The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-10-09
public matters.

After my nomination doubted the pro-
priety, as | still do, Of answering any let
tiers upon new questions of public policy
One who may be candidate for the Chic
Magistracy of the Nation, if elected
ought to enter upon the discharge of the
high duties connected with that office
with his mind open and uncommitted up
on all new questions which may arise in
the course of mis- administration, and ready
to avail himself of all the lights which he
may derive from his Cabinet, from Con-
gress, and, above all, from the public oPin-
ion.
If. in advance, he should commit HIM
self to individuals who may think proper
to address him, he may deprive the pub
lie aud himselfofthe benefit ofthose great
guides. Entertaining this view, it was my
intention, after my nomination, to decline
answering for publication all questions
that might be produced to me. But, on
further reflection, it appeared to me that
if imposed this silence upon myself, /
might, contrary to the uniform tenor of
my life, seem to be unwilling frankly and
fearlessly to 4hbmit my opinions to the
public judgement. 1 therefore so far
deviated from my first purpose as to re-
spend to letters addressed to me, making
inquiries in regard to subject which had
been much agitated. Of the answers
which so transmitted, some were inten-
ded exclusively for the satisfaction of my
correspondents, without any expectation
on my part of their being deemed worthy
of publication. Inregard to those which
have been presented to the public, mis-
conceptions and erroneous constructions
have been given to some of them which
/ think they did not authorize, or which,
at all events, were contrary to my inten-
tions.
In announcing my determination to per
nit no other letters to be drawn from me
on public affairs. think it right to avail
myself of the occasion to correct the er-
roneous Interpretation of one or two of
those which, had previously written. In
April last addressed to you, from Ra-
leigh, a 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, par
ticular phrases or expressions have been
torn from their context, and meaning at
attributed to me which never entertain
ed.
wish now distinctly(to say that there
is not feeling, a sentiment, or an opln-
ion expressed in my Raleigh letter to
which do not adhere. am decidedly
opposed to the immediate annexation of
Texas to the United States. think it
would be dishonorable, might involve
them in war, would be dangerous to the
integrity and harmony of the Union, and,
if all these objections were removed, could
not be effected, according to any informa-
ton / possess, upon Just and admissible
conditions.
1t was not my intention, in either of the
two letters which addressed to Alabama,
to express any contrary opinion. Repre-
sentations had been made to me that
was considered as inhexibly opposed to
the annexation of Texas under any, cir
cumstances and that my opposition was
so extreme that | would not waive il, even
ifthere were general consent TO the mea-
sure BY all the States of the Union. |
replied, in my first letter to Alabama, that
personally had no objection to annexa-
ton. | thought that my meaning was
sufficiently obvious, that had no personal,
private or individual motives for opposing,
as have none for espousing, the measure,
my judgment being altogether influenced
by general and political considerations,
which have ever been the guide ofmy pub
lie conduct.
In my second letter TO Alabama, ass
uming that the Annexation of Texas
might be accomplished without national
dishonor, without war, with the general
consent of the States of the Union, and !
upon fair and reasonable terms, stated |
that | should be glad to see it. | did not
suppose that it was possible could be
misunderstood. j imagined every body
would comprehend me as intending that,
whatever might be my particular views
and opinions, l should be happy to see
what the whole nation might concur in
desiring under the conditions stated.
Nothing was further from my purpose than
to estimate any change ofopinion as long
as any considerable and respectable por-
ton of the Confederacy should continue to
stand out in opposition to the Annexation
of Texas.
In all these ofmy letters upon the SUBJ
ject ofTexas stated that Annexation was
inadmissiable except upon fair and reas-
enable terms, if every other object were
removed. In speech which l addressed
to the Senate Of the Uuited States more
than three years ago, l ayowed my oppo-
sition, for the resons there stated to, the
assumption, by the General Government,
of the debts of the sevrel States. it was
hardly, therefore, to be presumed that
could be in favor of assuming the unas-
certained debt of foreign State, with
which we have no fraternal ties, and whose
bad faith or violation of its engagements
can bring no reproaches upon us.
Having thus, gentlemen. made the