Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1848-04-20

Of conversing fully and
freely with them. Many Of them have
addressed to me the strongest appeals
and the most earnest entrea,ies, both
verbally and written, to dissuade me
from executing my intended purpose
They represented TO me shat the with.
|drawal Of my name would be fatal 10
the success, and perhaps lead TO the
dissolution of the party with which I
have been associated, particularly in
the free States; that a, no former peri.
oc did there exis, so great probabili.
ty of my election, If ! woult consent 10
The use of my name; that the great
States of New York and Ohio would,
in all probability, cast their votes for
me; that New York would more Ger.
tainly beslow her suffrage upon me
,han any other candidate; that Ohio
would give her vote to no candidate
residing in the slave States but to me;
that there is better prospect than had
heretofore at any time existed, that
Pennsylvania would unite with them;
that no candidate can be elected with
out the concurrence of two of these
three States, and none could DC
ted upon whom all Of them did
be united; that great numbers of our
fellow.ci lizens, both of native and for.
eign birth, who were deceived, and
therefore voted against me at the last
election, are now eager for an opportu.
nifty of 6estowing their suffrages upon
me; that Wills, there is a strong and
decided preference for me, entertained
by :he great body Of the whig party
throughout, the United States, they
the friends to whom ! refer-are con-
WINGED that | am more available than
any candidate that could be presented
for The American people. | do not
pretend to youch for the accuracy Of
all these representations, although l
do not entertain doubt tina, they have
been honestly made, and are sincerely
believed. 1t has been, moreover, urged
to me, that the great obligations to
which | have been hitherto placed by
large portion of The people Of the Uni.
ted States, the full force of which no
one can be more sensible of than | am,
demand that | should no, withhold The
nse of my name if it should be reqnes.
ted; and have been reminded of fire..
qnent declarations which | have mntle,
that whilst life and health remain,
man is bound 10 render his best seryi.
ces upon the call of his country.
Since my return home, ] have an
xously deliberated upon my duty to
myself, to my prIncipleS,to my friends,
and, above all, to my country. The
conflict between my unaffected desire
to continue inprivaie life, as most con.
genial TO my feelings and condition,
and my wish faithfully to perform all
my public duties, has been painful and
embarrassing. If lref,se the use of
my name, and those injurious conse-
qnences should ensue which have been
so confidently predicted Oy my friends,
| should justly incar their rrproaches,
and the reproaches Of my own heart;
and if, on the contrary. l should assen,
to the use Of my name, whatever the
result, may be, shall escape both. 1
have therefore finally decided to leave
to the national convention which is to
assemble next June, the consideration
of my name, in connexion with such
others as may be presented to it, TO
make a selection of suitable candl-
date for President of the United States;
and whatever may be the issue of its
fair and full deliberations, ii will meet
with my prompt and cheerful acquies.
cence. 1t will be seen from what
have related, that there was reason 10
anticipate tina, would decline giving
my consent to the use of my name
again AS candidate for the presidency
Of the United States Owing perhaps,
to this, as well as other causes, many
Of my friends and fellow ilizens have
avowed preference for, and directed
their attention to, the distinguished
names of other citizens of the United
States. take pleasure in truly decla-
ring that have no regrets to express
no compalnts--no reproack.1 10
make on account Of any such prefer
ence, which am fully persuaded are
generally founded on honest and pa.
'rlotic convictions. H. CLAY.
ASHLAND, April II, 1S4S.