Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-04-30
uR cLAyoN TIE TEXAS QUESTION.

BRODHEAD, SLlDELL, and others.
MR. CLAY ON THE TEXAs QUESTION.
The following letter from Mr.. Clay to the Editors
was forwarded from Raleigh the day Of its date bu,
did not reach our hands IN time Tor pu5licat on earlier
than to-day Nat Int.
r., me Editors Of the National fnttHigeReer
RALEIGH, April II, Ie4l
Gentlemen Subsequent 10 my departure from Ash
land in December llst received varieus communl-
cations from popular assembages and private individu-
ais requesting expression OF my opinion upon the
question Of the Annexation of Texas to the United
States | have forborne 10 reply 10 them, because il
was not very convenient, during the progress of my
Journey 10 do So and for other did think
il proper unnecessarily, TO introduce at present q
new element among the other exciting subjects which
agitate and engross the public mind The rejection
oil the overture of Texas, years ago. become
annexed 10 the United States, had with general
acqulescence, Nothing had since occurred, ma,er-
ally TO vary the question. ] had evidence
Of desire being entertained, the part Of any con-
siderable portion OF the American people that Texas
should become integral part Of the United States
During my sojourn in New ORLEANS. | had indeed,
been greatly surprised, by Information which | re-
ceived from Texas, that, in the Of the last
Fall voluntary overture had proceeded FROM the Ex-
ecu,iye Of the United States to the Authorities Of
Texas to conclude Treaty Of Annexation; and that
in order overcome the repugnance felt by any of
them 10 q negotiation upon the subject strong, and, as
believed, erroneous representations had been made
10 them opinion in the Senate ofthe u S ia
voable 10 the ratification Of such Treaty Accord
in these representations, had been ascertoined
that number of Senators, varying from thrty-hv to
| forly-two were ready 10 sanction such Treaty /
was aware too that holders of Texas lands and Texas
rip, and spectators IN them, were actively engaged
in promoting the object of annexation STILL did not
believe that any Executive of the United States wsld
venture upon so grave and momen,ous roceedng,
not only without any general manifestation Of public
opinion in favor of II, but in direct opposition strong
and decided expressions of public dsapproba,ion. But
it appears that mistaken. To the astonishment
of the whole nation now informed that Treaty
of anne xaon has been actually concluded, and is to
be submitted TO the Senate for its consideration The
mot yes for my silence, therefore, no longer remain, and
feel il TO be my duty 10 present an exposition OF my
views and opinions upon the question, for what they
may be worth, to the public consideration | adopt this
method as being convenient than several replies
10 The respe communications which have received
! regret tina, have not the advantage Of view Of
the Treaty itself to enable me 10 adapt express
SION of my opinion the actual conditions and stipu-
laons which contains. Not possessing that oppor-
tunty am constrained to the question accord
ing 10 what presume to be terms OF the Treaty If,
without the loss Of national character, without the
hazard OF foreign war; with the general concurrence OF
the nation without, any danger TO the integrity Of the
u Mon, and without giving unreasonable price for
Texas the question Of annexation presented, il
would appear quite different light from that in
which, upprehend, IT is now TO be regarded.
The United Stnies acquired title to Texas, extend
inq US believe to the Rio del Norte by the treaty of
Louisiana. They coded and renquished that title to
Spain by the rea,y Of 1919, by which the Sabine was
substituted for the Rio del Norte our Western boun-
Diary. This treaty was negotiated under the Admins
,ra.ion Of Mr. Monroe, and With the concurrence OF his
Cabinet of which Mess's Crawford, Calhoun, ana
Wir,. being minority. all Southern gentlemen, COM
poseu pa,. rTnen The treaty laid before the
House of Representatives, being member of
that body. expressed the opinion which | then
entertained, and still hold, that Texas sacri-
feed to the acquisition Of Florida; wanted Flo
rda, but thought IT must, from i,s position, ne-
vitality fall into our possession that the point OF
a few years, sooner or later, of no sort Of
consequence, and that in giving five millions of dol.
lars and Texas tor II, we gave than just equl-
valent. But if We made great sacrifice in the sur
render of Texas ought take not make too
great sacrifice IN the attempt TO re-acqure it.
My opinions OF the inexPediency of the treaty OF SD
did not prevail. The country and Congress were So.
lisied with it, appropriations made to carry 1t
into effect the line of the Sabine recognised by
rs boundary, IN negotiations both with Spain and
h Mexico, after Mexico became independent, and mea-
sures have been IN actual progress 10 mark the line
from the Sabine to tile Red river, and thence to the
Pacific Ocean. We have thus fairly aenated IL
tie TO Texas, By solemn national conipac,s the fulfil
meni of which we stand bound By good faith and M
tional honor II is, therefore, perfectly idle and rld
culous It mol dshonorabe, TO Talk of resumIng title
no more do that than Spain resume Florida, France
Louisiana, Great Britain the thirteen colonies now
composing part of the United States
During the administration Of Mr.. Adams, Mr. Poin
seu, Minister Of the United States at Mexico was in.
structed by me- with the Presidents authority pro-
pose re-purchase of Texas; but he forebore tc
make overture for that purpose. Upon his return
10 The United States, he Informed me, at New Orleans
that his reason for not making it was that he kne
the purchase was wholly impracticable, and that he
have other effect than TO aggravale irrtatons, al
ready existing upon matters Of difference between the
two countries
The events which have since transpired in Texas
are well known She revol,ed against the Government
Of Mexico few TO arms, and finally fought and wor
the memorable battle Of San Jacnto, annhlating
Mexican army and making captive of the Mexican
President. The signal success OF that Revolution
greatly aided, if not wholly achieved, by citizens
the United States who had emigrated 10 Texas These
succors if they could not always be prevented by the
Government of the U. States, furnished in man
ner and to extent which brought upon us some ma
tional repronch in the eyes Of an impartial world
And, in my opinion, they impose the obligation
OF scrupuously avoiding the imPutatIon of having in
stlgaed and aided the Revolution with the ultimate
4 view Of territorial aggrandzement After The battle
Of San Jacno, the u. States recognised The ndepend
encs Of Texas 10 conformity with the principle and
practice Inch have always prevailed in their council.
of recognising The Govcrnmen de fdeto," withou,
garding the question de jurc That recognition did no,
affect impair the rights of Mexico or change the
relations which existed between her and Texas She
the contrary, has preserved all her rights and has
continued assert, and so far know yet asserts
her right TO reduce Texas to obedience, as part Of
the Republic OF Mexico. According to late intelligence
il is probable that she has agreed upon Temporary
suspension Of hos,iitiss but, that has been done,
presume it is with the purpose, upon the termination
Of the armis,ce, of renewing the and enforcing her
| rights, she considers them
This shows the present actual condition OF
Texas SO far as have information about H. IL it be
correct, Mexico has not abandoned but perseveres in
the assertion Of her rights by acua! force of arms,