Litchfield enquirer., 1844-05-02
THE EKQUIRER.
ALTrCHFIEl.lh NAV E. lsAA.

mr.. Clay ON the AnnexS10n Oh Nexase
The National Tntelligencer OF Saturday contains
the following letter to the editors, from Mr.. C1AT
which will be read with the deepest interest by
cry man in the United States. Il needs no farther
To the Editors Of the National hntelIigencer:
s=e1S. RALEIGEz, April II, 1S44.
GENTLEMEN: Subsequent to my departure from
Ashland, in December last, received various COM
munlcations from popular assemblages and private
individuals, requesting expression OF my opinion
upon the question of the annexation Of Texas to the
United States. have foreborne to reply to them,
because It was not very convenient during the pro-
gress Of my journey to do and for other reasons
did not think it proper, unnecessarily, TO intro
duce at present new element among the other ex-
citing subjects which agate and engross the public
mind. The rejection Of the overture of Texas,
some years ago, to become annexed to the United
States had met with general acquiescence. Moth
ing had since occurred materially to vary the ques
ton. had seen no evidence of desire being en-
tertained, on the part Of any considerable part of
the American people, that Texas should become an
integral part Of the United States. During my So
journ in New Orleans, had, indeed. been greatly
surprised, by information which l received from
Teyas that, in the course Of last fall voluntary
overture had proceeded from the Executive Of the
United States to the Authorities of Texas to con-
clude treaty Of annexation; and that, in order to
overcome the repugnance felt by any OF them to
negotiation upon the subject, strong and, as be-
leved, erroneous representations had been made to
them of a state of opinion in the Senate Of the
United States favorable to the ratification of such
treaty. According to these representations, il had
been ascertained that number of Senators, varying
from thirty five to fortytwo, were ready to sanction
such treaty. was aware, too, that holders of
Texas lands and Texas script, and spectators in
In n nrO fhn nj.
ject of annexation. STILL did not believe that any
Executive Of the United States would venture upon
so grave and momentous q proceeding, not only
without any general manifestation of public opinion
in favor of but in direct opposition to strong and
decided expressions of public disapprobation. But
it appears that was mistaken. To the astonish-
ment Of the whole nation, we are now Informed
that treaty OF annexation has been actually con-
cluded, and is to be submitted to the Senate for its
consideration. The motives for my silence there
fore no longer remain, and feel it to be nv duty
to present an exposition Of my views and opinions
upon the question, for what they NAV be worth, to
the public consideration. / adopt this method as
being more convenient than several replies to the
respective communications which have received.
regret that have not the advantage of a view
of the Treaty ITSELF as TO enable me to adapt
expression Of my opinion to the actual conditions
and stipuatons which it contains. Not possessing
that opportunity, am constrained to treat the
L
terms of the treaty II, without the loss of nation
al character, without the hazard Of foreign war,
with the general concurrence Of the nation, with
out any danger to the integrity of the Union, and
without giving any unreasonable price for Texas,
the question OF annexation were presented, ii would
appear in quite different light from that in which
apprehend it is now to be regarded. .'a.r
The United States acquired title to Texas, ex-
tending, as believe, to the Rio del Norte, by the
treaty Of Louisiana. They coded and relinquished
that title to Spain by the treaty Of 1919, by which
the Sabine was substituted for the Rio del Norte
our western boundary. This treaty was negotiated
under the administration of MI. Monroe, and with
the concurrence of his Cabinet, of which Messrs.
Crawford, Calhoun, and Writ, being majority, all
southern gentlemen, composed part. When the
treaty laid before the House of Representatives
being member Of that body, expressed the opin-
ion, which | then entertained and still hold, that
Texas was sacrificed to the acquisition of Florida
We wanted lorida; hut thought that 1t must,
from its position, inevitably fall into possession;
that the point Of few years. sooner orlater, Of
no sort OF consequence, and that in giving five mil.
lions OF dollars and Texas, we gave more than
just equivalent. hut, il we have made great sa-
cri6ce in the surrender Of Texas, ought to take
care not to make too great sacrifice in the attempt
to re-acquire it. ...... t..,.,. '.tt-
My opinions ofthe inexpediency of the treaty of
1919 did not prevail. The country and Congress
satisfied with II, appropriations were made to
carry it into effect, the line If the Sabine was rec
0gnized by US as our boundary, in negotiations both
with Spain and Mexico, after Mexico became indie
pendent, and measures have been in actual progress
to mark the line from the Sabine to Red river, and
thence to the Pacific ocean. We have thus fairly
alienated our title to Texas, by solemn national
compacts, to the fu6lment Of which we stand bound
by good faith and national honor. 1t is, therefore,
perfectly idle and ridiculous, if not dishonorabe,
to talk of respming our title to Texas, as if we had
never parted with it. We can no more do that than
Spain can resume Florida, France Louisiana, or
Great Britain the thirteen colonies, now composing
a part Of the United States ' ..tp l.. 5f.,
During the administration of Mr.. Adams, Mr..
Poinsett, minister Of the United States ut Mexico,
was instructed by me, with the Presidents author
ity, to propose re-purchase Of Texas; but he for
bore, even to make ON overture tor that purpose
Upon his return to the United States, he informed
me, at New Orleans, that his reason for not making
it was that he knew the purchase was wholly i'm
practicable, and that he was persuaded that if he
made the overture, il would have no other effect
than to aggravate rrtatOns, already existing, upon
matters of difference between the two countries.
The events which have since transpired in Tex
as are well known. She revOlted against the gov
ernment of Mexico few to arms. and finally fought
and the memorable battle of san Jacinto, ami
hilating Mexican army, and making captive of
the Mexican President. The signal success of that
revolution was greatly aided. if not wholly achiev-
co.. ny CltlZenS OF the OnlteU StateS VINO naO mlkTa-
ted to Texas These succors, If they could not al
ways be prevented by the government ofthe United
States, were furnished in manner and to an extent
which brought upon US some national reproach in
the eyes Of an impartial world. And in my opinion
they impose on US the obligation of scrupulously
avoiding the imputation of having instigated and
aided the revolution with the ultimate view of ter
ritorial ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. After the battle of San
Jacinto, the United States recognized the indepen-
dence of Texas, in conformity with the principle