Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1844-05-02

sue which has been SO suddenly sprung upon
The country for selfish and party purposes, in
his usual bold and fearless spirit, and disposes
oil 1t in calm, dispassonate. and statesman
IKE manner. Immortal honor TO the man
say we, who, (to use lis own memorable
words,) "'conid rather De RIGHT than be Pre-
There is no fear, however. but
that the country will sustain him triumphant-
ly, in the position he assumes.
MIR. CLAY ON THE TEXAS QUESTION
The following letter from Mr.. CLAY to the Edi.
tors was forwarded from Raleigh on the day of
It's date, but did not reach hands i'm time for
publication earlier than to-day Nat. Int.
To the Editors Of the National Jrfcligcncer.
RALEIGH, APRIL II, 1874.
Gentlemen Subsequent to my departure from
Ashland, In December last, l received various
communications from popular assemblaqes and
private individuals, requesting an expression of
my opinion upon the question of the Annexation
OF Texas TO the United States | have Io1borne
to reply to them, because it was not very conye-
nient, during the progress Of my journey, TO do
80, and for other reasons. did not think il pro.
per, unnecessarily, TO introduce at present new
element among the other exciting subjects which
agltate and engross the public mind The reiec-
ton OF the overture of Texas, some years aro, 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 desire being entertained
on the part of any considerable portion of the A.
merican people. that Texas should become an in.
tegral part of the United States. During my So
Journ In New Orleans, had. indeed, been greatly
surprised, by information which ! received from
ieSas, mat, In the course of last fall, voluntary
had a 4 III
United States to the Authorities of Texas to con-
ciude treaty of Annexation and that, in order
10 overcome the repugnance felt by any of them
10 negotiation upon the subject, strong and. as
believed, erroneous representations had been
made TO them of a state of opinion in the Senate
OF The United States favorable 10 the ratification
oil such treaty. According to these representa-
lions, it had been ascertained that number of
Senators, varying from thirty-fve to fory-two,
were ready 10 sanction such treaty. / was a.
ware, too, that holders Of Texas lands and Texas
scrip, and spectators in them, were actively en-
gagged in promoting the object of annexation
Still, did not believe that any Executive of the
United States would venture upon SO grave and
momenious proceeding, not only without any
general manifestation of public opinion i'm favor
OF 1t, but in direct opposition to strong and de.
cIded expressions of public Interpretations But
1t appears that was mistaken. To the astonish-
inent oi the whole nation, informed
that treaty Of annexation has been actually
concluded, and is 10 be submitted to the Senate
for lis consideration. The motives for nv silence,
therefore, 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 consideration. ] a.
dept this method as being more convenient than
several replies TO the respective communications
which have received.
regret that have rot the advantage of view
OF the treaty itself, so as to enable to adapt an
expression OF my opinion to the actual conditions
and stipulatons which it contains. Not possess
ing that opportunity, am constrained to irea, the
question according to what presume to be the
terms OF the treaty. If without the loss of ma
tonal character, without the hazard of foreign
war, with the general concurrence of the nation,
without any danger TO the integrity of the Union
and without giving an unreasonable price for
Texas, the question of annexation were present
ed, 1t would appear infuite different light from
narded.
The United States acquired title to Texas
extending, as believe, to she Rio del Norie, by
the treaty of Louisiana. They coded and relin-
quished that title to Spain by the treaty of 1919,
by which the Sabine was substituted for the Rio
del Norte as our western boundary. This treaty
was negotiated under the Administration of Mr..
Monroe, and with the concurrence of his Cabinet,
of which Messrs. Crawford Calhoun, and Writ,
being majority, all Southern gentlemen, com
posed part. When the treaty was laid before
the House Of Representatives, being member
of that body, expressed the opinion, which
then entertained, and still hold, that Texas was
sacrificed TO the acquisition Of Florida. We
wanted Florida; but thought il must, from its
position, inevitably fall into our possession that
the point of few years, sooner or later, was of
no sort of consequence, and that in giving five
millions of dollars and Texas for it, we gave
more than just equivalent. But, if we made
great sacrifice in the surrender of Texas, we
ought TO take care not 10 make too great a sacri-
flee In the attempt TO re-acquire it.
My opinions of the nexpediency of the treaty
of 1919 did not prevail. The country and Con-
gress were satisfied with it, appropriations were
made to carry it into effect, the line Of the Sabine
was recognised by us as our boundary, in nepo-
iiatlons both with Spain and Mexico, after Mexi-
co became independent, and measures have been
In actual progress 10 mark the line, from the Sa-
bine 10 Red river, and thence TO the Pacific ocean,
We have thus far alineated orr title 10 Texas, by
solemn national compacts, TO the fuflment of
which we stand bound by good faith and national
honor. 1t is, therefore, perfectly idle and ridicu-
lous, If not dishonorable, TO talk of resumng our
title 10 Texas, as if we had never parted with it,
We can no more do that than Spain can resume
Florida, France, Louisiana, or Great Britain the
thirteen colonies, now composing a part of the
United States.
During the administration of Mr.. Adams. Mr..
Poinsett, Minister Of the United States at Next
co, was instructed by me, with the Presidents
authority, TO propose re-purchase Of Texas; but
he iorbore even to make an overture for tIat pur-
pose. Upon his return TO the United States, he
informed me, at New Orleans, that his reason for
not making it was, that he knew the purchase was
wholly lmpracilcable, and that he was persuaded
tEat, II he made the overture, it would have no
other effect than to aggravae rrlaiions, already
existing, upon matters of difference between the
two countries.
The events which have since transpired in
Texas are well known. She revoled against the