Evansville Journal, Volume 10, Number 23, Evansville, Vanderburgh County, 16 May 1844 — Page 4

MR. CLAY ON THE TEXAS QUES-

TION. The following Letter from Mr. Clat to the Editors was forwarded from Raleigh on the day of its date, but did not reach our hands in time for publication earlier than to-day. Eds. Nat. Intelligencer. To the Editors of the Nat. Intelligencer; Raleigh, April 17, 1S44. Gestlksies: Subsequent to my departure from Ashland, in December last, I received various communications from popular assemblages and private individuals, requesting an expression of my opinion upon the Annexation of Texas to the United States. I have forborns to reply to tbem because it was not very convenient, during the progress of my journey, to do so, and for other reasons. 1 did not think it proper unnecessardy to introduce at present anew element among the other exciting subjects which agitate and engross the public mind. The rejection of the overture of Texas some years ago, to become annexed to the United States had met with general, acquiescence. Nothing had since occured materially to vary the question. I had seen no evidence of a de sire being entertained on the part of any considerable portion of the American people that Texas should become ac integral part of the United States. During my sojourn in New Orleans, I had indeed been greatly surprised by information which I received from Texas, that in the course of last Fall a voluntary overture had proceded from the Exe cutive of ibe United States to the Authorities of Texas to conclude a Treaty of Annex ation; and that, in order to overcome the re pugnance felt by any of them to a negociation on the subject, strong and as I believed erroneous representations had been made to them of a state of opinion in the Senate of the U. States, favorable to the ratification of such a Treaty. According to these repre sentations it had been ascertained that a number ofSenators varying from thirty-five to forty-two were ready to sanction such a Treaty. I was aware, too, that holders ofj Texas lands and Texas scrip, and speculators in them were actively engaged in promoting the object of annexation. Still, I did pot believe that any Executive of the U.j States would venture upon so grave and mo-, m eaous a procedlug, not only without any general manifestation of public opinion in favor of it, but in direct opposition to strong and decided expressions of public disapprobation. Rut it appears that I was mistaken. To the astonishment of the whole nation we are now informed that a Treaty of Annexation, has actually been concluded, and is to be submitted to the Senate for jts consideration. The motives for my silence therefore no longer remain, and I feel it to be my " duty to present an exposition of my views and opinions upon the question, for what ihey may be worth to the public consideration. I adopt this method a3 being more convenient than several replies to the res pective communications which I have received,, I regret that I have not the advantage of a view of the Treaty itself, so as to enable me to adapt an expression of my opinion to the aetuaf conditions and stipulations which 1 it contains. Not possessing that opportunity, I am constrained to treat the quesion according to what I presume to be the terms ef treaty. If, without the loss of national character, without the hazard of foreign war With the general concurrence of the nation, . without any danger to the integrity of the Union, and without giving an unreasonable price for Texas, the question of annexation was presented, it would appear in quite a different light from that in which I apprehend u is now to be regarded, ; The United States ccuired a title to Texas, extending, as I believe, to the Rio -del Ncrt,by the treaty of Louisiana. They ceded and relinquished this title to Spain by the treaty of 18X9, by which the Sabine was substituted for the Rio del Norte as our western boundary, This treaty was negociated under the administration of Mr. Mon roe, and with the concurrence of his cabinet .of -which Messrs. Crawford, Calhoun and Wirt, being a majority, composed a part When the treaty was laid before the House of Representatives, being a member of that body, I expressed the opinionwhich I then 1 . 1 1 l 11 -i m entertained ana stm noia tnat iexas was sacrificed to the acquisition of Florida. We wanted Florida, but I thought it must from its position evidently fill into our possession; that the point of a few years, sooner or later, was of no sort of consequence, and that in gi-;ng five millions of dollars and Texas for it, we gave uiore. t!;an a just equivalent. But if we made a great sacrifice in the surrender of Texas, we ought to take care not to make too great a sacrifice in the attempt - to re-acquire it. My opinions of the inexpediency of the treaty of 1819 did not prevail. The country and Congress are satisfied with it, appropriations were made to carry it into efibct, the line of the Sabine was recognized by us as our boundary, in negociatious both with Rmin and Mexico, after Mexico became in-

