The Woodstock age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1844-1845, 1844-09-26
From The Lexington (Ky) observer sept. 4.
MR. CLAY'S LAST.

} MR. CLAWS LAST.
Although we do not believe that there is 4
intelligent man in the United States, VII
| is not perfectly acquainted with the view
) and opinions of MIR Clay, in regard I
! Slavery and Abolition, we are glad that h
has thought proper to notice the call upo
him Of the Kentucky Gazette. That wa
the last course which lis editor desired O
expected. His wish, no doubt, was, tina
MIR Clay should remain silent, that tn
misrepresentation of the Gazette shout.
90 forth, rs it were, from the door of MI
Clay, uncontradicled by him, and accom-
plIsh their malignant purpose at the South
always peculiarly sensitive to whatever
concerns the institution OF Slavery. Nh
Clay's letter which we this day publish
eiiecually brushes this sinister design il
the bud.
ASHLAND, Sept, I'd, 1914.
Mr. WIcHLIFrE-The editor of the
nelghboring print, Ohe Kentucky Gazette,
of Lcxinglon) calling my attention to a let
ter of c, Nj, Clay, Esq, under date the
10Th July, 1914, and addressed to Col ]. J
Speed ofIlhaca, has appealed to me, with
SO much earnestness and with a purpose Of
snch unaffected sincerity to say whether
| approve or dlsdpprove of that letter, that
| have not the heart to deny to that editor
the very great qualification which he will
derive from the persual Of this note, espe-
cially when it gives me so little trouble to
write it.
Mr. c. NJ. Clay's letter was written with
out my knowledge, without any consulla-
llon with me, aud without any authority
from me. ! never saw it until | saw it in
the public prints. That gentleman is an
independent citizen, having a perfect
right to entertain aud avow his own opin-
IONS, | I'm not responsible for them, as
he Is not for mine. So far as he ventures
to interpret my feelings, he has entirely
them. | believe him to be
equally mistaken as to those in the circle
'i my personal friends and neighbors, gen.
orally.
In my speech, addressed to the Senate
Vt the U. s., and in resolutions offered 20
o that body,in my address to Mr. Menden-
'aIl, about two years ago, and on vari-
'us other public occasions, | have fully,
REILLY, and explicitly, avowed my senti-
nents and opinions, on the subjects of the
Institution Of Slavery iand Abolition. |
ldhere to them, without any reservation
have neither entertained. nor expressed,
ublcly or privately, any others. And
ny friends and neghbors generally, so far
$ have inlercharged sentiments with
hem, coincide entirely with me.
The sentiments and opinions, so ex-
rcsscd by me, may be briefly stated to be
ST, That Congress has not power or
nihorlly over the institution of Slavery
d. That the exsance, maintenance aud
onInuancc oflhat institution depend, en-
Iusivcly, upon the power and authority of
he respective states, within which it is sit
a'ed. And 3, That Congress canno,
l'criere with Slavery in the District of
<''"''", "'''ut u NlpIulltIIl VI uDJu ldllIl
. the states of Maryland and Virginia, i'm.
lied, if not expressed, in the terms, oh.
'e's, and purposes of the grant of tcn
iles square TO the general government.
So sar from the success of the wing
ause having any injurious tendency, as
as been alleged, believe j, will have a
owerlu effect in tranqulIizing and har-
,onlzing all parts of the Union, and in
wing confidence, strength and security
, all the great interests of our country.
| hope that your editorial neighbor will
e now satisfied. And, as trust that !
o not eyoggerote the pleasure which this
.newed expression of my views and opin-
ms will give him, is it too much to antici-
ate that he will forthwith renounce the
rror of his ways and comes straight on,
lunch and setrling whigl
Yours respectfully,
II. CLAY