Henry Clay on Texas Annexation: He Supported It, Didn't Fear War with Mexico

Contrary to the premise, Henry Clay did not believe annexation would lead to war with Mexico. In fact, he was an advocate for annexation and argued it could be achieved peacefully.

Clay's position was nuanced: he favored annexation but sought to avoid sectional conflict over slavery's expansion. His stance reflected Whig attempts to balance expansionism with national unity. The Mexican-American War (1846–1848) erupted under President Polk, not due to Clay's predictions.