Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-10-11

of my correspondents, without any expectation on
nv part of their being deemed worthy Equalization.
In regard to those which have been presented to
the public, erroneous misconceptions have been
given 10 some Of them, which think they did not
authorize or which, at all events, were contrary to
my intentions.
In announcing my determination to permit no
other letters to be drawn from me on public affairs
think it right TO avail myself Of the occasion to
correct the erroneous Interpretation of one or two
of those which had previously written In April
last | addressed to you, from Raleigh, letter in
respect to the proposed Treaty annexing Texas to
the United States, and have since addressed two
letters to Alabama upon the same subject Most
unwarranted allegations have been made that those
letters are inconsistent with each other, and, to
make it out particular phrases or expressions have
been torn from their context, and meaning attri-
buted to me which never entertained.
| wish now distinctly TO say, that there is not a
feeling, sentiment, or an opinion expressed IN my
Raleigh letter to which do not adhere. am de-
cidedly opposed to the immediate annexation OF
Texas to the United States. | think il would be
dishonorable, might involve them in war, would be
dangerous to the integrity and harmony of the I'm
ion and if all these objections removed, could
not be effected, according to any information
possess, upon Just and admissible conditions.
1t was not my intention, in either of the two let
tiers which addressed to Alabama, to express any
contrary opinion. Representations had been made
to me- that was considered as inf1eXibly opposed
to the annexation of Texas, under any crcunstac-
es and that my opposition was so extreme that
would not waive it, even if there were a general
consent to the measure, by all the States of the I'm
ion | replied, in my first letter to Alabama that
personally had objection TO annexation
thought my meaning was sufficiently obvious that
had no PERSONAL private, or individual motives fol
opposing, as | have none for espousing, the meas
ure, my judgment being altogether influenced by
general and political considerations, which have
ever been the guide of my public conduct.
In my second letter to Alabama, assuming that
the annexation of Texas might be accomplished
without national dishonor, without war, with the
general consent of the States of the Union and up
on fair and reasonable terms, stated that should
be glad to see it. did not suppose that it was
possible | could be misunderstood. ! imagined
every body would comprehend me as intending that
whatever might be my particular views and opin-
ions, should be happy to see what the whole ma
ton might concur in desiring, under the conditions
stated Nothing was further from my purpose than
to intimate any change of opinion, as long as any
considerable and respectable portion of the Con-
federacy should continue to stand out in opposition
to the Annexation of Texas.
In all three of my letters upon the subject OF
Texas stated that annexation was inadmissable
except upon fair and reasonable terms if every 9TH
er objection were removed. In speech which
addressed to the Senate of the United States more
than three years ago, l avowed my opposition foI
the reasons there stated, to the assumption by the
General Government, of the debts of the several
States. 1t was hardly, therefore to be presumed
that could be in favor of assuming the unascer.
tanned debt ola foreign State, with which we have
no fraternal ties and whose bad faith or violation Of
its engagements can bring no reproaches upon
u.s.
Having thus, gentlemen, made the apology which
l intended, Tor my omission 10 answer any letters
Duhlir Affairs which I r1ou bou
ceived announced my purpose to decline hence
forward transmitting for publication to any
such letters that may hereafter receive and vim
dictate some of those which l have forwarded a.
Eainst the erroneous constructions to which they
have been exposed, have accomplished the pur-
pose of this, and remain,
respectfully, your
obedient servant,
II. CLAY.
Messrs. Gales g. Seaton