Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1844-05-14

As II relates 10 the constitutional rGht to
annex Texas 10 this country, Mr.. Clay ex-
presses no opinion of his own; yet this is one
of the essential questions involved in the
subject OF annexation, and upon which ques-
ton the country had right to expect an
opinion from him. Mr.. Van Buren, has ex-
pressed himself uncquivocally upon the con
stltutlonal right to annex Texas, and has
stated his reasons at length, drawn from pre-
cedcnt and the constitution itself All Mr..
Clay says on this point is, that ''Mr. Jefler-
son expressed the opinion, and others be-
lleVed, that 1t never was in the contemplation
of the trainers of the constitution to add TO-
reign territory TO the confederacy. out of
which new states were TO be formed.n
Whether he (Mr. Clay thinks Jefferson
right in this opinion, he does not say; it
seems however that Mr.. Clay must have
thought the opinion of Jefferson, erroneous,
because, he remarks in his letter; .'Durng
the administration of Mr.. Adams, Mr.. Pom
sett, Minister of the United States 10 Next
co, was instructed by me, with the Presidents
authority to propose are-purchasc ofTaxas"
Mr.. Clay's official action has never in a sin
gle instance indicated that he regarded the
acquisition OF TeXas as unconstitutional.
Whether annexation would be inexpedi-
ent under any circumstances, NJ. Clay does
not distinctly shy. In the present aspect of
the case, he deems it altogether improper;
but he remarks; "Ifshc (Mexco} Yields her
consent, that would materially alter the TO-
reign aspect of the question, if it did not re-
move all the foreign difficulties. On the as
sumption of that assent, the question would
be confined to the domestic considerations
which belong to it, embracing the terms and
conditions upon which annexation is propo-
scd. | do not think that Texas ought to be
received as an integral portion of the Union
IN decided opposition 10 the wishes of con-
siderable and respectable portion of the con
tederacy." The friends of annexation NAV
infer from the foregoing that Mr.. Clay is not
opposed to the measure when present circum-
stances have changed; and on the other hand
the opponents of annexation may infer that
MIR. Clay's sentiments are suited to their pc
cuilar vrews; and doubtless both sides Will
seek to turn the equivocal language TO polit-
ical account.
There is an evident attempt in Mr. Cays'
letter to conciiate as many votes as possible
north of Mason and Dxion's line; hence he
ingeniously throws out the hint that the
north would gain more strength by the an-
nexation of Texas than Tie south, because
that country he says would make three free
states and tiro sjdrcs states. lie is careful
while saying many things calculp'el to pro-
ptiate the north, not to commit himselffully
against annexation when ii favorable oppor-
tunity shall present itself, and when the
present conditions of affairs shall have as
sumed another aspect. We should be glad
10 have the letters of Van Bulen and Clay,
placed entire before every citizen in the
Republic, in order that the relative merits of
each might lie fairly canvassed, for we feel
confident thai the manly forward indie
pcndence of Mr.. Van Buren,, could buI com
mend itself to the intelligence of the people