Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1844-10-18
IMPORTANT LETTER FROM
HENRY CLAY.

ing letter TO the editors of the National Intel
ligencer. Its the last letter we shall probably
have from the Wing candidate for President
prior TO his election BY the People. Like every
thing from Henry Clay, this letter is frank,
manly and pointed. Irthere is any moral sense
left with the leaders of the Loco Foco party, il
will silence their calumnies against Mr.. Clay
upon the matter Of his Texas opinions.
ASHLAND, SEPT. %. 1914.
6entlemen:-Since my nomination at Balti-
more in May last, by the Wing Convention,
as a candidate for the office OF President OF the
United States, | have received many letters
1 propounding 10 me questions on public affairs,
and others may have been addressed TO me
which ! never received. To most of those
which have reached me have replied; but to
some have not, because either the subjects of
which they treated were such as that, 10 respect
to them, my opinions, thought, had been suf-
iiciently promulgated, or that they did not pos
sess, in my judgment, sufficient importance to
require an answer from me- ! desire now to
say to the public, through you that consider
ing the near approach OF the Presidential cleo
ton, shall henceforward respectfully decline
to transmit Tor publication any letters from me
in answer tn inquiries upon public matters.
After my nomination, doubted the proprie-
! w. 10 wv VI answering any lctttFS, upon
new questions of public policy. One who NAV
be candidate for the Chei Magisiracy Of The
Nation, il elected, ought Ia enter upon the dis
charge Of the high duties connected with that
Office, with his mind open and uncomnitted
upon all new questions which may arise in the
course Of its administration and ready Ia avail
himself Of all The lights which he may derive
from his Cabinet, from Congress, and, above
all from public opinion.
| III in oil No 81 a.
individuals who may think proper to address
him, he may deprive the public and himself of
the benefit Of those great guides. Entertain
ing this view, IL was my intention, alter my
nomination, TO decline answering for publica-
lion all questions that might be propounded 10
me. But, on further reflection, il appeared 20
me that if imposed this silence upon myself, I
might, contrary to the unfrm tenor of my
life, seem To be unwilling frankly and fearless
lv Ia submit my opinions TO The public judg-
meht. therefore so far drviated from my
first purpose as TO respond 10 letters addressed
10 me, making inquiries in regard to subjects
which had been much agiiated, OF the an
swers which | so transmitted, some were in
tended exclusively for the satisfaction of my
correspondents, without any expectation on
my part Of their being deemed worthy of pub
licalion. In regard IN those which have been
presented 10 the public, misconceptions and
tiIbuttuS CftnStTuCtlnnS Fave Dtcu gwen 10
some OF them which think they did not au-
thrize, or which, at all events, were contrary
10 my intentions.
Ia announcing my determination To permit
no other letters to be drawn from me on public
affairs, think it right Ia avail myself Of the
occasion 10 correct the erroneous inierpreta-
ton of one or two of those which had pre-
viousy written. In April last addressed To
you, from Raleigh, letter in respect 10 the
M 10 Eex as n The IInifad
States, and have since addressed two letters
to Alabama upon the same subject. Most un-
warranted allegations have been made that
those letters are inconsistent with each other,
aud. TO make il out, particular phrases or ex-
pressions have been turn from their context,
and meaning attributed to me which mover
entertained
wish now distinctly 10 say that there is mol
! a feeling, a sentiment, or an opinion expressed
} in my Raleigh letter to which do moi adhere.
: ! am decidedly opposed To the immediate an
nexaton of Texas To the United States.
: think II would be dishonorahe, might involve
: them in war, would be dangerous TO the in
tegrily and harmony Of the Union, and, il all
} these objections were removed, could not be
affected, according to any information pos
sess, upon just and admissible conditions.
1t was not my intention, in either Of the two
letters which ! addressed 10 Alabama, TO ex.
had been made To me that was considered as
nfexby opposed 10 the annexation of Texas
, under any circumstances; and that my opposi.
. lion was so extreme that would not waive it,
even il there were general consent 10 the
measure by all the States Of the Union. re.
piled, in my first letter to Alabama, that pei.
sonally | had no objection TO annexation.
: thought that my meaning was sufficiently OBJ
: vinus, that had no personal, private, or ind
/ x,iittal mn fur ne / have FL
espousng the measure, my judgment being
. altogether Influenced by general and polilca
considerations, which have ever been the guild,
of my public conduct.
r In my second letter to Alabama, assuming
' that the annexation Of Texss might be &C
-, compshed without national dshonor, without
war, with the general consent Of the States O
the Union, and upon fair and reasonable terms
stated that ! should be glad To see il. die
not suppose that it was possible could b,
misunderstood. Imagined every body woulC
comprehend me as intending that, whateye
might he my particular views and opinions,
should be happy TO see what the whole nalior
might concur in desiring under the condi
: lions stated Nothing was further from my
| purpose than to intimate any change Of opin
ion as long as any considerable aud respectable
portion Of The Coniederacy should continue Il
{ stand out in opposition to the annexation o
e Texas.
( In all three of my letters upon the subject o
Y Texas, | stated that annexation was inadmis
n sable except upon lair and reasonable terms, !
:. every other objection were removed. In
: speech which addressed to the Senate Of tn,
: United States more than three years ago,
r avowed my opposition, for the reasons ther,
4 stated, to The assumptions by the Genera
e Government, Of the debts of the several States
n IL was hardly, therefore, to he presumed that
hat 49, rfos