The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-12-03
MORE G..
M. Monroe 10 Judge Roans, OF Virginia

unmerted, and would DC unScnctouS
NorE G.
Mr. Monroe 10 Judge Rouns, Of Virginia.
ICopied from the draught found in the Monroe MSSl
WASHINGTON, February l6, 1920
DEAR SuR have written YOU before two letters in which
intended give correct view could Of the state
of things here regard to the Missouri question:. stated
that the majority of States, of physical force and
uay of in both houses would be the side Of the
non-savehodng States and that they in their
scheme and the authors of should be supported by their
constituents which seemed probable, they would
coed in their purpose, the Union be dissolved con-
slider this aroc0us attempt in certain persons TO grasp
power and, being very arfuy laid as likely to
succeed than any former effort know that the people
devoted the Union, they every other
quarter but still the eastern people connect this question
with sentiment of liberty, without duly approaching its
effect the southern States and also taught to believe
under the sectional impression made them, that if some
thing like division agreed on all power will be for
transferred from them. Under these circumstances this
project has better prospect of success than any have be-
fore known
As the part which may all circumstances in which
may be placed, have not made up my mind shall
until the period arrives when it will be my duty to and
then shall weigh well the inunctions of the
which, according my understanding of thcm will be
elusive with me. The next consideration with me- will be
the preservation of the Union My decided opinion is, that
all the States composing Union, well the old
have equal rights, cedDg the general government
equal share of power, and retaining themselves the
like that they cannot be Incorporated into the Union
different principles or conditions Whether the
exists in the power of the general government
territories in their incipen and state question
which my mind is not clearly decided By the consu-
ton Congress has power to make all needf rules and reg
aons respecting the territory and other property belonging
to the United States, with provision that nothing the
constitution should be construed prejudice any claims
OF the United States oany particular State This provision
the only check the OF Congress- and referring only
the old controversy between the United and ndvd
ua States respecting vacant lands within their chartered
limits whose relative claims intended preserve has
operation, presume, the present The power
itself apples to territory coded by individuals States to
the United States and other In such portions
territory coded altogether uninhabed the people
who move there under any ordinance of Congress have
rights IN such territory except such they may acquire
under the ordinance the question therefore
regard them, except the general principle applicable
all other Observation-Disclosures the ordinance be constitutional
and which, submitted the there be decided
of Congress- it be found in other parts of the
Sntuon Slavery is recognised by it five three bu,
not the right thus recognised that only of the States in
which the are, the rule of representa-
the House of Representatives. and for direct taxes
is not right to the slaves themselves, nor, presume
their owners out Of the States in which they reside. BY
another clause is provided that il slaves away, they
may be pursued demanded and brought back to the State
from which they fed This right of the slavehodng
States, and Of the living in them. Should the
move TO Notwithstanding State, he could avail himself
of there AS slavery is recognised by the constitution
very the from carrying his slave
INTO Territory, and refining his right to him there; but
whether the do this has not been granted the
point which have doubts and which shall be glad
TO receive your opinion If can be satisfied that the
stuton forbids the restraint all further inquiry with
will be end.
Should bill pass admitting Missouri subject to restraint
shall have difficulty in the to be pursued,
shall IN any future case respecting the admission of any
other new State, 10 s right State. Arkansas being
organized Territory without restraint, and people
having moved there snce is understood stands the
most favorable ground constitutional principles, the
view stated above.
Considerations Of injustice and impocy also merit much
attention, and will have their weight with do not think
suPposng the constitutional right impose the restraint to
exist for argument sake that Congress ought confno
The slaves within such limits, of territories,
might tend eventually to make them burden the old
States How far it may be proper go this principle,
shall duly weigh If the right impose restraint exists and
Congress should law for it, to reject to the whole
OF the unsettled territory might, with existing impressions
In other quarters affect system This should look to
with Just sensbly the pars likely to be injured by
such restraint.
The of Other weghy prevents my going
so fully into this should otherwise do have, however
N this and my preceding letters, given you oleraby
full view of the state of things here. have also stated
this the point which entertain constitutional doubts
we have harmonized much in political affairs through
e and entertain great respect for your opinion
sltulona questions for which shall be glad
ee'e on the present one well the subject gene
rally.
Very sincerely your friend,
JAMES MONROE.