The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-05-14
The Steamers.

served earlier In the morning
The Steamers.
II is now generally believed that the Hermann
did not leave Southampton till the the 9th ult.
The Cambria was 10 have left Liverpool on the
18th. Both steamers are, therefore, over due.
We shall issue an Extra Herald Immediately after
receiving our foreign letters and papers
Important Presidential observation-disclosures
able Correspondence between Mr.. Clay and
General Taylor.
Everything is fraught with interest that is con-
nected with the nominations which are soon to be
made by the two conventions-the one at Balt-
more, and the other at Philadelphia Politicians and
their friends full of business as they
at present. For the last six months article has
followed article and letter after letter has been pub
lished from the various candidates, giving their
opinions and defining their positions before the
public, in order to set some mistaken persons
right, as to their views and principles. The most
recent epistolary political documents have been
those of Mr.. Clay and General Taylor. Mr.. Clay's
famous circular was dated at Ashland the tenth of
April, and ii struck the community with some Pc
culiar sensations. Ii was new mode of appear
ing before the country, and its novelty created re-
marks of a certain kind in every quarter. The
next correspondence which attracted attention,
was the two letters of General Taylor-one ad-
dressed to the editor of the Richmond Republican,
dated April the twentieth, and the other to Captain
Allison, two days afterwards on the twenty-se-
cond of April.
The letters of both these distinguished men have
been before the world for some time and have ell
cited variety of remarks; but they do not disclose
all the correspondence that has taken place on the
subject NE hare the best reasons for kno,ci,g that
cotemporaneous tcith the dates of those letters from
Gen. Taylor and Mr.. clay, ,chich haze been pub
hshed, pirate correspondence took place bet,ceen
these distinguished personages, of uery remarkable
character, disclosing rie,cs and principles and feelings
the part of each, uhch ,cW hare most important
bearing on the nomination of the ,clig national
contention, aud probably on the result of the Pyesi-
Dental election. We have received this information
within the last few days, from the South and West
and on such authority confines us of the truth of
the facts therein set forth. We shall state the par
ucuars, as far as they have been disclosed
This correspondence between Mr.. Clay and Gen
Taylor was commenced by Mr.. Clay. On or about
the 10th of April, cotemporaneously with the date
of Mr.. Clay's famous circular, that gentleman
wrote private letter to Gen. Taylor containing
many of the opinions and views on the Presidency
which he gave in his circular, and also additional
particulars directed particularly to Gen. Taylor
and intended to affect his feelings as to the result
of his nomination by the wing convention in Phila-
delphia. In this letter Mr. Clay stated to Gen
Taylor that he would be inJurng his own prospects
and position by permitting his name to be used az
a candidate for the Presidency by the wing conven
ton, and that if he to be nominated by the
convention, he had no chance of succeeding, being
only sure, at the last resort of Arkansas MISSISSIPPI
pl, Louisiana, and some other small States-whilst
he, Mr.. Clay. was decidedly sure of New York,
Pennsylvania, Ohio, and other large States of the
East. Mr. Clay also gave General Taylor to under
stand that IL would be very hazardous for the latter
TO trust himself such a contingency, as his friends
meaning those of Mr. Clay-would certainly or
game an opposition against him, at all hazards,
and defeat his election.
This appears to be the sum and substance of the
letter written by Mr.. Clay to General Taylor. To
this letter the old hero sent note, in terms very
similar to those which he addressed to Santa An
ma and other generals whom he encountered in
Mexico. He gave Mr.. Clay to understand that
he had the highest opinion of Mr.. Clays principles
sagaclty, and his prospects of being the next Pre-
sldent, and all that sort of thing but that for him.
self, he would not alter his position towards the
people Of the United States, by the advice of any
man. and that he would continue to hold that posi-
ton at all hazards, and take all the consequences
This correspondence has produced decided
breach gradually increasing to a very bitter kind
between Mr.. Clay and General Taylor and may
account for some of the remarkable sentiments pat
forth few DAYS afterwards in the celebrated letter
of the General, TO the editor of the Richmond Re
publican, particularly those contained in the fol-
lowing passage of IT,
Secondly do not design TO withdraw my name if
Mr. Clay be the nominee of the wing national conyen-
tion-and in this connection. beg permission TO re-
mark that the stateme which have been positive
~ made In some Of the northern prints, to the effect
that should MIR Clay be the nominee of the wing
tional convention had stated that would not suf-
Ter my name To be used not correct, and have
foundation In oral written remark Of mine. IL
has not been my intention at any moment. TO change
my position to withdraw nv name from the canvass
whoever may be the nominee Of the national convcn-
ton, either Of the wing or democratic party"
Every one was surprised at reading this letter
when il was published; but its sentiments seem 20
be now explained by the revelations which we
make of the private correspondence which took
place between these distinguished gentlemen. only
a few days previously, Oh the same question. The
position of Mr.. Clay and General Taylor is ire
concileably hostile, and that position will soon be
assumed by their respective friends, in the wing
convention and out Of it, and the consequences
will probably be not only fatal to Mr. Clay, but ha-