(dependent, and measures have been in actual

progress to markjtlie line, from the Sabine to Red River, and thence to the Pacific Ocean. We have thus fairly alienated our title" to Texas, by solemn national compacts, to the fulfilment of which we stand bound by good faith and national honor, It is, therefore, perfectly idle and ridiculous if not dishonorable; to talk of resuming our title to Texas as if we had never parted with it. We can no more do that than Spain can resume Florida, France Louisiana, Great Britain the thirteen colonies now Composing part of the United States. During the administration of Mr. Adams, Mr. Poinsett, Minister of the United States at Mexico was instructed by me, with the President's authority, to propose a re-purchase of Texas; but he forebore even to make an overture for that purpose. Upon h'13 return to the United States, he informed me at New Orleans, that his reason for not making it was that he knew the purchase was wholly impracticable, and that he was persuaded that if he made the overture, it would have no other effect than to aggra vate irritations already existing, upon mat ters of difference between the two coun trie's. The events which have since transpired in Texas are well known. She revolted a gainst the Governmet of Mexico, flew to arms, and finally fought and won the memo rable battle of San Jacinto, annihilating a Mexican army and making a captive of the Mexican President. The signal success of that Revolution was greatly aided, if not wholly achieved, by citizens of the United States who had mifrrated to Texas. These succors, if they could not always be preven ted by the Government of the United States were furnished in a manner and to an exten which brought upon us some national re proach in the eyes of an impartial World And, in my opinion, they impose on us the obligation of scrupulously avoiding the im putation of having instigated and aided the Revolution with the ultimate view of terri torial aggrandizement. After the battle of San Jacinto, the United States recognized the independence of Texas, in conformity with the principle and practice which have always prevailed in their councils of recognizing the Government ude facto'1'' without regarding the question dejurc. That recognition did not affect or impair the rights of Mexico, or change the relations which ex. isted between her and Texas. She, on the contrary, has preserved all her rights, and has continued to assert, and so far as 1 know yet asseits, her right to reduce Texas to obe" dience, as a part of the Republic of Mexico. According to late intelligence, it is probable that she has agreed upon a temporary suspension of hostilities; but if that ha3 been done, I presume it is with the purpose, upon the termination of the armistice, of renewing the war and enforcing her rights, as she considered them. This narative shows the present actual condition of Texas, so far as I have informa tion about it. If it be correct, Mexico has not abandoned, but perseveres in the asserion of her rights by actual force of arms, which, if suspended, are intended to be re newed. Under these circumstances, if the Government ot the United States were to acquire Texas, it would acquire along with it all the incumbrances which Texas is under, and among them the actual or suspend ed war between Mexico and Texas. Of that consequence there cannot be a doubt. Annexation and war with Mexico are iden tical. Now, for one, I certainly am not wil ing to involve this country in a foreign war for the abject of acquiring Texas. I know there are those who regard such a war with indifference and as a trifling affair, on ac count of the weakness of Mexico, and her in' ability to inflict serious injury upon this coun try. But I do not look upon it thus lightly I regard all wars as great calamities, to be avoided, if possible, and honorable peace as the wisest and truest policy ot this country. What the United States most need are union peace, and patience. Nor do I think that the weakness of a Power should form a mo tive, in any case, for inducing us to engage in, or depreciate the evils of war. Honor and good faith and justice are equally due from this country towards the weak as to wards the strong. And, if an act of injus tice were to be perpetrated towards any Power, it would be more compatible with the dignity of the nation, and, in my judgment les3 dishonorable to inflict it upon a powerful instead of a weak foreign nation. But are we perfectly sure that we should be free from injury in a state of war with Mexico Have we any security that countless num bers of foreign aesselss, under the authority and flag of Mexico, would not prey uponou defenceless commerce in the Mexican gulf or the Pacific Ocean, and on every other sea and ocean? What commerce, on the other hand, does Mexico offer, as an indemnity for our losses, to the gallantry and enterprise of our countrymen,? This view of the sub ject supposes that the war would be coufin ed to the United States and Mexico as the only belligerents, But have we any certain

