The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-05-16
w. G. BROWN, ASSOCIATE EDITOR.
Mr., Clay on the Texas Question.
70 the editors ofthe National Inteligencer.

n 10 the editors ofthe National Intelligencer.
RALEIGH, April II, 1914.
Il Gentlemen Subsequent to my departur
y from Ashland, in December last, receiv
!, ed various communications from popula
] assemblages and private individuals, re
: questlng an expression of my opinion up
on the question OF the annexation of Texa:
to The United States. | have forborne tc
reply to them, because it was not very con.
venlent, during the progress ofmy journey
to do so, and other reasons. did moi
think it proper, unnec essarily, to introduce
at present new element among the other
exciting subjects which agitate and en-
gross the public mind The rejection OF
the overtures of Texas, some years ago, to
become annexed to the United States, had
met with general acquiescence. Nothing
had since urred materially to vary the
question. had seen no evidence of de-
sire being entertained, on the part of any
considerable portion Of the American peo.
Pile, that Texas should become an integral
part of the United States. During nv So
ourn in New Orleans, l had, indeed, been
great y surprised, by information which l
received from Texas, that, in the course
OF last fall, voluntary overture had pro-
ceeded from the Executive of the United
States to the authorities of Texas to con-
clude a treaty of annexation; and that, in
order 10 overcome the repugnance felt by
any Of them to a negotiation upon the sub.
ject, strong, and as believed, erroneous
representations had been made to them of
STATE of opinion in the Senate ofthe Unit
ed States favorable TO the ratification of
such treaty.
According 10 these representations, it
had been ascertained that a number of
Senators, varying from thirty-fve to forty.
two, were read y TO sanction such treaty.
| was aware, 100, that holders of Texas
lands and Texan scrip, and spectators IN
them were actively engaged in promoting
the object of annexation. Still | did not
believe that any Executive of the United
States would venture upon so grave and
momentous proceeding, mol only with
out any general man hesitation Of public
opinion in favor of it, but in direct oppo-
slion 10 strong and decided expressions OF
public dsapprobation. But itappears that
| was mistaken. To the establishment of
the whole nation, we are now informed
that treaty of annexation has been actu-
ally concluded, and is 10 be submitted to
the Senate for its consideration. The mo.
tives for my silence, therefore, no longer
remains, and feel it 20 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.
| adopt this method as being more conven-
lent than several replies 10 the respective
communications which | have received.
regret that | have not the advantage of
a view of the treaty ITSELF so as to enable
me TO adap: an expression ofmy opinion to
the actual conditions and slipulations
which it contains. Not possessing that
opportunity, | am constrained 10 treat the
question according 10 what | presume to
be the terms Of the treaty. If without the
Ioss of national character, without the haz.
ard offoreign war, with the general con-
currence of the nation, without any dan
ger to the integrity of the Union, and
without giving any unreasonable price for
Texas, the question of annexation were
presented, it would appear in quite diff.
ferent light from that in which, appre-
bend, it is now TO be regarded.
The United States acquired a title to
Texas, extending, as | believe, to the Rio
del Norte, by the treaty of louisiana
They coded and reinquished 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 admins
tration Of Mr. Monroe and with the con-
currence of his Cabinet, Of which Messrs.
Crawford, Calhoun and Writ being a
majority, all southern gentlemen, compos-
ed part. When the treaty was laid be.
fore the House of Representatives, being
a member of that body, l expressed the
opinion, which | then entertained, and
still hold, that Texas was sacrificed to the
acquisition Of FLORIDA. We wanted Flor
ida; but thought it must, from its posi-
ton, inevitably fall into our possession
that the point of few years, sooner or la
ter, was of no sort Of consequence, and that
in giving five millions Of dollars and Tex-
as for it, we gave more than fair equiva-
lent. But, if we made great sacrifice in
the surrender of Texas, we ought to take
care not to make too great sacrifice in
the attempt to re-acquire it.
My opinions of the expediency of the
treaty of 1919 did not prevail. The coun-
try and Congress were satisfied with it,
appropriations were made to carry it into
effect, the line OF the Sabine was recogniz
ed BY US as our boundary, in negotiations
both with Spain and Mexico, after Mexico
became independent, and measures have
been in actual progress to mark the line
from the Sabine to Red river, and thence
10 the Pacific ocean. We have thus fairly
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