adams au-
hnriy,l authorized The overture 10 Mexico, from hose
which attended the recent treaty Of Mr. Tyluf 80 far
from Mexico being silent. she repeatedly and eolemnly
declared that she would consider annexation as war with
her Texas was 10 logger an u4Aphabiled country. II
lqd been wresled from The dominion Of Mexico by eli
zena, many Of whom went armed from The L. States
The war between Mexico and Texas had not been ter
minated by any treaty Of Peace Mr. Tyler not only
did not consult Mexloo, but he announced that hen assent
to the nunrXaion altogether unnecessary. And he
proceeded To conclude Treaty, enhancing lar.e "a
tenl d territory, and humorous population. com
pretended ia the 'lexas which tho / States crded IA
Smin in 1919
~ the mean time too a powerful opposition had ari-
srn IA The L States against the annexation OF Texas to
ihem. Several States had declared, through their I.e
gsaturnS, agl st IT, and others. II not whole seoots of
Tue bnlon, Wofc believed 10 be adverse 10 IT, This was
The opposill IN the mcasnre, 10 which in my RALEIGH
letter alluded, when spoke Of "a considerable aud re-
sPecl1bo portion ut the cogffdrracy" did not refer TO
persons, but to States or sections
Under such circumstances, could not but regard the
annexation oil Texas. nj this ime compromising the
honor Oh my country. Involving il IN war in which tho
sympalhes Of all chrisendom would be against u.s. and
eodangerng the integrity of the Union. thought then
and s'l believe, tia, national dshanaT, foreign war
aud distraction aud division at home were loo great sa
cfilees 10 make for the acquisition Of Texas
But, gentlemen, you DESTROYS of knowing bv what
policy would be guided in the event my election as
Chief Magistrate Of the Uuited States in reference 10
tho question o the annexation Of Texas do not think
right 10 ann7nnce. IN advance what will be the course
%, Nlufe administration IN respect 10 question with
Foreign power. have, however no hesitation in sny
annexation OF Texas should be glad To see IT, with
unt dlshonnr, without war. with the common conscnt
o me Union, and upon just aud fair terms. | do not
thihk that the subject Of slavery ought To affect the cues
Ton, one way or the other Whether Texas be indie
pendent, or incorporated in the United States do not
believe 1t VIII probing shorten the duration of that in
slllolnn. II Is destined become extinct a, some
distant day. IN my opnon, by the operation OF The inevi
table laws OF population. II would be onwise To refuse
permanent acquisition which will exist as long as the
globe remains, ON account Of temporary institution
In The contingency Of my election. to which You have
advered 1.-THE ALTAR OF acquiring Texas should become
subject OF consideration should be governed by the
state OF laeis aud the state of public opinion existing
the time might be called upon 10 act Above ali. |
should he governed by the paramount duty OF preserving
'his union entire, aud in harmony, regarding IL as do
as the great guaranty oi every political and public bes
snug un Ter Providence, which, as free people, we are
permitted TO enjoy.
an, gentlemen respectfully,
Your obedienl servant,
ii. CLAY.
.1icsss Thomas NJ Peters
and John NJ Jackson.