guaranty that Mexico would obtain no allies among the great European Powers? Sup

pose any such Powers, jealous of our increasing greatness, and disposed to check our growth and cripple us, were to take part in behalf of Mexico in the war, how would the different belligerents present themselves to Christendom and the enlightened world? We have been seriously charged with an in ordinate spirit of territorial aggrandisement; and, without admitting the justice of the charge, it must be owned that we have made vast acquisitions of territory within the last forty years. Suppose Great Britain and France, or one of them, were to take part with Mexico, and, by a manifesto, were to proclaim that their objects were to assist a weak and helpless ally to check the spirit of encroachment and ambition of an already overgrown Republic, seeking still further ac quisitions of territory, to maintain the inde pendence of Texas, disconnected with the United States, and to prevent the further pro pagation of slavery from the United States what would be the effect of such allegation; upon the judgment of an impartial and en lightened world? Assuming that the annexation of Texas is war with Mexico, is it competent to the treaty-making power to plunge this country into war, not only without the concurrence of, but without deigning to consult Congress, to which, by the constitution, belongs exclu sively the power of declaring war? I have hitherto considered the question upon the supposition that the annexation is attempted without the assent of Mexico. If she yields her consent, that would materially effect the foreign aspect of the question, if it did not remove all foreign difficulties. On the assumption of that assent the question would be confined to the domestic consider ations which belong tP if, embracing the terms and conditions upon which annexation is proposed. I do not think that Texas ought to be received into the Union, as an integral part of it, in decided opposition to the wishes of a considerable and respectable portion of the Confederacy. I think it far more wise and important to compose and harmonize the present confederacy as it now exists, than to introduce a new element of discoid and distraction into it. In my humble opinion, it should be the constant and earnest endeavor of American Statesmen to eradicate prejudices, to cultivate and foster concord, and to produce general contentment among all parts of our Confederacy. And true wisdom, it seems to me, points to the duty of rendering its present members happy, prosperous and satisfied with each other, rather than attempt to introduce alien members against the common consent, and with the deep dissatisfaction. Mr. Jefferson expressed the opinion and others believed,lhat it was never in the contemplation of the framers of the Constitution to add foreisn territory to the Confederacy, out of which new States were to be formed. The acquisition of Florida and Louisiana may be defended upon the puculiar ground of the relation in which in which they stood to the States of the Union. After they were admitted, we might well pause people our vast wastes, develop our resources, prepare means of defeuding what we possess, and augment our strength, power and greatness. If hereafter further territory should be wanted for an increaseu population, we neeu eutertam no apprehension but that it will be acquired by means, it is to be hoped fair, honorable and constitutional. ii is useless to aisguise tnat tnere are T. ' 1 T " .1 . those who espouse and those who oppose the annexation of Texas upon the ground ot the influence which it would exert in the balance of political power between two great sections of the Union. I conceive that no motive for the acquisition of foreign territo ry would be more unfortunate or pregnant with more fatal consequences, than that of obtaining it for the purpose of strengthening one part against another part of the common confederacy. Such a principle put into practical operation, would menace the existence, if it did not certainly sow the seeds of a dissolution of the Union. It would be to proclaim to the woild an insatiable and unquenchable thirst for foreign conquest or acquisition of territory. For if to-day Texas be acquired to strengthen one part of the Confederacy, to-morrow Canada may be re quired to add strength to another. And af ter that might have been obtained still othe r and further acquisitions would be necessary to equalize and ajust the balance of power. finally, in the progress of this spirit of univer. sal dominion, the part of the Confederacy that is now weakest, would find itself weaker from the impossibility of securing new theatres for the peculiar institutions which it is charged with being desirous to extend liut would iexas, uKimatcly, really add strength to that which is now considered the weakest part of the Confederacy? If my iniormation oe correct it would not. AcdMr.'' m fT n llm 4 l- r. i '. t C H vuiun.- iu mat, iiiu icn itoiy oi iexas is susceptible of a division into five States of con venient form and size. Of these, two only would be adapted to those peculiar institu tions to which I have referred, and the other

three, lying west aiu north of San Antonio being only adapted to farming and grazing purposes, from the nature of their soil, cli

