Herald Of The Times

Letter from Mr. Clay.

The last New Haven Herald brings us the correspondence of the Committee of the Whigs in that city with Mr. Clay. We subjoin his reply:

ASHLAND, 17th Dec. 1844.

Gentlemen—I duly received your friendly letter, transmitting the proceedings of a public meeting held in the city of New Haven, in respect to the late Presidential election. The patriotic spirit manifested in the whole of them is worthy of Connecticut, worthy of its renowned seat of learning, and worthy of the Whig cause. For the sentiments of attachment, confidence and friendship towards myself, which they exhibit, and which you so kindly reiterate in your letter, I offer the warm acknowledgements of a grateful heart. My obligations to Connecticut, and my friendly intercourse with many of her eminent sons, during a long period of time, will be faithfully remembered while I continue to live.

I share with you, gentlemen, in regrets on account of the unexpected issue of the recent election. My own personal concern in it, is entitled to very little consideration, although I affect no indifference in that respect. The great importance of the event arises out of the respective principles in contest between the two parties, the consequences to which it may lead, and the alleged means by which it was brought about, of which, however, I do not allow myself particularly to speak.

The policy of the country in regard to the protection of American Industry, a few months ago seemed to be rapidly acquiring a permanent and fixed character. The Southern and South Western portions of the Union had been reproached at the North for want of sufficient interest and sympathy in its welfare. Yielding to the joint influence of their own reflections and experience, the slave States were fast subscribing to the justice and expediency of a Tariff for Revenue, with discriminations for protection. At such an auspicious moment, instead of cordially meeting the Slave States and placing the principle of protection upon impregnable & durable ground, a sufficient number of the Free States to be decisive of the contest, abandoned what was believed to be their own cherished policy, and have aided, if not in its total subversion, in exposing it to imminent hazard and uncertainty. Discouragement has taken the place of confidence, in the business of the country, enterprise is checked, and no one knows to what employment he can now safely direct his exertions. Instead of a constantly augmenting Home Market, we are in danger of experiencing its decline at a time when the foreign market is absolutely glutted with American productions, cotton especially, which is now selling at a lower price than was ever before known. It is probably destined to fall still lower. The final and not distant result will be, especially if large importations shall be stimulated by low duties, a drain of the specie of the country, with all its train of terrible consequences, on which I have neither inclination nor time to dwell.

If the cause of the Whigs had triumphed, the distribution of the proceeds of the sales of the public lands would have been secured, and that great national inheritance would have been preserved for the benefit of the present and future generations. I shall be more agreeably disappointed if it be not wasted in a few years by graduation and other projects of alienation, leaving no traces of permanent benefit behind.

I could not touch upon other great measures of public policy, which it was the purpose of the Whigs to endeavor to establish, without giving to this letter an unsuitable length. They may be briefly stated to have aimed at the purity of the Government, the greater prosperity of the People, and additional security to their liberties and to the Union, and, with all, the preservation of the peace, the honor and the good faith of the Nation.

The Whigs were most anxious to avoid a Foreign War, for the sake of acquiring a Foreign territory, which, under the circumstances of the acquisition, could not fail to produce domestic discord, and expose the character of the country, in the eyes of an impartial World, to severe animadversions.

But our opponents have prevailed in the late contest, and the Whigs are, for the present, denied the satisfaction of carrying out their measures of National policy.

Believing that they are indispensable to the welfare of the country, I am unwilling to relinquish the fond hope that they may be finally established, whether I live to witness that event or not. In the meantime those to whose hands the administration of public affairs is confided ought to have a fair trial. Let us even indulge an anxious desire that the evils which we have apprehended may not be realized, that the peace of our country may be undisturbed, its honor remain unsullied, and its prosperity continue unimpeded.

To guard, however, against adverse results, the resolution of the Whigs of the City of New Haven, steadfastly to adhere to the Whig cause and principles, is wise and patriotic.

I should be happy to visit once more New England, and especially New Haven, which has done me so much honor by giving me, at the late election, the largest majority ever given by that city in a contested election. I shall embrace, with great pleasure, any opportunity, should any ever offer, to accept your obliging invitation.

I tender to you, gentlemen, my cordial thanks for your friendly wishes and kind regards for me and mine, and I hope that one and all of you may long live in health, happiness and prosperity.

I am faithfully,

Your friend and ob't serv't.

H. CLAY.

Messrs P. S. Galpin, Jas. F. Babcock, Thomas R. Trowbridge.