Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1844-10-18

no other letters to be drawn from me on pub
tic affairs, think it right to avail myself of the
occasion to correct the erroneous interpreta-
ton Of one or two of those which had previ-
ously written. In April last l addressed TO
you, from Raleigh, 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 un-
warranted allegations have been made that
those letters are inconsistent with each other,
and, to make it out, particular phrases or ex-
pressions have been torn from their context,
and meaning attributed to me which never
entertained.
wish how distinctly to say. that there is
not feeling, sentiment, or an opinion ex-
pressed in my Raleigh letter to which do
not adhere. / am decidedly opposed to the
immediate annexation Of Texas to the United
States. l think it would be dishenorable,
might involve them in war, would be danger
Gus to the integrity and harmony of the Un-
ion, snd, if all these objections were removed,
could not be effected, according to any infor.
nation possess, upon just and admissible
conditions.
1t was not my intention. in either Of the
two letters which l addressed to Alabama, to
express any contrary opinion. Representa-
tons had been made to me that was consid-
cred as inhexibly opposed to the annexation
OF Texas under any circumstances; and that
my opposition was SO extreme that would not
waive it, even if there were general consent
to the measure by all the States Of the Union.
l replied, in my first letter to Alabama, that
personally had no objection to annexation.
l thought that my meaning was sufficiently
obvious, that had no personal, private, or in
dividual motives for opposing, as have none
for espousing the measure, my judgment be.
ing altogether influenced by general and poll
teal considerations, which have ever been the
guide of my public conduct.
In my second letter to Alabama, assuming
that the annexation of Texas might be accom-.
pllshed without national dishonor, without
war, with the general consent of the States OF
the Union, and upon fair and reasonable terms,
not suppose that it was possible l could be
misunderstood. I imagined every body
would comprehend me as intending that
whatever might be my particular views and
opinions, I 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 intimate any change
of opinion as long as any considerable and re
spectacle portion of the Confederacy shoule
continue to stand out in opposition to the an
nexation of Texas.
In all three of my letters upon the subject o
Texas, stated, that annexation was inadmis
sible, except upon fair and reasonable terms
if every other objection were removed. In
speech which addressed to the Senate ofthe
United States more than three years ago, / a
vowed my opposition. for the reasons there
stated, to the assumption, by the General Go
vernment, of the debts of the several States
1t was hardly, therefore, to be presumed, tina
| could be in favor of assuming the unascer
tanned debt of a forei gn State, with which WI
have no fraternal ties, and whose bad faith o
violation of its engagements can bring no re
proaches upon US.
Having thus, gentlemen, made the apolog,
which intended, for my omission to answe
any letters of inquiry upon public affairs which
| may have received, announced ny purpose
to decline henceforward transmitting answers
for publication any such letters that / may
hereafter receive; and vindicated some of thos,
which have forwarded, against the erroneous
constructions to which they have been expo
sed, have accomplished the purpose Of this
note, and remain, respectfully, your obedien
lservant, II. CLAY.
Messrs. GALES & SEAToN.