Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-09-06
7 Mr.. CLEMENS. SENATOR OF THE U. g..
| FROM ATARAMA


We regret to learn that Mr.. Clemens has been COM
PEELED by ndisposition TO return home we hope ne
will be able recruit his constitution. The spirit
which Mr. c. displayed in his last remarks in the Be-
Monday last of the most liberal and con-
cilatory description. We lay before readers the
following letter from this gentleman, originally publish
ed in the Montgomery (Alabama) Advertiser. We
hail its conciliatory tone with great pleasure:
WAsH1NetoN, August20, 1850.
DEAR SIR: | have just received the Advertiser and
Gazette of the 18th instant. find that the editors oil
that paper charge Colonel King and myself with selling
portion Of Texas to make free soil, because an
abolition President has dra,on the scord and me.
naced violence This is a grave charge, and should
have been well considered before it was published
make no pretensions to extraordinary courage, and
am willing to leave it to those who know me to decide
how far 1nendceS would be likely to influence my
course To that part of the article have no reply to
make.
No part of Texas has been sold for any purpose
Nothing more has been done than to submit propose.
ton to Texas to settle question OF boundary admitted
on all hands to be ul OF difficulty: 1t is at her option
to accept or reject the offer 1t will not do to argue
that the large amount of money offered her VIII pas
unfairly the action OF her Legislature Put the quesoh
TO any Aabamian--ask him if he thinks our state
would sell her poorest county to abohonlsm Tor all e
treasures of the Union, and he would treat the question
insult Are we to assume that we are peter than
others-that Texas will accept what we would Spurn :
In voting for Pearce's BILL put the question where
thought it ought to be put. left it TO be decided by
those who have the deepest interest in its correct dec-
sion, ana III whose honesty, WHos6 duu
valor, have the most entire confidence Besides, the
right of Texas to the territory in question is by nc
SO clear to preclude settlement by arbitra-
ton agreement. A large party in the Union deny
her right any territory beyond the Nueces Another
party insists that the line of l02 west longitude is he
western boundary. Still another, while admitting the
title Of Texas to the Lower Rio Grande, deny her claim
to all above the SD parallel Of north latitude When
the question submitted directly 10 the Senate, there
but eighteen senator's who voted to confirm her
title claimed by herself In this conflict of opinion
who is to decide Was there case which more
mperatvey demanded settlement by mutual agree
ment speak not fthe territory which it is said
size has given up. The fact must first be established
that she has given up any territory at ALL Ii she has,
instead Of making part of Texas free soil, we have
made the whole OF New Mexico slave soil We get clear
of the Mexican law abolishng slavery, which is said to
prevail in New Mexico, and extend the laws of Texas
over the country. The inhabitants OF New Mexico
nearly all reside the east bank OF the Rio Grande
which, if it be part OF Texas, slave SOIL and will
come n as slave State, the number Of inhabitants
Of the Rio Grande being too inconsderabe to have
any influence in determining the character OF the law
was willing trust Texas with the OF her own
honor. was also willing to trust to her knowledge OF
her rights and still think hat in doing have done
well. l knew that the vote would subject me to mis-
construction and hence gave it with some reuc-
lance, but never doubted its CORE ctness.
Your friend, JERE. CLEMENS.