The New York herald., 1844-08-30

and she will bring thirteen days later intelligence
from Europe.
Coming Round to the Right Point-Another
Letter from MIR. Clay on Annexation.
Mr.. Clay as we anticipated, under the guidance
that sagacious and enlightened craftsmanship
which has ever led him, has been every day coming
nearer the right ground on the all important SUBJ
ject Of the annexation of Texas, and after having
given additional reflection to the whole matter, he
now comes outl pretty decidedly in favor of that
measure. Here is his last letter on the subject,
addressed to some Southern gentlemen who wish
ed some explanations Of his well-known s'Raleigh
letter.
ASHLAND, 9th July, 1874.
GENTLEMEN I'll have received your favor inform
ing me that my views, as disclosed IN my letter
from Raleigh, on the question OF the Annexation
of Texas, are misconcelved, if not misrepresened,
In your quarters and that 1t is supposed that have
changed my opinion from what II was IN 1919
eadeavored to express myself in that letter ex-
plicitly as could, and do not think now that it
can be fairly mslnterpreted
In 1919, when addressed the House of Repre-
sentatlves the Executive had negotiated the treaty
with Spain, by which Texas was ceded to that pow
er, but Congress had not then given any sanction
TO the cesslon. | believe now, and thought then,
without the concurrence of Congress- to cede away
any Territory belonging to the United States. But
Congress- by repeated acts, subsequently manifested
its appreciation Of the treaty and these rem
dered it as valid and obligatory upon the United
Slates as if Congress had given its assent prior to
the conclusion of the treaty. At that period of
1919, Texas, as claimed by US, was unpeopled. No
hostile incursions had been made into il by citi-
zens of the United States In 1925 and 1927, there
were but few inhabitants of Texas, consisting OF
some colonists, planted there ynder the authority
of Mexico.
At neither of the three periods above mentioned
or n "A
any opposition TO Texas composing part of it, 1t
has been said that Mr. Adams's administration Of
fered to negotiate with Mexico for Texas, notwith.
standing the existence of war between Spain and
Mexico, and that it could not, therefore, have be-
lleved that the acquisition of Texas, at that time,
would have involved the United States in war with
Spain. Hence ii is argued that the ratification of
the late treaty could not have compromised our
peace.
Mr.. Adams thought it desirable to obtain Texas.
Two foreign powers claimed it. Mexico was IN
possession, and Spain was doing nothing to assert
and enforce her claim Her representative had
even gone far to stipuate, in convention, TO
acknowledge the independence OF Mexico, although
that convention was not ratified by Spain.
Mr.. Adams had right to authorize the negotia-
tion of treaty for the acquisition OF Texas with
both oreither of the powers claiming it, 1t was
tural that he should begin with that power which
had the possession of Texas. Spain had interposed
no obstacle. She had made no declaration that she
would regard the acquisition OF Texas as an act Of
war. In point Of fact, no overture was formally
made to Mexico to purchase Texas, no negotiation
was opened, no treaty was concluded. II nego-
tlation had commenced, or if treaty had been
signed, and Spain had protested, the prudent and
cautious policy which characterized Mr. Adams's
administration, would undoubtedly have prompted
him to quiet Spain, and accommodate the matter.
previous to the annexation OF Texas to the United
States, and without plungng them in war with
Spain How totally different are all the clrcum-
stances under which, with Mr.. Adams's authority,
| authorized the overture to Mexico, from those
which attended the recent treaty OF Mr.. Tyler!
So far from Mexico being silent, she repeatedly
and solemny declared that she would consider an
nexaton war with her. Texas was no longer
an unnbabited country. II had been wrested from
the dominion of Mexico by citizens, many OF
whom went armed from the United States. The
war between Mexico and Texas had not been ter
minated by any treaty Of peace Mr. Tyler not
only did not consult Mexico, but he announced that
her assent to the annexation was altogether unne-
cessary. As he proceeded TO conclude treaty,
embracl lne large extent of Territory, and nu-
merous population, net comprehended in the Texas
which the Unlted States ceded 10 Spain In 1919
La the meantime, too, apowerful opposition had
arisen in the United States against the annexation
OF Texas TO them Several States had declared,
through their Legislatures, against il, and Others
1t not whole sections of the Union, were believed
10 be adverse to il. This was the opposition to the
measure, to which, In my Raleigh letter, alluded,
when | spoke of considerable and respectable
portion OF the contederacy. did not refer to per.
sons but to States or sections.
Under such circumstances could not but regard
the Annexation Oh leXaS, at tnlS time, as cOmprO-
mlttlng the honor of my country, involving it in
war, In which the sympathles OF all ChrIstendom
would be against us, and endangerlng the integrity
of the Unisn. ! thought then, and still believe,
that National dlshonor, foreign war, and dIstrac-
tion and division at home were too great sacrifices
10 make for the acquisition OF Texas.
But, gentleman, you are deslrous of knowing by
what policy w0Sld be guided, In the event of my
election as Chief Magistrate of the United 5 ates,
in reference to the question of the annexation OF
Texas. do not think IL right to announce in ad-
vance what will be the course ofa future admlnis'ra-
ton IN respect TO question with foreign power.
i have, however, no hesitation in saying that tar
from having any personal objection to the annexa-
tlon OF Texas | should be glad to see it--without
dlshonor, without war. with the common consent
OF the Union, and upon just and fair terms.
DO not think that the subject of slavery ought
TO affect the question, one way or the other
Whether Texas be independent, or incorporated in
the United states, do not believe it will prolong
or shorten the duration OF that institution IL is des
tined to become extinct, at some distant day in my
opinion, by the operation Of the inevitable laws of
population. IL would be unwise to refuse a perma-
nent acquisition, which will exist as long as the
globe remains, on account of a temporary instltu-
ton.
In the contingency OF my election, TO which Won
have adverted, if the affair of acquiring Texas
should become subject OF consideration, should
be governed by the state of fact and the state of
public opinion existing at the time might be cali
ed upon TO act. Above all, should be governed by
the paramount duty Of preserving the Union entire,
and IN harmony, regarding 1t as do as the great
guaranty Of every political and public blessing un-
der Providence, which as free people we are per-
mitted to enjoy.
am, gentlemen, respectfully,
your ob't serv't,
III. CLAY.
Messrs. THOMAS M. PETERS aud JOHN M. JACKSON.
Mr.. Clay certainly speaks out here with tolerable
distlncness in favor Of annexation, and we cannot
doubt that in this declaration he expresses precise
ly the opinion which he has all along privately
maintained 1t is pretty well known that at the
outset Of the campaign Mr.. Clay addressed letter
10 his friends at Washington, coming out too bold