The Arkansas banner., 1844-10-23
From He Neu Fork Democyot
CASSIUS M. CLAY AND HENRY. HENRY rr Av,
 LAST LETTER TO HIM.

4f1t "ii't04l o} iithF} Clay 10 OaSSItlS M. Clay, respecting the late controversy be- tween these two distinguished gentlemen on the Abolition Question With the publication ot that letter the present editor had notbinp to do; yet, as Ii is now before the public. f becomes his duty to treat of certain subjects connected herewith.
 ne gentleman then in charge of the paper, It appears, was not satisfied of the authenticity of the letter; and presuming that 1t was an- other whig forgery, or ca weak invention of the enemy" he spread it before our readers. Tn order to get at the truth of the matter.
 It turns out, however, THE LETTER WAS AND IS GENUINE LETTER, WRITTEN BY HENRY CLAY TO CAsslUs M. CLAY The objects and purposes of the letter are detailed m 1t; but as 1t will unquestionablv create great excitement throughout the country. and many were unable to see a copy of it, we this day republish if.
 Before doing so, however we deem it ad- .vlsable to reprint the letter written by Henry Clay to Mir Wicklifie, on the 2d of Sept, Tn relation to theposition which Cassius NJ. Clay had thought proper to assume in behalf of Henry Clay on the Abolition Question, and the exposition which he has given, in va rious ways, of the sentiments of Henry Clay on the Abolition Question, in general, and that of Texas in particular
 This is the letter in question:
 ASHLAND Sept ?. l8ii.
 MR. W1cKLIFFE The editor of a neicIl- boring print, the Kentucky Gazette, of Lex mgton,4 calling my attention to letter of c. M. Clay, Esq, under date of 10th July, 1914, and addressed to Col. J. J Speed of ithica, has appealed to me, with so much earnest ness, and with a purpose of such unaffected sincerity 10 say whether approve or disap- prove of that letter, that have not the heart to deny 10 that editor the very great gratiG- cation which he will derive from the perusal of this note, especially when 1t gives me so little trouble to write 1t
 NIT. C. M. Clay's letter was written with out my knowledge, and without any consul tatlon with me, and without any authority from me. l never saw it until read 1t in the public prints. That gentleman is an in- dependent citizen, having perfect right to entertain and aVow his own opinions. l am not responsible for them, and he is not for mine. So far as he ventures to interpret my feelings, he has entirely misconeeived them 1 believe him to be equally mistaken as 10 those in the circle of my personal friends and neighbors.generally. ly.
 h my speech, addressed to the Senate of the United States, and in resolutions which l l offered to that body, in my address to Men ! denhall, about two years ago, and on various other public occasions, l. have fully, freely,
 
 opinions on the subjects of the institution of slavery and abolition. ] adhere to them, without any reservation: I hare neither en- nor expressed, p4bkcig nor pfirate- l, any others. And my friends and neigh bors generally, so far as have interchanged [ sentiments with them, coincide entirely with [ me
 The sentiments and opinions, so expressed by me, may be briefly stated to be, lst That | Congress had no power or authority over the institution of slavery. 2d. That the exist ence, maintenance and continuance of that in- stitntion depend exclusively upon the power and authority of the respective States within [ which its situated, And 3d. That Congress cannot interfere with slavery in the District of Columbia, without violation Of good faith f to the States of Maryland and Virginia, i'm piled, if not expressed, in the terms, objects, and purposes ofthe grant of ten miles square to the general government
 So far from the success of the whig cause having any injurious tendency, as has been I alleged, believe 1t will have powerful e(- 1 feet in tranquilizing and harmonizing all parts of the Union, and in giving confidence, strength and security to all the great interests of our country.
 lhope that your editorial neighbor will be satisfied. And as trust that dc not eXag- gerate the pleasure (which this renewed ex- pression of my views and opinion will give him, is it too much to anticipate that he will forthwith renounce the error of his ways, and come straightout a staunch and sterling whig. Yours, respectfully,
 Now this letter will serve as key to the i letter which was published on Saturday. In this we perceive that he takes Cassins NJ. Clay to task pretty severely for what he had been doing appeals to his speech in the Senate, and the resolution he then and there offered as to his past and present views on the sub iect of slavery; expressly and explicitly de- clares that he has never entertained any others-and, further, that he has never, ei- i ther publicly, or privately, expressed to any one any different opinion. So far so good. And 1t will remembered that in that speech to which his letter refers, and it will be seen that in those resolutions which he himself gives, thathe distinctlyan explicitly declares himself to be be AN ULTRA SUPPORTER OF THE INSTITUTION OF SLAVERY. This was the main object he had in view in writingthe the letter. It was intended to operate-on the elections in the Southern States. Every can did man will admit that in his speech and resolutions referred to in the above letter, he goes as far. as the most ultra, violent and de- termined supporter of slavery possibly can do. These are the facts.
 Now, then, let us look at the letter of Henry Clay to Cassius M Clay of the 18th of September, and which was never intended for the public eye. But before we do so, we feel 1t due to Mr. Gassius NJ. Clay to state,