Hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1843-1845, 1844-05-16
MIR. CLAY
On the Texas Question.

Vu INC 1eXdS VueSu1On.
The following letter from Mr. CHA
to the editors of the National INTEL
gencer; was forwarded from Raleigh o
the day Of its date, but did not reac
their hands in time for publica,io
earlier than the 9Th ult. 1t is all M
Clay's friends could wish.
RALEIGH. April II, 1874.
To the Editors Of the Nat. Intelligence err.
GENTLEMEN-Subsequent to my de
parture from Ashland, in Decembe
last, l received various communica
tons from popular assemblages ant
private individuals, requesting an ex
preston of my opinion upon the ques
tim o. the annexation of Texas to tn,
United States. / have foreborne to re
ply to III. n. because it was not very
convenient, during the progress Of my
Journey, to do So, and for other rea
sons. i did not think it proper, unne
cessarily, to introduce at present new
element among the other exciting SUB
jects which agi.ate and engross The
public mind. The rejection Of tie
overture Of Texas, some years ago, to
become annexed TO the United States,
had met with general acquiescence.-
Nothing had since occurred 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, l had. indeed, been
greatly surprised, by information which
l 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 annexa-
ton; and that, in order to overcome
the repugnance felt by any of them to
a negotiation upon the subject strong
and, as believed, erroneous represen-
ta,ions had been made to them of a
state Of opinion in the Senate Of the
United States favorable TO the rati6ca-
ton Of such treaty. According TO
these representations, it had been ascer.
tanned that number Of Senators, vary.
ing from ,hirty.fve to for,y-two. were
ready 10 sanction such treaty. | was
aw are, too, that holders Of Texas
lands and Texas scrip, and spectators
in them, were actively engaged in pro-
noting the object Of annexation. Still,
/ did no, believe that any Executive Of
the United States would venture upon
so grave and momentous proceeding.
no, only without any general nantes
ta,ion of public opinion in favor of it,
but in direc. opposition to strong and
decided expressions of public disap.
probation. But it appears that ! was
mistaken. TO the establishment Of the
whole nation, we are now informed
that treaty Of annexation has been
concluded, and is to be SUBJ
mt,ed to the Senate for its considera.
ton. The motives for my silence.
therefore, no longer remain, and | feel
it TO be my duty TO present an exposi-
ton Of my views and opinions upon
the question, for what they may be
worth, to the public consideration. |
adop; this method as being more con-
venien, than several replies 10 the re.
spec,ive communications which have
received.
Iregret that have not the advan.
.age Of a view Of the treaty itself, so as
to enable me to adapt an expression of
my opinion 10 the actual conditions
and siipula,idns which j. contains
Not possessing that opportunity, | am
to treat the question accord
ing TO what l presume TO be the terms
Of the treaty. If, without the loss of
national character, without the hazard
Of foreign war, with the general con-
currence Of The nation, without any
danger 10 the integrity Of the Union,
and without giving an unreasonable
price for Texas, the question Of annex
alton were presented. i. would appear
in quite diferen. light from that in
which, apprehend, it is now to be re-
garded.
The United States acquired title to
Texas. extending, as l believe. to the
Rio del Norte, by the treaty of Louisi-
ana. They coded and relinquished
tina. title to Spain by the treaty OF
1919, by which the Sabine was substi-
tuted for the Rio del Norte as our
Western boundary. This treaty was
negotiated under the administration OF
Mr. Monroe, and with the concurrence
of his cabinet, Of which Messrs Craw-
ford, Calhoun and Writ, being major
ity, all southern gentlemen, composed
a part. When the treaty was laid be-
fore the House Of Representatives, be-
ing a member Of that body,I express.
ed the opinion, which ! then entertain.
ed and still hold, that Texas was sac
ri6ced to the acquisition Of Florida