Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1844-10-10
A LETTER FROM MIR. CLAY.
TO the Editors of the National Intelligcnccr.


ASHLAND, Sept. %, isA.
Gentlemen Since my nomination at Bal,i
more in May last. by the Wing Convention. as n
candidate for the office of President Of the United
States, iiave received many letters propoundiny
to me questions on public affairs, and others NAV
nave been addressed TO me which have never re-
ceived. 10 most of those which have reached
me have replied; but to some have not, be-
cause either The subjects Of which they treated
were sucn as that in respect of them, my opn-
ions thought had been sufficiently promulgated, !
OF ua' 'ney d'd not possess, in my Judgment, suf-
nc,eht importance to require an answer from me.
4 desire now TO say TO the public, through you, |
mat, considering the approach of the Presi-
Dental election, shall henccorward respectfully
decline to transmit for publication any letters
rom me In answer to inquiries upon public mat
tiers.
After my nomination, doubted the propriety.
as still do, Of answering any letters upon new
questions of public policy. One who may be IA
candidate tor the Chief Magistracy of the Ma
ton, II elected, ought 10 enter upon the discharge
OF the high duties connected with that Office with
his mind open and uncomnittcd upon all new
questions which may arise in the course of its adj
tninistration, and ready TO avail himself Of all the
lights which he may derive from his Cabinet
from Congress, and, above all, fiom the public
opinion.
If, in advance, he should commit himself to in
dividuals who may think proper to address him.
he may deprive the public and himself of the ben
view, 1t was my intention, after my nomination to
decline answering for publication all questions
that might be propounded to But, on further
rejection, 1t appeared TO me that if imposed this
silence upon myself, might contrary to the uni.
form tenor OF my life, seem to be unwilling frank
ly and fearlessy to submit my opinions TO the
public Judgment. | therefore SO far deva,ed
from my first purpose as to respond 10 let
teIs addressed to me, making inquiries in regard
to subjects which had been much agitated. Oftle
answers which so transmitted, in
tended exclusively for the satisfaction of my
respondents, without any expectation my part
OF their being deemed worthy of publications.
In regard TO those which have been presented TO
the public, misconceptions and erroneous con-
structlonS have been given to some Of them which
think they did not authorize, or which, at all e.
vents, were contrary to my intentions.
In announcing my determination TO permit no
other letters TO be drawn from me on public af-
iairs, think II right to avail myself of the occa-
sion 10 correct the erroneous Interpretation of one
or Two OF those which had previously written.
In April last, | addressed to YOU from Raeinb -
letter in respect to the propos, d treaty annexinq
Texas TO the United States, and have since ad.
dressed TWO letters to Alabama upon the same
subject. Most unwarraned allegations have been
made that those letters are inconsistent with each
oher, ana TO make 1t out, particular phrases or eX-
Presslons have been torn from their context, and
meaning attributed to me which never enter
tanned.
wish now distinctly to say that there is not a
leeiinS, sentiment or an opinion EXPRESSED i'm
my Raleigh letter 10 which do not adhere
am decidedly opposed TO the immediate annexa-
ton Of Texas TO the United States. | think i,
would be dshonorahle, might involve them in a
war, would be dangerous to the integrity and
harmony of the Union, and if all these directions
Were removed could not be effected, ACCORDING to
any Information possess, upon jus, and admissi-
BILE conditions.
1t was not my intention, in either of the two let
tiers which addressed to Alabama, to express any
contrary opinion. Represent atoms had been made
10 me that was considered as inhexbiy opposed
to the annexation of Texas under any circums
Ges ana ihas my opposition was extreme that
would not waive IL, even if there were a gener-
al consent to the measure by all the States of The
Union. replied In my first letter TO Alabama,
that personally had no objection to annexation
Ihought ina: my meaning was sufficiently obvi.
Gus, that had no personal, private, or individual
motives Tor opposing as l have none for ospou-
sing The measure, my judgmen, being altogether
1niiuenced by general and political considerations
which have ever been the guide Of my public
conduct.
In my second letter to Alabama, ASSUMING that
the annexation of Texas might be ACCOMPLISHED
without national dishonor, without war, with
Inc general consent of the States of the Union
and upon fair and reasonable terms | stated
that should be glad to see it. / did.noi suppose
that 1t was possible could be misunderstood |
imagined every body would comprehend me as
intending that, whatever might be my particular
views and opinions, should be happy to
what the what the whole nation mi chit concur in
desiring under the conditions stated. Nothing
was further from my purpose than to intimate any
chanSe OF opinion as long any considerable and
respectable portion Of the Confederacy should
continue to stand out in opposition 10 the annexa-
ton of Texas.
m In all three Of my letters upon the subject CT
Texas, stated that annexation was inadmissibIe
except upon fair and reasonable terms if every
other objection were removed. In a speech which
addressed 10 The Senate of the United States
more than three years ago, avowed my opposi-
non, Tor the reasons there stated, to the assump.
lion, by the General Government of the debts of
The several States. 1t was hardly, there fore TO
be presumed that could be in favor of assuming
The unascertalned debt Of "a foreign State, with
winch We have no fraternal ties, and whose bad
faith or violation of lis engagements can bring no
reproaches upon us.
having thus, gentlemen, made the apology
which intended, for my omission to answer any
letters OF inquiry upon public affairs which may
nave received; announced my purpose 10 decline
hehceiorwaTd transmitting answers for pubica-
lion to any such letters tina; | may hereafter re-
ceIve; and vlndicated some of those which have
forwarded against the erroneous constructions to
which they have been exposed, have accom-
plished the purpose Of this note, and remain re-
specially, your obedent servant,
MessTs, GALES s. SEAroN.
THE BRITISH GOLD PROVED
We have published evidence that there were
subscriptions Of money in England for the