Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1844-08-17
From the Tuscaloosa Monitor.
LETTER FROM MR.. CLAY.

LIE Gh NUN MIN OhIthi'
Believing that Mr.. Clay had been misunder'
stood or grossly misrepresented, in regard to
portion OF his Texas letter, we noticed the sub
ject in the Monitor OF the 18th ult. We then
said:
at has been falsely charged by his opponents,
that Mr.. Clay addressed himself for support, to
the abolitonists Of the north, in the following
passage of his letter:
al do not think that Texas ought to be re.
ceived into The Union, as an integral part Of it,
in decided opposition TO the wishes OF a ConSid
cradle and respectable portion. of The confed
erdcy."
After alluding TO another portion OF his letter,
which taken in competition with the above,
showed that he referred to the States, and not to
the people OF the confederacy, we stated that
Mr.. Clay's meaning was, THAT if any 'consid-
cradle and respectable number of States were
to assume an attitude threatening the integrity of,
or likely to dissolve the Union rather than admit
Texas--then, with such prospect, annexation
ought to be abandoned to preserve the Unon.'"
We forwarded to Mr.. Clay copy of the
Monitor containing the. article, and also note
respectfully calling his attention to it. His reply
puts an end, at once, to all speculation on the
subject:
ASHLAND, July ], 1874
My DEAR SIR:-l received and thank you
for your friendly letter, and the copy Of the
Monitor. You have Justly conceived my mean
ing, when | referred in my Texas letter, to a
considerable and respectable portion of the con-
tederacy. And you might have strengthened your
construction of the paragraph, by reference to
the fact that, at the date Of my letter, the State
OF Ohio, Vermont and Massachusetts had, al
most unanimously, decided against annexation;
the Legislature OF Georgia had declined to re.
commend it, and other States were believed to
be adverse 10 the measure. As TO the idea OF
my counting the Abotionsts it is perfectly
absurd. No man in the United States has been
half as much abused by them as | have been.
consider the Union great political partner.
ship; and that new members ought not to be ad
mtted into the concern at the imminent hazard
Of its dissolution. Personally, could have no
objection to the annexation Of Texas; but Ger.
tainly would be unwilling to see the existing
Union dissolved or seriously jeoparded for the
sake of acquiring Texas. II any one desires to
know the leading and paramount objects Of my
public life, the preservation of this Union will
furnish him the key.
From the developments now being made in
South Carolina, it is perfectly manifest that
party exists in that State seeking dissolution
of the Union, and for that purp pose employing
the pretext of the rejection of Mr.. Tyler's abom.
Unable treaty. South Carolina, being surrounded
by slave States, would, in the event Of dssolu.
ton OF the Union, suffer only comparative evils;
but it is otherwise with Kentucky. She has the
boundary OF the Ohio extending five hundred
miles on three free States. What would her
condition be in the event Of the greatest calamity
that could befall this nation?
In Kentucky, the Texas question will do the
Wing cause no prejudice. am glad to per.
ceive, in the proceedings of the Clay Club of
Tuscaloosa, similar belief expressed as to
Alabama. 1t was bubble, blown up by Mr..
Tyle in the most exceptionable manner. for
sinister purposes, and its bursting has injured
nobody but Mr.. Van Buren,.
Retaining an agreeable recollection Of the
pleasure which | derived from forming your &C.
q!uanlance last Spring. remain your friend and
obedient servant, H. CLAY.
STEPHEN F. MILLER, Esq, Tuscaloosa, Ala.