The St. Landry whig., 1844-09-12
ANOTHER LETTER FROM MR.. CLAY.

* A
forming me that my views. as disclosed in my
letter from Raleigh, on the question of annexa-
1 ton of Texas, are misconceived, ifnot misrepre-
scented in your quarter; and that it is supposed
that / have changed Try opinion from what it
was in 1919. | endebEored to express myself
in that letter as explicitly as | could, and do
not think now that it CAY be fairly misrcpresent-
ed.
In 1919. when add ed the House of Re-
representatives., the Execn0 Nh had negotiated the
treaty with Spain, by whira Texas was ceded to
that power, but Congress had not then given any
r sanction to the ~cession. | believe now, as
: thought then, that the Treaty-making-power is
not competent, without the concurrence OF Con-
gress, to cede away any territory belonging to
: the United States. But Congress, by repeated
acts, subsequently manifested its appreciation Of
the treaty and these aSta rendered it as valid
and obligatory upon the United States, as IT
Congress had given its assent, prior to the con-
clusion of the treaty. At that period OF lsl9,
Texas as claimed by us, was unpeopled. No
hostile incursions had been made into it by citi-
zens of the United States. In 1926 and 1927,
there were but few inhabitants Of Texas, con-
sisting of some c~olonists, planted there under the
authofity of Mexico. At neither of the three
periods above mentioned had any State or Sec
SSAA9 - thHo OLhoiAt Nht
Texas composing a part of it. 1t has been said
that Mr.. Adams administration offered to nego-
tate with Mexico for Texas, Notwithstanding the
! existence of war between Spain and Mexico,
Il and that it could not therefore have believed that
the acquisition of Texas, at that wouldhaye
involved the United Statesi in war withISpaln.-
Hence it is argued that the ratification of the
late treaty could not have compromised our
peace.
Mr.. Adams thought it desirable to obtain Tex
as. Two foreign powers claimed it. Mexico
was in possession; and Spain was doing nothing
to assert and enforce her claim. Her represen-
tative had even gone SO far as to stipulate, in a
convention, to acknowledge the independence of
Mexico, although that convention was not rati-
fed by Spain.
Mr.. Adams had a right to authorize the nego-
%tiation ola treaty for the acquisition Of Texas
with both or either of the powers c%iaitaing it.
1t was natural that he should begin with that
power which had the possession of Texas
Spain had interposed no obstacle. She had
made no declaration thatshe would regard the
acquisition of Texas as an act of war. In point
of fact, no overture was formally made to Mexi-
CO to purchase TT9as, no negotiation was open
ed, no treaty was concluded. If a negotiation
had commgonfr9e q aft "a treaty had been signed,
and SPAN of hydrogsted, the prudent and eau
Itious Ps4sthnohlaze characterized Mr., Adams
administration, woGv undoubtedly have prompt
ed him to quiet Spin, and accommodate the
matter, previous to yqe annexation of Texas to
the United States, ycd without plunging themin
war witty Spain. }esow totally different are all
the circumstencesIAde which with Mr.. Adams
authority, | authorize the overture to Mexico,
from those which attended the recent treaty of
Mr.. Tyler! So far from Mexico being silent,
she repeatedly and ~solemnly declared that she
would consider annexation as war with her.
Texas was no longer an uninhabited country.-
1t had been wrested from the dominion of Mexi.
CO by citizens, many ofwhom went armed from
the U. States. The war between Mexico and
Texas had not been terminated by any treaty of
peace. MIR. Tyler not only did not consult Mex-
CO, but he announced that her assent to the an
~ne2ation was altogether unnecessary. And he
proceeded to conclude a treaty, embracing a
large extent of territory, and a numerous popu-
@lation, not comprehended in the Texas which
the United States ceded to Spain in 1919.
In the meantime too, a powerful opposition
had arisen in the United States against the an
~nexation of Texas to them. Several States had
declared through their Legislatures, against it
and others, if not whole sections of the Union,
were believed toll adverse to it. This was the
opposition ia. the measure, to which, in my Ra
leigh letter, | alluded, when | spoke ola 'consid-
cradle and respectable portion ofthe confedera.
cy.' | did not refer to persons, but to States or
sections.
Under such circumstances, | could not but re-
gard the annexation Of Texas, at this time, as
compromising the honor ofmy country, involy.
ing it in a war, in which the sympathies of all
christendom would be against us, and endanper.
ing the integrity of the Union. I thought then,
and still believe, that national dishonor, foreien
war, and distraction and division at home, were
too great sacrifices to make for the acquisition
of Texas.
But, gentlemen, you are DESTROYS of knowing
BY what policy would be guided, in the event
OF my election as Chief Magistrate ofthe United
states, IN reference to the question of the an
%nexation of Texas. | do not think it right to an
nounce in advance, what will be the course ola
future administration in respect 10 a question
with a Foreign power. | have, However, no
hesitation in saying that, far from having any
personal objection to the annexation ofTexas,
should be glad to see it without dishonor-with
oat WARMTH the common consent ofthe Union.
and upon just and fairterms. | do not think that
the subject of slavery ought to affect the cues.
hol~ one way orthe other. Whether Texas be
independent, or Incorporated in the u. States.
do not believe it will prolong or shorten the du.
ration of that institution. 1t is destined to be.
come extinct, at some distant day, in my opinion.
by the operation of the inevitable laws of popu.
%lation. 1t would be unwise to refuse a perma.
nent acquisition, which win exist as long as the
globe remains. on account ola temporary insti.
tuition.
In the contingency of my election, to which
you have adverted, if the affair ofacquiring Tex.
as should become a subject of consideration. |
would be governed by the state of fact, and the
state of public opinion existing at the time |
might be called upon TO act. Above all. / should