The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1844-05-16
MR.. CLAY ON THE TEXAS CUES
TTON
TION

the Editors was forwarded from Raleigh on
the day of its date, but did not reach our
hands in time for publication earlier than
to-day.] EDs. Nat. Intelligencer.
To the Editors of the Nat. Inteligencer:
RALEIGH, April II, 1914.
GENTLEMEN: Subsequent TO my departure
from Ashland, in December last, | received
various communications from popular assem-
blages and private individuals, requesting an
expression of my opinion upon the Annex
alton 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 unnecessarily TO in
troduce at present anew element among the
other exciting subjects which agitate and
engross the public mind. The rejection of
the overture of Texas som 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 a de-
sire being entertained on the part of any con-
siderable 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 sur
prised by information which received from
Texas, that in the course of last Fall a vol
untary overture had proceeded from the Exc
cutive of The United States to the Authorities
of Texas to conclude a Treaty of Annex
alton; and that, in order to overcome the re-
pugnance felt by any Of them to a negocia-
ton on the subject, strong and as | believed
erroneous representations had been made to
them of a state of opinion in the Senate OF
the U. States, favorable to the ratification Of
such a Treaty. According TO these repre-
sensations it had been ascertained that a
number ofSenators varying from thirty-fve
to forty-two were ready to sanction such a
Treaty. | was aware, too, that holders of
Texas lands and Texas scrip, and specula-
tors in them were actively engaged in pro-
noting the object of annexation. Still, | did
not believe that any Executive of the U.
States would venture upon so grave and mo-
N enous a preceding, not only without any
general manifestation of public opinion in
favor of ii, but in direct opposition to strong
and decided expressions of public disappro-
baton. But it appears that | was mistaken.
To the astonishnent of the whole nation we
are now informed that a Treaty of Annex
alton has actually been concluded, and is to
be submitted 10 the Senate for its consider
alton. The motives for my silence there
fore no longer remain, and | feel it to be my
duty to present an exposition of my views
and opinions upon the question, for what
they may be worth to the public considera-
ton. l adopt this method as being more
convenient than several replies to the res
pective communications which l have re-
ceived,
l regret that l have not the advantage o
a view of the Treaty itself, SO as to enable
me to adapt an expression of my opinion tt
the actual conditions and stipulations which
it contains. Not possessing that opportuni
ty, | am constrained to treat the question &C
cording to what | presume TO be the term
of treaty. Ii, without the loss of nationa
character, without the hazard of foreign wa
with the general concurrence of the nation
without any danger to the integrity of tn,
Union, and without giving an unreasonabl
price for Texas, the question of annexation
was presented, it would appear in quite
different light from that in which | apprehen
i is now TO be regarded,
The United States acquired a title I
Texas, extending, as l believe, to the Ri
del Merit, by the treaty of Louisiana. The
ceded and relinquished this title to Spain b
the treaty of 1919, by which the Sabine wa
substituted for the Rio del Norte as OF
western boundary, This treaty was negoc
ated under the administration of Mr.. Mo
roe, and with the concurrence Of his cabin
of which Messrs. Crawford, Calhoun al
Writ, being a majority, composed a pa
When the treaty was laid before the Hou
of Representatives, being a member of th
body, / expressed the opinion which l tht
o-4er4a;na6 and Gill hold tbot Tav,z N,