mate and productions, would not admit of those institutions. In the end therefore, there would be two slave and three free States probably added to the Union. If this view of the soil and geography of Texas be correct, it might serve to diminish the zeal both of those who oppose and those who are urging annexation. Should Texas be annexed to the Union, the U. S. will assume and become responsi ble for the debt of Texas, be its amount what it may. W hat it is, I do not know certain ly; but the least I have seen it stated at, is thirteen millions of dollars. And this res ponsibility will exist, whether there be a stip ulation in the treaty or not expressly assum ing the payments of the debts of Texas. For I suppose it to be undeniable that, if one nation becomes incorporated in another, all the debts, and obligations, and incumbran ces, and wars of the incorporated nation, be comes the debts, and obligations, and in cumbrances,and wars of the common nation created by incorporation. ii any European nation entertains any ambitious designs upon Texas, such as that of colonizing her or in any way subjugating her, I should regard it as the imperative du ly ot tne uovernment ot the u. . to op pose such designs by the most firm and de termined resistance, to the extent if neces sary, of appealing to arms to prevent the ac comphshment of any such designs. The Executive of the U. S. ought to be inform ed as to the aims and views of foreign pow ers with regard to Texas, and I presume that if there be any of the exceptionable character which I have indicated, the Exe cutive will disclose to the co-ordinate depart ments of the Government, if net to the public, the evidence of them. From what I have seen and heard, I believe that Great Britain has recently formally and solemnly disavowed any such aims or purposes has declared that she is desirous only of the in dependence of Texas, and that she has no intention to interfere in her domestic institutions. If she has made such disavowal and declaration, I presume that they are in the possession of the Executive. In the future progress of events, it is probable that there will be a voluntary separ ation of the British North American possess ions from the parent country. I am strongly inclined to think that it will be best for the lappiuess of all parlies that, in that event, they should be erected into a seperate and independent Republic. With the Canadian Republic on one side, that of Texas on the other, and the United States the friend of both, between them, each would advance its own happiness by such constitutions, laws and measures, as were adopted to its peculiar condition. They would be natural al lies, ready, by co-operation, to repel any Eu ropean or foreign attack upon either. Each would afford a secure refuge to the persecuted and oppressed driven into exile by either of the ethers. They would emulate each other in improvements, in free institutions, and in the science "of self-government. Whilst Texas has adopted our Constitution as the model ot her's, she has in several important particulars, improved upon it. Although I have felt compelled, from the nature of the inquiries addressed to me, to extend this communication to a mu ch greater length than 1 could have wished 1 could not do justice to the subject, and fairly and fullv expose my own opinion in a shorter space. In conclusion, they may be stated in few words to be, that I consider the an nexation of Texas at this time, without the assent of Mexico, as a measure compromising the national character, involving us certain ly in war with Mexico, probably with other foreign Powers, dangerous to the integrity of the Union, inexpedient in the present fi naucial condition of the country, and not called for by any general expression of pub lie opinion. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, H. CLAY. Louisville Evansville and HENDERSN PACKET, FAWN. rrTTlIIS new and splendid last running Steam H er, having beeii buil expressly for this trade win ply regularly twice a weed between this place and Louisville, leaving Louisville every Wednesday and Saturday at 3 o'clock P. M. and Evansville every Thursday 2 o'clock f. SSI. ana onnuay u o'clock f. ftl. W. LI. STOCKWELL Agent, Evansville Nov. 23d 43-tf. COPARTNERSHIP. pyiIE UNDERSIGNED have tins day asso 2 ciattd MiPinselves under the tirm ol BaBCOCKS & SHAKFE, for 'the purpose of transacting a Genera! Grocery, Crockery To bacco, aud Produce business. EL1SHA S. BABCOCK, . . CHARLES BABCOCK. PETER SHARPE. Evansville Feb. 23 '44. tf.

