Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1844-10-10

ne Nhtisnal E.tellseemeer.
NLErTER FROM MR. CLAY. y W
AsE.AND, Sept. o3d, is44.
Seas.ea.eN Since my nomination at Baltimore
IN Nay last By the Whir Convention. a n car6;-
1Ats i0r the once Of PRECEDENT Of the iJnitel SStss
Ihave Teceived many Letters pF0pounding to me
questions on pnblic affairs, and others NAV have
been addressed to me which never received. To
mast Uf those which have reached me have re-
Phed, but to some have not, because either the
subjects OF which they treated were such as that
IN respect OF them, my. opinions, thought had
been sufficiently promulgated or that they did not
possess, IN my Judgement, sufficient importance to
require an answer from me- l desire now to saw
TO the public through you, that, considering the
near appFoach OF the Presidential election, shall
heneefOrward respectfully decline to transmit for
PN6ication any letters from me in answer to inqu-
ries uPQn public matteIS. ESrs
After ny Hoinihafion, doubted the propriety AS
still do, Of answering any letters upon new ques-
tons Of public policy. One who may be a candi-
date for the Chief Magistracy Of the Nation felec-
ted, ought to enter upon the discharge of the high
duties connected with that Office with his mind
open and uncommitted upon all new questions
which may arise in the course of its administration
and ready to avail himself of all the lights which
he may derive from his Cabinet, from Congress,
and above all, from the public opinion.
II, IN advance, he should commit himself to indi-
SANNAAS
may deprive the public and himself of the benefit of
those great guides. Entertaining this view, it was
my intention, after my nomination, to decline an
swering tor publication all questions that might be
propounded to me. But, on further reflection, it
appeared to me that If imposed this silence upon
myself. might. contrary to the uniform tenor of
my life. seem to be unwilling frankly and fearlessy
to submit my opinions to the public Judgment
therefore so far devated from my first purpose as
to respond to letters addressed to me, making in
qOiries Ia regard to subjects which had been much
agitated. OF the answers which so transmitted
some were intended exclusively for the satisfaction
Of my correspondents. without any expectation on
my part OF their being deemed worthy of publica-
ton. In regard to those which have been presen-
ted to the public, misconceptions and erroneous
constructions have been given to some Of them
which think they did not authorize, or which, at
all events, were contrary to my intentions.
In announcing my determination to permit no
other letters to be drawn from me on public affairs
think 1t right to avail myself Of the occasion to
correct the erroneous Interpretation OF or two
Of those which had previously written. In April
last I addressed to You. from Raleigh, a letter in
respect to the proposed treaty annexng Texas to
the URited States, and have since addressed two
letters to Alabama upon the same subject Most
nnwarranted allegations have been made that those
letters are inconsistent with each other, and, to
make it out, particular phrases expressions have
been torn from their context, and meaning atrib.
10 wish now distinctly to say that there is not
feeling, sentiment, or an opinion expressed in my
Raleigh letter to which do not adhere. ! am de-
eidedly opposed to the immediate annexation of
Texas to the United States. think it would be
dishonorabie, might involve them in war, would be
dangerous to the integrity and harmony of the I'M
ion, and il all these objections were removed could
not be effected, according to any information pos.
sess. upon just and admissible conditions.
It was not my intention, in either Of the two let
tiers which addressed to Alabama, to express any
contrary opinion. Representations had been made
to me that was considered az inAexbly opposed
to the annexation Of Texas under any circumstan-
,ces and that my opposition was extreme that
would not waive, even if there were general con-
sent to the measure by all the States of the Union
] replied, in my first letter to Alabama that per-
sonally had no objection to annexation. thought
that my meaning was sufficiently obvious, that
had no personal, private, or individual motives for
opposing as have none for espousing the measure,
my judgment being altogether influenced by gene
tai 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 the
general consent Of the States OF the Union,
and Wpon fair and reasonable terms, stated that
should be glad to see it. did not suppose that it
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 see what the whole
nation might concur in desiring under the condi-
tions stated. Nothing was further from my pur-
pose than to intimate any change Of opinion as long
as any considerable and respectable portion of the
Confederacy should continue TO stand out in oppo
siti0n to the annexation of Texas.
10 all three Of my letters upon the subject of Tex
a. stated that annexation was inadmissible except
upon fair and reasonable terms, il every other OBJ
lection were removed In speech which adj
dressed to the Senate Of the United Statas more
than three years ago. avowed my opposition, for
the reasons there stated, to the assumption by the
General Government, OF the debts OF the several
States. It was hardly, therefore, to he presumed
that could be in favor 1t assuming the unascer-
tanned debt ofa foreign State, with which we have
no raternal ties, and whose bad faith or violation
Of its engagements bring no reproaches upon
Having thus. gentlemen, made the apology
which intended, for my omission to answer any
letters OF inquiry upon public affairs which may
have received; announced my purpose to decline
henceforward transmitting answers for publication
TO any such letters that may hereafter receive;
and vindicated some Of those which have forwar-
ded against the erroneous constructions to which
they have been exposed, have accomplished the
purpose Of This note. and remain. respectfully
Your obedient servant, II, CLAY.
Messrs. GALES T. SEAroN. ...-t a 4. ...e
...l sa. 5i3a STREET TALK. .a.L
Have you seen Clay's third letter on Texas!
e No. Does il differ from other letters