The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1844-10-17
From the National Intelligencer Dot. l.
LETTER FROM MIR CLAY,
TO THE EDITORS.

- hbHLANDj SCpt. 90 AO117
GENTLEMAN:-Since my nomination at Baltimore in
May last by the Wing Convention, as candidate for
the Office Of President OF the United States have re-
cefved many letters propounding TO me questions on
public affairs, and others may have been addressed to
me which never received. To most Of thoseR which
have reached me have replied; but 10 some IhaVe
not because either the subjects of which they treated
were such as that, in respect of them, my opinions,
thought had been sufficiently promulgated or that they
did not possess, in my Judgement sufficient importance
10 require an answer from me- desire to say to tie
public, through you that considering the near approach
othe Presidential election shal henceloward respec
fully decline to transmit for publication any letters from
me in answer to inquiries upon public mat
tiers. ..-
After my nomination. doubted the prorTiety, as
still do OF answering any letters upon new questions Of
public policy. One who may be candidate for the
Chief Magstracy OF the Nation ifeected, ought TO en-
ter upon the discharge Of the high duties connected with
that office with his mind open and uncommtted upon
all new questions which may arise in the cousre Of its
administration, and ready to avail himself Of all the
lights which he may derive from hts Cabinet from Con-
gress, and, above all, from the public opinion.
If in adoance, he should commit himself to lndvid-
uas who may think proper to address him, he may de-
prive the public and hmseof the benefit ofhose great
guides Entertaining this yiew twas my intention, at
ter my nomination, to decline answering for pubica-
tion all questions, that might be pronounced TO me-
But on further reflection it appeared to me hatf i'm
posed this silence upon myself might contrary to the
uniform tenor of my lite, seem to be unwilling frankly
and fearlessly to submit my opinions to the public judg
ment therefore so far deviaed from my first purpose
rs to respond to letters addressed to me, making nqu
lies in regato subjects which had been much agated
OF the answers which so transmitted some were in
ended exclusively for the satisfaction my correpon
dents, without any expectation on my part OF their being
deemed worthy Of publication In regard to those
which have been presented to the public misconceptions
and erroneous constructions have been given to Of
fhem which think they did not authorize, or which al
all events, were contrary to my intentions
-, In announcing my determination TO permit no other
letters to be drawn from public affairs, think il
fight to avail myseof the occasion 10 correct the elo-
Keors Interpretation OF one or two Of these which had
Previously written. In nApril last addressed to you,
from Raleigh, letter in respect to proposed treaty
annexing Texas to the United States and have since
iect Msit unwaranted allegations have been made
that those letters are Inconsistent witheach other and
10 make it out particular phrases or expressions have
been torn from their context, anda meaning attributed
10 tie which never entertained. ~
wish now distinctly to say thatS Re is not feel
ipg, sentiment, an opinion expressed in my Ra-
leigh letter to which do not adhere l am decidedly
opposed to the immediate annexation OF Texas to the
United States think would be dishonorable might
involve them in war; would be dangerous to the ntegr
" and harmony of the Union, and fall these obec-
tions were removed could not be effected according to
any information possess upon just and admissible
conditions.
It was not my Intention in either of the two letters
which addressed TO Alabama any contrary opinion
Representations had been made TO me that was con
sidered as infexbly imposed to toe annexation Tex
as under any circumstances and that my opposition
was so extreme that would not waive it. eveniflh
were general consent the measureb by all the State
Ol the Union replied in my frstlelter to Alobama
HAT personality hae no objection to annexation [