Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1820-05-02
From the Ncw.Brunswiok Fredouian.


tieman an this city, dated Washington
April 18th, 1920.
My DEAR SIR,-I have received your
favor of the 10th inst. and thank you fol
the friendly expressions it contains.
In compliance with your request
will briefly state the reasons which Undue
ed me 10 vote as l, ultimately, did on the
Missouri Question.
You are well acquainted with my sen
timents respecting slavery. l consider
its existence as a great evil, but every re
flecting person must admit that gradnn
emancipation, (such as has been adopted by
our state) is the ouly remedy that can bt
safely applied in behalf of those who arr
held 10 involuntary servitude.
Soon after the commencement of the
present session bill was introduced fol
the admission Of Missouri into the Union,
Mr.. Taylor. "a member from New Y orb.
proposed an amendment, which prohibited
The further introduction OF slaves into the
new state. At the request of the mover
of this amendment, the discussion Of it
was postponed for some time. and com
mittee was appointed for the purpose Of
investigating whether compromise could
not be effected.
In the mean while the legislatures Of
several states passed resolutions; some in
favor aud others against the proposed re-
striction-popuIar meetings were likewise
held, and many Of our newspapers were
filled with incorporate remarks. In a
word general excitement appeared to
prevail throughout the Union.
During this agitated state OF the public
mind, the proposed restriction was dis
cussed 10 both houses Of Congress-much
warmth and irritation was evinced, and a
dissolution of the Union was spoken of as
a consequence which would inevitably re-
suit from question presenting con-
tlict Of interest, and affecting us geograph-
ically."
Believing that Congress had right to
impose the contemplated restriction on
Missouri, and DESTROYS of evinciug my
respect for The opinions expressed by the
Legislature as well as by many indiyidu-
ais Of the state which have the honor in
part to represent, voted for the restric-
tion, although / at the same time enter
tanned doubts Of its expediency.
II is well known that after long aud
animated discussion, the amendment pro
posed by Mr.. Taylor was carried 10 the
House Of Representatives By q majority
of seven votes. The senate, however, by
a majority Of about t'uelUe votes refused 10
concur. A committee was appointed by
both houses to make an effort 10 conpro-
mise this embarrassing question. After
mature deliberaiion the committee recon-
mended that Missouri should be admitted
into the Union without the proposed re-
striction. and that slavery should be pro-
hibited in the remaining part of that ex-
tensive country, west of the Mississippi,
north of thirty-six and half degrees
north latitude. Before this report was
made, had severe conflict in my mind
as TO the course | ought to take. If !
voted differently from what / had origi-
nally, / was aware that | should be
charged, by some, with Inconsistency,
and perhaps by others with dereliction
of principle. If l adhered 10 voting for
the amendment, saw no practical result
from 1.-THE question would 10 all proba-
biIity remain unsettled for long time.
and might ultimately lead TO dissolution
of the Union.
While my mind was in this asitated
state, / perused Washington's Farewell
Address l read il. with attention, par.
ticularly the following paragraph, in
contemplating the causes which may dis
turb our Union, ii occurs to me as a
matter OF serious concern, that any ground
should have been furnished for character
Using parties by geographical disCrimiaa-
tions.--One Of the erpedients Of party TO
acquire influence in particular districts, is
to misrepresent the opinions and aims Of
other districts. You cannot shield your
selves too much against the jealousies and
heart burnings which spring from these
misrepresentation they tend 10 render
alien to each other those who ought to
be bound together by fraternal affection. y
About this time, / saw an extract of a
letter from the venerable Jefferson TO a
member of Congress, in which he says,
g the Missouri question is the most por-
tentious one which ever yet threatened our
Union--in the gloomiest moment of the
revolutionary war. ] never had any ap-
prehension equal to that feel from this
source"
AS the sentiments of Washington and
jefferson, made deep impression on my
MUD, at an early period Of my life, they
could not be viewed with indifference by
me, at time when | was about TO vote
Oh the most important question that bas
been discussed in Congress since the adop
tion Of the Constitution.
Having already said more on this sub
Jet than intended, shall no longer