Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1844-09-13
LETTER FROM MIR. CLAY ON
ANNEXATION.
We find the following letter from Mr.. Clay
in the North .alabamian of the 9Th ut.
ASHLAND, July 81, 1914.

Annexation OF ltAdS, ulC mioOOhSS'SN'
misrepresented in your quarter; and that u Is
supposed that | have changed my opinion
from what il was in 1919. endeavored TO
express myself in that letter as explicitly as |
could, and do not think now that 1t can be
fairly misinterpreted.
In 1919 when I addressed the House of
Representatives, the Executive had negotiated
the treaty with Spain, by which Texas was
ceded TO that power, but Congress had not
then given any sanction to The cesson. >, J pc
lieye now, and thought then, that the Urea
ty-making power is not competent, without
the concurrence of Congress, to cede away any
Territory belonging to the United States
Congress, by repeated acts, subsequently man,
ifested its appreciation OF the treaty ana
these acts rendered it as valid and obligatory
upon the United States, as if Congress had
given its assent, prior TO the conclusion oil the
treaty. At that period of 1919, Texas, as
claimed by us. was unpeopled. No hostile IN
cursons had been made into it by citizens OF
the United States In 1925 and 1927, there
were but few inhabitants of Texas, consisting
of some colonists, planted there under the au-
thority Of Mexico.
At neither of the three periods above mem
toned had any State or section, IN this Union,
manifested any opposition to Texas composing
a part of it, 1t has been said that Mr.. Adams
administration offered to negotiate with Mexi-
co for Texas, notwithstanding the existence
of war between Spain and Mexico, and that
il could not therefore have believed that the
ACQUISITION Of Texas, at that time, would have
involved the United States in war with Spain.
Hence il is argued that the ratification oil the
late treaty could not have compromised our
peace.
Mr.. Adams thought it desirable to obtain
Texas. Two foreign powers claimed it. Mex-
co was in possession, and Spain was doing
nothing to assert and enforce her claim. Her
representative had even gone so far as to sip-
ulate, in a convention, TO acknowledge the IN
dependence OF Mexico, although that conven-
ton was not ratified by Spain.
Mr.. Adams had RICH; 10 authorize the ne
potstion of a treaty for the acquisition OF
Texas with both or either of the powers claim
ing it, Ii was natural that he should begin
with that power which had the possession OF
Texas. Spain had interposed no obstacle.-l
She had made no declaration that she would
regard the acquisition OF Texas as dn act oil
war. In point of fact, no overture was Tor
mally made to Mexico to purchase Texas, no
negotiation was opened, no treaty was con-
cuded. lf negotiation had commenced, or
if treaty had been signed, and Spain had
protested, the prudent and cautious policy
which characterized Mr.. Adams administra-
dion, would undoubtedly have prompted him
to quiet Spain, and accommodate the matter,
previous to the annexation of Texas to the
United States, and without plunging them in
war with Spain. How totally different are all
the circumstances under which, with Mr..
Adams's authority, authorized the overture
TO Mexico from those which attended the re-
cent treaty of Mr.. Tyerl
So far from Mexico being silent, she re-
peatedly and solemnly declared that she would
consider annexation as war with her. Texas
was no longer an uninhabited country. IL mad
been wrested from the dominion OF Mexico by
many Of whom went armed from The
United States. The war between Mexico
and Texas had not been terminated by any
treaty of peace. Mr. Tyler not only did not
consult Mexico, but he announced that her
assent to the annexation was altogether un-
necessary. As he proceeded TO conclude
treaty, embracing a large extent OF territory,
and numerous population, not comprehended
in the Texas which the United States coded to
Spain in 1919. Fq g.
In the mean time, too, powerful opposition
had arisen in the United States against the an
nexation Of Texas TO them. Several States
had declared, through their Legislatures, a.
painst il, and Others, f not whole sections OF
the Union, were believed TO be adverse TO it,
This was the opposition TO the measure, to
which, in my Raleigh letter, ! alluded, when
spoke of considerable aud respectable portion
OF the confederacy,' did not refer TO persons
but to States OF sections.
Under such circumstances could not OUT
regard the Annexation ol.Iexas, al lh's l'ue'
as compromising the honor OF my county III.
volving it in war, in which the sympath'es oil
all Christendom would be against US, ana en-
dangering the integrity oil the onlon: !
Thought then, and still believe, that National
dishonor, foreign war, and distraction and d.
vision at home were too great sacrlhces TO
make for the acquisition OF Texas
But, gentlemen, you are deslrous OF know
ing by what policy would be guided, IN .he