The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1848-04-27
HENRY CLAY,S LETTER.

have been in circulation, in regard I" ~,
intentions which respect to the Presidency.
appear To me to furnish proper occa-,'n
ior full, frank and explicit exposition "I
my feelings, wishes and views upon the
subject. This il is now my purpose 1"
Vankc
With strong disinclin,,inn 60 the use
Of my name again in connection with tina,
Office, lek my residence in December last,
uade< discrimination 10 ann",,nce 10 the
public, in some suitable form. INV desire no,
10 he thought of ms II candidate. Daring
my absence, | frequently expressed 10 dit
fesent gentlemen INV nnwillingncss to be
uvnin in that attitude; b,s No "nc WINS al.
tsorized to publish my decision one way "r
the other, having preserved the right to d"
90 exclusively myself On reflection, J
,ho,gls i was due To ms friends 1" consult
with them beEre tM'k n decisive STEP
Accordingly, IL the course of the last three
months, l have had many opportunities ot
comforting fully and freely with ,hem.-
MANY Il them have addressed to me the
strongest appeals, and the most earnest en-
ireat;es, both verbally mud written, 10 dis
suadc me from executing nv intended pur-
pose. They hive represented to mo that
the withdrawal If my name would be fatal
to tho success, md perhaps lead 10 the dis
solution Of the party with which | have
heen associaied, especially IN tho free
States; that at no former period did there
ever exist, 40 great n probability ofmv cleo
ton, il would consent to the use of nv
names tina, the great States of New York
and Ohio would. in all human probability,
cast their votes for me: that New York
would more certainly bestow the suffrage
upon me than nnv other candidate, and that
Ohm would give her vote to no candidate
residing in the slave States. but TO me; that
there 10 better prospect than has hereto
fore nj my time existed; TINT Pennsylva
nin would Unite with them; TINT no candi-
date cnn he elected withnut the concur
renee oi two Of these three States, aud
nome could be defeated, upon whom all
three of them should be united, that crca,
numbers of our fellow. citizens, both al M
tive and foreign birth. who we're deceived
aud therefore voted against me ut the las,
election, nre INV enger l"r mn opportunity
of Lcstowing their sutirncrs i,r me; and
that there is strong and decided prefer.
encc for me, entertained hy the great body
M the Wing party through"n, the United
Suites, they (thc friends To whom refcr)
At tho same time arc convinced that I am
more available than anv candidate that
could he presented to the American people.
do not pretend to vonch fur the accn-
racy If all these representations. although
! d., no, entertain doiht that they have
been honestly made, and are sincerely be-
lieved.
Il has been moreover urged In me that
the great obligations under which have
been hitherto placed. hv lnree portion &C
the People of the United States. the mll
i:,rce of which no one Gnu be m,re sensible
aftham | nm. demand tina, should not with
hold the use Of nv name. il it he required.
And hive l,ecn reminded of frequent dec.
lnrs,ions which | have made that, willis,
lifc and heslth remnin. mnn is hound :"
render his hest services upon the call ~
his country.
Since nv return home have nnvio,lsly
dciihcrn,cd upon nv duty t. myself, to NV
country. The conflict between INV nnni.
feclcd desire TO continue in private life. rs
most congenial with nv feelings mud con.
dtion and my wish fni, hf,,llv Ia perform all
my public duties, has been painful and EN-.
barrnssiny. lf | refuse The use of my
name, and those injurious consequences
should eusnc, which have hcen 81 conf
IDENTIFY predicted by friends. l should Justly
incur their reproachcs, md the reprmches
of my own heart. Aud, il. on the contrary.
] should assent ~ the use NJ INV name.
whniever the result MAJ be, shall escape
both.
have, therefore, finally decided to leave
10 the National Convention. which is 10 as
semblc June next, the consideration Of my
own nnine, in c0nnexion with snch others
~ may I've presented IN il. IL make n sclec.
eion of suitable candidate fnr Prcsiden,
0f the United States. And whatever NAV
be the issue of its fair and full deliberations.
il will NEE, with my prompt aud cheerful
acqnicsccncc.
i will he seen from what have stated.
that there was reasoa 10 anticipate, that !
would decline giving my consent 10 the use
nc my namc again as candidate fur the
Presidency Of the u. States. owing perhaps
20 this, M well MS MANY oiher cnuses. ma
ny of my friends aud fellow. citizens hive
nvowsd preference for, mud directed their
attention tn the distinguished names ri
other citizens of the United States. take
pleasure in truly declaring TINT have no
regrets to express, no complaints, no re.
proaches IL make on account of aay prefer
cnces, which am fully persuaded arc gen.
orally funded on honest aud pn,rin,ic con-
victions. Il. CLAY.