Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1848-04-20
LETTER FROM MIR. CLAY.

LEI LEN FNON NJ Il. CLAY.
The following letter from the Hon. HEN
Ry CLAY settles the disputed point, as to
his desire to be candidate Tor the Presi-
dency:
TO THE PUBLIC.
The various and conflicting reports which
have been in circulation, in regard to my
intentions with respect to the next Presi-
dency, appear to me to furnish proper oc-
casion for full; frank and explicit exposi-
ton of my feelings, wishes and views upon
the subject. This it is now proper TO make.
With strong disinclina,ion to the use of
my name again in connection with that Of
fee, left my residence in December last,
under determination to announce to the
public in some suitable form, my desire not
10 be though, of as a candidate. During
my absence, frequently expressed to differ
ent gentlemen my unwillingness to be again
in tina, attitude, but though no one was au-
,horised TO publish my decision one way or
The other, having reserved the right to do so
exclusively to myself, on reflection, |
though, i. was due to my friends to con-
suit with them before took decisive and
final step.
Accordingly within the course of the last
three months, I have had opportunity Of
comforting fully and freely with Them
Many of them have addressed to me the
strongest appeals and the most earnes. en-
,reaies, both verbally and written. to dis
suatle me from executing my intended pur-
pose. They represented to me that the
withdrawal of my name would be fatal to
,he success, and perhaps lead to the disso|u-
lion Of the party with which have been as
socia'ed, particularly in the free Stales
that at no former period did there ever exist
so grea, probability of nv election, if
would consent to the use of my name that
the great States Of New ork and Ohio
would in all probability cas-. their votes for
me that N. York would more certainly
bestow her suffrage upon me than upon any
other candidate; that Ohio would give her
vote to no candidate residing in the slave
States but to me !; that there is better pros
pect than has heretofore a. any time existed,
aha, Pennsylvania would unite with them;
that no candidate can be elected without the
concurrence of two of these three States,
and none could be defeated upon whom all
of them should be united; that great num-
bers of our fellow citizens, both of native
and and foreign birth, who were deceived,
and therefore voted against me at the last
election, are now eager ior an opportunity
of bes,owing their suf1rages upon me that
willis, there is strong and decided prefer
ence for me entertained by the great body
Of the Wing party Throughout, the u. States,
ahey-the friends to whom ] refer-are
convinced that am more available than any
candidate that could be presented for the A.
american people. do not pretend TO vouch
fnr tie accuracy Of all these representations,
although \ do not entertain doub. that
tsley have been honestly made and are sim
cerely believed. It has been moreover urg-
ed 10 me that the great obligations under
which have been hitherto placed by large
portion Of the people Of the United States, the
full force of which no one can be more sem
sible of than am, demanded tina. should
not withhold the use of my name ifi should
he requested; and have been reminded of
frequent declarations which ] have made,
.ha. willis, life and health remain, man is
Bound to render his best services upon the
call Of his country.
Since my return home, have anxiously
lelibera,ed upon my duty, to myself, to my
principles, to my friends, and above all, to
my country. The confc, between my un-
affected desire to continue in private life as
most congenial with my feelings and condi-
ton, and my wish faithfully to perform all
my public duties, has been painful and en-
barrassing. If refuse the use of my name,
and those injurious consequences should
ensue which have been so confidently pre-
dic,ed by my friends, ] should justly incur
their reproaches, and the reproaches of my
own heart; and if, on the contrary, should
assent to the use Of my name, whatever the
result may be-, ] shall escape both. ] have
therefore finally decided TO leave to the Ma
aio,,al Convention which is to assemble in
June, the consideration of my name, in con-
neclion with such others as may be present.
ed to il. to make a selection of suitable
candidate for President Of the United Sta'es;
and whatever may be the issue OF lis fair and
full deliberations, it will meet with my
prompt and cheerful acquiesc.nce. II will
be seen from what have stated, that there
was reason to antici pate that 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 Citizen have avowed a preference
for, and directed their attention to the dis.in-
guished names of other citizens Of the United
States. take pleasure in truly declaring
that ] have no regrets to express-no COM
plaints-no reproaches to make on accoun,
Of any such preferences which ! am fully
persuaded are generally founded on homes.
and patriotic conviction. H. CLAY.
ASHLAND, April 10, 1913.
Ham HAMA man named P;orro