EVANSVILLE journal extra. ': TO THE WHIGS OF THE FIRST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. -We are induced, by the persuasion of a number of our friends, and the friends of IIexey Clay and the Whig Cause, to make an offer to the Whigs of the First Congref atonal District, which we are satisfied they will readily accept. The stirring times of 1810 are again upon us, and it becomes the WThigs of the Country to prepare themselves for the contest. Our opponents are not asleep by any means, as the strenuous exertions they are every where making clearly prove, and we must meet them meet them at every point. The whole Nation will be flooded with locofoco documents, locofoco papers, and locofoco slanders, and these must be met and refuted.' We shall go into no lengthened argument to prove the importance to the country and its institutions, of the present "Presidential contest we barely state the duty oi every Whig and urge them to its performance: And that we may not seem backward in the fight, we offer until the close of the Presidential contest to furnish the Evansville Journal forffty cents per copy 12 copies for $5,0025 copies for $10,00, The first number will commence on 16th instant, with the nomination of HENRY CLAY by the Baltimore Convention, and tha term will end with the announcement of his election to the Presidency, embracing a period of six months. We shall rid our columns of all old and unprofitable advertisements,, in order to enable us to publish extra matter of interest, and we shall publish extra sheets, the preparation of which are already being made, and if deemed advisable, enlarge our Journal. This we are determined to do whether we receive one additional subscrU her or not. The amount of labor will necessarily be greater on us than during any campaign through which we have heretofore passed; and we have therefore procured tht valuable assistance of brother Whig3 in several of the adjoining Counties, and would be glad such assistance was rendered us from every County in the District. We ask the friends of the cause to come forward and aid us in laying before the voters of the First Congressional District the principles of our party. Every one, however limited in means,

can do something to forward the cause and swell its triumph; and seeing the extra exertions the locofocos are making, from the most prominent leader down to the private in the ranks, no good Whig should remain idle. Let our friends who receive this cut it out and use it as a prospectus. We hope they will use such diligence as will enable us to extend our circulation 1000 or 1500 copies by the 16th instant. ' :

SUBSCRIBERS NAMES . HARRINGTON. JOHN. B.

HARRINGTON, HANNAH & CO,, FORWARDING & COMMISSION MERCHANTS, EVANSVIUE INDIANA.

A. B. COLEMAN, Late of Evansvilie.

GENERAL FORWARDING & COMMISSION MERCHANTS, NO. 59, GIMVIER STREET, NEW-ORLEANS.

Reference, COLEMAN &. STETSF.N, 1 THOMAS H. MAGHEE

New York. Boston. St. Louis.

JOSEPH WHITNEY &. Co HALLET & BLAKE, STEWART & Co. W. W. TOMPSON Sc Co. Dec. 21, tf

THOMAS H. MACJHSJE, COMMISSION MERCHNT, For the Sale of Tobacco and Western Produce of ctcry descripticnt NEW YORK CITY.

ft?-We will make liberal Cash advances on Evansville, January II, 1844. BLANKS! BLANKS!! E HAVE on hand and will constantly keep a variety of neatly executed . BLiANKS At this office, such as blank Deeds, Bills of La den, Executions, Summons', &c. &c, which we will sell cheap for Cash. New Brick YardOIIN GREEK respectfully informs his C triends and the public generally that lie has commenced the above business at the yard formerly occupied by Wm. Walker in Lilleslon &. Pinkham's enlargement, where he intends mak ing and keeoin? on hand slock brick for Ironts, also slop and sand brick, hedge ana circle well brick. All of which) he will sell at prices to suit the times, and he hopes by his strict atten tion to business to merit a liberal Btisre oi puulic patronage. JOHN GREEK. N. B. he will also exchange any thing in his line for approved Produce. Ten or twelve good steady hands wanted at the above yard. Evansville April otu, 1044, Jm. RECTIFIED WHISKEY!!! tfcstfBBLS best Cincinnati WHISKEY just l received by the subscriber and for sale very low. I will always have the bestarticles on hands, and will sell at Cincinnati prices including freights. WILLIAM HUGHES. april 25, 3v. ADMINISTRATOR'S NOTICE. HE undersigned having taken out letter of Administration on the estate ol Wash ington Johnson late of Vanderburgh County Indiana, all persons indebted thereto will make immediate payment, and all persons having claims against the estate will present them. The estate will be settled as insolvent April 25, '44. 3t JOHN T. FISHER. L. D. SMITH'S CASH STORE - REMOVED TO the New Brick Building on the BURNT ' SQUARE, where he is now opening a large and desirable assortment of FOREIGN & DOMESTIC DRY GOODS, a complete stock of HARDWARE and CUTLERY, Wool. Fcr, Silk, and Russia Hats, Umbrellas and Parasols, Willow, Straw and Florance Braid Bonnets, Boots and Shoes of every description, Palm Hats, Queenswaf.e, Looking Glasses, Corn and Grass Scythes, Axks, Trace Chains, Bench Plains, &c, &c, &c, Together with a large variety of STAPLE & FANCY GOODS, purchased in Philadelphia and New York, during the month of March with great cure and attention, and he has only to say to those who may favor him with a call that he can show them goods at such prices (as cannot be best,) that they will find it to their interest to purchase without going further. L. D. SMITH. Evansville, April 25ih, 1 844 2mo. NOTICE. nR WM. TRAFTON would respectfully Q.J inform his friends and the public, that he tins associated with himself in the practice of Medicine and Surgery, Dr. C S. WEEVER They wilt continue business at the old Office on Locust Street, where one or the oilier may always be fouml ; unless absent on professional visits. Dr. Trafton would further inform his old friend 8 that his health is so much improved that he will now attend to calls, day or night, and will also ride any reasonable distance to serve them. Evansville, April 18,1844.

