Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-04-22
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.
Mn. CLAY's LETTER.

when ,he Telegraphic report Of the ! etter Of Mr..
CLAY 10 the Public reached US through the Phila-
delphia and Baltimore papers, we did not feel at
liberty 10 withhold it from our readers, though ap-
pretending possible errors in the transmission. We
have now before us the printed copy received
from Lexington. On comparing it with the tale-
graphed copy we find the latter to have been sur
prisingy accurate upon the whole. There are two
or three variations, however, which il not very ma
teral, are such as to induce us rensert the letter
in its authentic form, as follows:
TO THE PUBLIC.
The various and conflicting reports which have been in cir
cuaon regard intentions with respect othe next Pres
dency appear to me 10 furnish proper occsson for tu
frank and explicit exposition OF my feelings, wishes and
views upon THAI subject This is my purpose to make
With strong isncliaaon to the of my again
in connexon with that Office c my residence IN December
last under determination TO announce TO the public IN some
suitable form my desire not thought Of candidate
During my absence fequeaty expressed to different gentle
my unwlngness be again in that attitude, but no
authorized publish my decision one way or the
other having reserved the right 10 exclusively my
self On ielecon thought ii due my friends to
suit with them before took final and decisive step. Ac
corngly the OF the three months have had
many opportunities of comforting fully and freely with them
Many of them have addressed the strongest appeals
and the most earnest entreate both verbally and wren 70
dlssnade from executing my intended purpose they have
represented that the withdrawal OF my name would be
fatal to the success and perhaps lead to tie dissolution o the
party with which have been associated especially IN the free
States that former period did there exist so great
probability Of my election if would consent to the use Of
my that The great States OF New ork and Ohio would
in all human probability their votes for that New York
would more certainly beso suffrage upon than
other candidate; and that Ohio would give her
date residing in the slave States but that there
better prospect than has heretofore any time existed that
Pennsylvania would unite with them; that candidate
be elected without Of those three States
and could be defeated upon whom all three Of them should
he uned that great numbers Of eowcizen, both Of
native and foreign bh who deceived and therefore voted
against The last election eager FOR opportunity
Of bestowing their susges upon and that whilst there
IS song and decided preference for entertained by the
great body Of the Wing party throughout the United States
hey-tae ends 10 whom refe-at The time
vnced that available than any candidate that could
be presented the american people DO pretend
vouch for the accuracy Of oil these representations although
DO entertain doubt that they have been honestly made
and are sincerely believed.
Il has been urged that the great obligations
under which have been hitherto placed large portion OF the
people Of the United States the full force of which
be sensible Of than am demand that should not with
hold the Of my if it be required aud have been
reminded Of frequent declarations which have made, that
whilst life and health remain Is hound TO render his
best services upon the call Of his county
Since my home have anxousy delberated upon
my duty to myself to my principles, to my friends, and,
above all, my country. The conflict between my unafffc;
ed desire continue private life, congenia with
feelings and condition, and my wish faithfully perform ali
my pubic duties, hss been painful, and embarrassing If
refuse the my name and those injurious consequences
should which been confidently predicted BY
friends, should justly incur their reproache and the
proaches Of my heart and it, the contrary, should
assent to the Of my name, whatever the result may he,
shall escape both
have therefore finally decided TO leave the National
Convention, which assemble June the considea-
ton Of my name, with such others may be
presented it, make selection Of suitable candidate for
President the United States and whatever may be the
Of Its fair and full deliberations will with my prompt
and cheerful acquiescence.
II will be seen from what have stated that there
anticipate that would decline giving my
the Of my again candidate for the Presidency
Of the United States Owing, perhaps 70 this well as
other causes many Of my friends and fellow citizens have
svowed preference for and directed their attention the
distinguished Of other citizens Of the United States
take pleasure in truly declaring that have no regrets
press-no complaints, reproaches make OF
any such preferences which fully persuaded generally
founded on honest and patriotic convictions.
AsaLAsD, APRrL 10, ls4s. II. CLAY.