Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1844-06-14
Henry Clay.
RALEIGH, April II, 1914.

Henry Clay.
RALEIGH, April II, 1874
To the Editors of the National Intelhgencer:
N:-Subsequent to my departure
from Ashland, in December last received var-
Gus communications from popular assemblages and
private individuals, requesting an expression of
my opinion upon the question of the annexation of
Texas TO the United States. / have forborne TO
reply to them, because it was not very convenient,
during the progress of my journey, to do so, and
for other reasons. did not think it proper, un-
necessarily, to introduce at present, new ele-
ment among the other exciting subjects which ag-
tate and engross the public mind. The rejection
of the overture of Texas, some years ago, to be-
come annexed TO the United States, had met with
general acquiescence. Nothing had since occur
rcd materially to vary the question | had seen
no evidence of desire being entertained, on the
part of any considerable portion of the American
people, that Texas should become an integral part
of the United States. During my sojourn in New
Orleans, | had, indeed, been greatly surprised, by
information which received from Texas, that in
the course of last fall, voluntary overture had
proceeded from the Executive of the United States
to the authorities of Texas to conclude treaty of
annexation; and that in order to overcome the re-
pugnance felt by any of them to negotiate on the
subject, strong, and as believed, erroneous rep
reservations had been made to them Of state of
|
BILE to the ratification of such treaty. According
to these representations, it had been ascertained
that number of Senators, varying from thirty five
to fOrty-WO, were ready to sanction such treaty.
| was aware, too, that holders of Texas lands and
Texas scrip, and spectators in them, were active
y engaged in promoting the OBJ ject of annexation.
Still, did not believe that any Executive of the
United States, would venture upon so grave and
momentOus proceeding, not only without any
general manifestation of public opinion in favor Of
it, but III direct opposition 10 strong and decided
expressions of public disapprobaton. But it ap.
pears that was mistaken. 10 the astOnishmen
4 of the whole Nation, we are now informed that
treaty of annexation has been actually concluded
aud is to be submitted to the Senate tor its consd
Grafton. The motives for my silence, therefore
no longer remain, and feel it to be my duty tC
present an exposition of my views and opinions
upon the question, for what they may be worth, tt
the public consideration. adopt this method, al
being more convenient than several replies to iht
respective communications which have received
regret that have not the advantage of view
Of the treaty ITSELF to enable mt to adapt al
, expression of my opinion to the actual condition
} and stipuIationS which it contains. Not possess
4 ing that opportunity, am constrained to treat TIT
question according to what | presume TO he tn
terms of the treaty. If, without the loss Of nation
al character, without the hazard of foreign war
with the general concurrence of the nation, with
ont any danger to the integrity of the Union ant
without any unreasonable price for Texas, tn
e question of annexation were presented, it woul'
= appear in quite different light from that in whic
y apprehend, it is now to be regarded.
: . The United States acquired title to Texas, ex
tending, as believe, to the Rio del Norte, by tn
treaty of Louisiana. They coded and relinquish
n ed that title to Spain by the treaty of 1919, b
e which the Sabine was substituted for the Rio dc
e Norte as our western boundary. This treaty wa
= negotiated under the Administration of Mr.. Nor
|, roe, and with the concurrence of his Cabinet,
y which Messrs. Crawford, Calhoun and Writ, be
o ing majority, all southern gentlemen, compose
: a part.-When the treaty was laid before tn
n House of Representatives, being member of thu
), body, l expressed the opinion, which then ente
tanned, and still hOld, that Texas sacrificed
II the acquisition of Florida We wanted Florida
IS but thought it must, from its position, inevtabl
., fall into our possession; that the point of FEY
d years, sooner or later, was of sort of cOnst
h quence, and that in giving five millions of dollar
b aud Texas for it, we gave more than just equiv
II alent. But if we made a great sacrifice in tn
= surrender of Texas, we ought to take care not
y make too great sacrifice in the attempt to re-aC
n quire it.
IF My opinions of the inexpediency of the treaty
Of 1919 did not prevail. The country and Congres
le were satisfied with it, appropriations were mad
s. to carry it into effect the line of the Sabine WI
at recognized by us our boundary, in negotiation
y both with Spain and Mexico, after Mexico BEGAN
I'd independent, and measures have been IN progr'
~ to mark the line from the Sabine to Red rive
g, and thence to the Pacific Ocean. We have thu
I'd fairly alienated our title to Texas by solemn nj
Ie tional compacts, to the fulflment of which "
'e stand bound by good faith and national honor.
e. therefore perfectly idle and ridiculous, if NJ
n dshonorable to talk of resuming our title to Te1
as as if we had never parted with it. We can II
ne more do that than Spain can resume Florid
I'd France Louisiana, or Great Britain the thrice
he colonies, now composing a part of the Unite
lie States.
en- During the administration of Mr.. Adams, M
70 Poinset, minister of the United States at Mexic