WHERE SENT.

HANNAH.

E. II. FAIRCHILD. B. FLOURNOY SIMMS. I II WM. II. STOCKWELL, ") TAtTM OFJ it XTT.rr Tl - 1 juiiii ou.in xvijiiii, I J. H. M AGIIEE &. Co. V Evansville. JOSEPH WHEELER, Jr. J. M. STUCK WELL, J LEWIS & STERLING, Philadelphia. E C. MARCH, Alton III. shipments to the above house JOHN. II. MAGHEE & CO. JUST RECEIVED AT HUGHES' CHEAP STORETHE SUBSCRIBER has just received a verysuperior and fashionable stock of SPRING 4 SUMMER DRY GOODS, consisting in part for the Ladies of Balzorines, Balzorine Lawns, painted Lawns, plain and cross barred Jaconets, mixed and white Cotton Hosiery, super black & colored Kid Gloves, black silk cloves and Mitts, Caps, Ruches, black Orientals for Scarfs, silk Fringes, black Net (or Mantillas, Ginghams,Alpaca Lustres, foundation Muslins, Apron Cbeckj Bleached and Brown Muslins, Calicoes, Mersailles Skirts, children Bootees, Misses white and mixed Hose, Boys half hose, with a large assortment of trimmings, and small goods toonumerous to mention. For Gentlemen, the stock of Summer Cloth, Cassimere, Sattinets, Jeans, Nankeens, Ginghams, mixed and white half Hose, Silk Handkerchief, Suspenders. Superior white Berlin Gloves, Sewing Silk, Twist, Coat, Vest, and Pant Buttons; Hair Brushes, Tooth Brushes, Combs, with a variety of other small article which are very desireable. Ladies and gentlemen are particularly invited to call and examine his STOCK, as the subscriber who has bought at the very lowest cash prices, is determined to sell as low as any other house in the West. 1 - WILLIAM HUGHES. April I8th, 1844, 3L-3mo. NEW AND SPLENDID JEWELRY. JL. BITTROLFF has just opened at his a Fancy Store on Second Street a large and splendid stock of new fashioned JEWELRY, selected by himscii with great care wuicn ne pledges himself to sell at as low prices, as the same articles can be purchased for IN ANY OF THE WESTERN CITIES. His assortment consists in part of : , A large variety of gold finger ring, bracelets, head lockets of various kind and sizes. New fashioned breast pins of the finest gold, gold and silve r hair pins, and scarf pins, ladies card hnres. a vprv nrettv article, head ornaments. silver thimbles of various kinds, fine gold fob chains, guard chains, seals and keys, steel fob chains and keys, gold plated chains and keys, silk guards oi every kind, gold and silver pencil cases, Bilver and common spectacles, a number of brass clocks, &c, Ac. The Ladies and Gentlemen of the plencc is respectfully inviteJ to call and examine tor themselves. J. L. BITTROLFF. April 25th, 1844. WANTED. BUSHELS of OATS, for which the highest price will be paid in CASH, by ALLIS & IIO.WES. Feb. 22 1844 tf Evansville and Lafayette PACKET, light and fast JS'iSHE l'p'1' draught and fast runningSteamer ' mAv'Trrri irk dav hi... MONTICELLO, GRAY, Master, will run as a regumr jrac&ei oeiween evansvilie anu Lafayette during the present season. The Monticello draws only thiriecn inchfs water, light. She has good accomodations. Fcr passage or freight apply nt Evansvilla to David McNall at the Wharf Boat or on board to the Master. April 25, '44 tf.

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