New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1848-07-04
Letter, Of GOV. ow.Iey and Henry Clay.

At.-I A.N .H.r
Governor Owsiey having rendered % Mr. Clay
the Office 90 Senator made vacant by the res -ua.
ton of Nr Crifteudeu. - have thought the conn.
try would be interested in knowing the grounds
cn which - .,ss offered, and Mr CIays reasons ior
declining We have therefore procured copies of
the espondeucs tor publication, which VIII be
found below
FRANEFoRr. June 90 l-i-
Hon HENRY CLAY. Dear sr-AltL0ugh Official i'm
formation of the - has not reached me, ] learn
through ths Wac fgf0n papers that A trttcnlen bias
resigned bis seat n t1r lifted states senate and tnai
vacancy now exists n the kenruky Representation u
that body This vacancy q. h my purpose % nj as soon
practicable alter receiving Official Information there
Or and 10 casting about ior IN individual u o. mat re
sp0Ls be station my mind rests upon no one that would
prove satisfactory 90 Kentucky, and. may add. %
the whole MON y0ursci
The .etflfreu OF the Questions that viii arise out OF
our late Treaty with Mexico. 10 is easy 20 forc-ee viii
greatly sgitate ne country and probably eudau-er
than u has ever been endangered the stability Of our
Union.
Itrnay BE- a.it heretofore has been YOUR fortune on
0rmes memorable occasions 90 aay domestic strife OF
alarming character and save the country from impend
ing ruin.
But even fthcre were nothing IN our domestic affairs
% require TO- there everything IN our foreign relations
20 call for the wisdom and prudence Of cur Statesmen
These relations any day liable o. be thrown into
confusion and involved in great danger. Europe De-
known % be- deeply sgitaed n every quarter-Rev0lu
ton j. pervading every Government Of the old world
10 could not Boz said tO be unexpected 70 the very next
steamer should bring the news Of general war IN
Europe such catastrophe u % did not involve as IN
collision OF arms. would inevitably bung upon us great
commercial revulsi0ns.
In such state of affairs country would surely be
entitled the services OF her wisest and longest tried
Statesmen.
Would De a suffcien; reason for y0w absence from
your c0untrys councils n state of things Ike this for
you 20 say have taken formal leave OF the senate
4 patriot is discharged but by death BY con
.iderations OF this sort therefore respectfully urge
4.sr fHfaI rIrrr held UyTf
fore converted with you the sub ect, and 20 consent
20 % the Senate OF the United states Your DO
ing 20. have no doubt would meet with the warm ap
probation OF large majority OF the people OF kentucky
and would be hailed with pleasure by your friends
throughout the Union By conveying me. soon as
possible your views and determination in the premises
you will o5ige, Your friend and obedent serv,t
WIN OWSLEI.
ASHLAND. June p Isis.
DEAR sm have the honor 70 acknowledge the re-
cept Of your letter OF the 10Th inst delivered 10
yesterday by Secretary Mitchell, rendering me tenn
porary appointment OF Senator from Kentucky, in
consequence of vacancy produced by the resignation
of Mr. Crttenden. Your Exceency is pleased 10 urge
me 20 accept the Office from various reasons, which.
admit possess considerable force There is much
ground 10 apprehend that both In our domestic and
foreign relations grave and m0mentOus questions may
arise the proper adjustment Of which Will require all
the moderation, wisdom and experience which can be
When you were kind enough, some weeks ago, % in
innate that you had intended in the event Of the
vacancy which has since occurred, 70 offer me an Exc
cutve appointment il IL true that observed you that
as ! had taken formal and hnal leave OF the United
states Senate could not return 10 without apparent
Inconsistency and some personal embarrassment But
this not the only consideration that weighed with
me. Ms service IN the two Chambers of Congress hid
been long and ar1uous ! had remained in the Senate
longer than wished, al the instance Of the General
Assembly of Kentucky ] needed retirement and re-
pose and there many highly competent citizens
of the state. from whom easy selection might be-
made % supply my place
II there we're a certainty that any great emergency
would arise and that better than another could assist
DO conducting the Government safely through IT, obey
lug the paramount duty which one owes ever 20 me-
country. would suppress all repugnancc which feel
the resumption Of seat IN the senate disregard AT
etiquette make any per-onal sacrihccs ana proceed
with alacntv the post which might be- assigned me
But dark and threatening the clouds which over
hang us hope that they will be dispersed without any
storm bursting upon our heads but II IL should come,
am persuaded that the Commonwealth has many cifi.
zens more able than TO and is effects
must, therefore adhere 10 the resolution which
bad communicated 10 your EXceilcncy and respectfully
decline accepting the appointment which you have had
the goodness 20 offer me
lit were possible Tor me TO reconcile 20 my feelings
and 10 sense OF public duty my return 10 the senate,
there are minor considerations opposed 20 my
ceptancc OF temporary appointment not without
weight my mind The Session OF the senate is draw
ing 20 a close. By the time that could make prcpaia
tons for the journey and reach Washington, very
short remnant of 10 would be- leit during which could
render no essential service. And again the Executive
appointment terminating with the meeting OF the Gen
era Assembly. that body will have 20 perform the duty
Of designating Mr.. Cnteudon's successor. / am un.
willing 20 be- in position which might occasion i the
least embarrassment In the choice OF that successor
request your Exceency 10 accept my profound ac-
acknowledgements for the distinguished proof OF the con
fdcnce IN me- which you do the honor 10 entertain
have the honor 10 bee. with the hghestrespcct
Your Excclency's Obedient servant, H. CLAY.
H. frr-Ierty Wn. Owslel, &c. Sc.