The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-12-03

eminent and as now united When | use the word
minority, refer 10 mfnoies opposed to any measure OF
vital and general interest," and refer Also to dDrHltre
legislation The safety of this government is in with
holding the exercise OF disputed and doubtful powers,
and all affirmative that any large portion OF the
confederacy hostile to- matter what the subject is
hold TO the doctrine OF 1776, that Gin free govern
men no law, not clearly Indispensable, and not clearly
just if unpopular with any considerable portion OF The
AS 10 the course of Mr.. Monroe and his cabinet on
the Missouri compromise bill OF 1920. learning that the
President had required the separate written opinions OF
the members OF his administration, examined his manu-
scripts found memorandum in these words:
"I"erogatoyies Missouri March 4, s2o-Io the heads Of
departments AID attorney General:
"Has Congress right under the powers vested in it by
the constitution, to make regulation prohibiting slavery In
us the eighth section of the act which both houses
on the 81 instant for the admission of Missouri into The
Union, consistent with the constitution 7"
An original draugh of letter from him, not directed,
but doubtless intended for General Jackson its contents
show, also found in his handwriting, Of which
shall append copy to these remarks when published
This paper has been accideny mslad, IN preparing
these remarks for publication 1t will be published here
On finding IL procured search to be made among Gen.
era Jacksons papers Tor the letter received by him from
Mr. Monroe, and the Hon. Amos Kendall, who has the
papers Of General lackson has furnished me copy 1t
is dated May %, 1920 have seen other papers refer
ring to these nterogatores and the answers given to
them, but nothing in my judgment, that conflicts mate
rally with the conclusions make from the documents
now produced President Monroe. from the draugM re,
erred to, manesty at first intended to advise General
Jackson fully of all that occurred He proceeds, in the
draught of the letter. to inform him of the inerogatories
he had propounded. He then proceeds to give him
general statement of the effect Of the He first
says "Me Of every member was Sin favor OF it,.
This he crases He then inserts the word unan,aous"
instead of ''eyery member" but that word also
He then inserts the word erp!ich but Immediately dis
cards that also and the draught reads 81 took the opn
ion in writing OF the administration, as to the constitution
ay OF restraining territories, which was IN favor OF H.
&c, &C.
And after ALL when this draught, thus altered and re-
altered corrected and recoeced is copied TO transmit 10
Gen j. the entire reference and statement IS eIpWnged!
He sent that statement to General Jackson. This
is proved by the original letter he did send and in which,
though the statement omitted the residue of the letter.
the concluding paragraphs, found nearly Uerbafim
1t quite clear TO my mind, that the sevea! members OF
the cabinet did not all take the same ueo OF the subjects
involved in the interrogaorles and that the President
suppressed this statement even thus corrected because
he not satisfied of IFS correctness, and fearful that
might do of them injustice with reference to those
opinions The last correction OF the statement however,
in my Judgment forbds the conclusion that the cabinet
unanimously and unequiUocally yielded the question OF
power in all cases as TO all Territories.
have caused search to be made in the State Depart
and elsewhere for these opinions, but can find no
trace of them in official archives any data to their
contents that is conclusive There is little doubt OF their
That Mr. Adams and Mr.. Thompson both answered
the heterogeneous. sustaining the power. satisfied
That Mr. Crawford favored the compromise from the
considerations have stated is shown by the letter have
referred to OF Mr. Hay giving Mr.. Barbour as au-
thority. (See letter, note E, No. 49,
That Mr.. Writ took similar view OF the subject,
think is quite likely though have not seen authentic
data as to the tenor OF his opmon.
The remaining member of his cabinet, and the only
one now living is the distinguished senator from South
Carolina Mr.. CALHOUN AS bound in courtesy and
justice, have shown that senator the memoranda and
draugh of the letter have referred to- and he has IN
formed me that he has not the slightest recollection OF
being called er such opinion reference to the bill OF
1920 and that his that OF mere acquescence
in its passage adjustment OF serious difficulties. and
to avert appehended consequences still serious, if
the question not settled and he gave any opinion,
its effect and extent were he is satisfied, limited TO such
view of the case presented. 49,
Mr.. CALHOUN i have no recollection OF any written
opinions being asked for given; but have distinct
remembrance OF the apprehensons existing IN all quar-
ers of the consequences that might ensue from the di
Guilty not being adjusted, and which constrained the
South after resisting the restrictions attempted to be i'm
posed for sessions to acquIesce finally IN the bill
proposed as compromise.
Mr. WEsrcorr have no idea but that when these opin.
ions brought to light will be that the southern mem
bers OF the cabinet all took similar view MT Monrpes
a1gh Of his and de Articles h N De
Enquirer, (sec note E, Nc, ~ show what were his
opnions and the extract in the Enquirer OF February
TO- 1920 see note +, No. 20,) show what considerations
constrained him TO yield.
He gave up his convictions on the abstract question of
congressional power reluctantly He sought the counsel
of Jefferson, Madison Roane, and others OF his trends,
and whose judgment and patriotism he relied 1t was
save the constitution, and TO save the country IRON the
impending peril that he yielded, and because ne believed
that bill would bury the dispute forever beyond the power
of sectional factionss to resuscate It, That the danger
to the country in 1920 was imminent tradition and
corded history both testify. The Union convulsed
to its centre AS Jefferson sad that controversy
alarming the sound of a fire bell in the night" Those
inimica to the South and Southwest-those who hated
them for cause without cause-and Tor the rea-
son that their nature to hate something, were
determined the most desperate measures to effect their
designs If the records of the secret midnight cOncaves OF
the chief praors disturb the harmony of the Union,
by nssang the East and North to outrage and of
enrage the South and Southwest held al the house OF one
of them in this city, made public, the selfish
farous and unhoy designs of the chief nsgaors will
shock every true friend OF the Union Mr. Monroe do
not doubt fully apprzed OF their plots and machna-
TONS others OF the distinguished patriots OF that
day and doubtless, such information had It's influence on
his BY that their designs were thwarted
and checked for time. hope, Tor the honor OF the
American name the records have referred to may
be dvulged No such evil example should darken the
pages of our history. They should be suppressed.
Dismissng the Missouri act OF lS with these remarks,
will take cursory notice OF the other leg isatlon OF
Congress referred to by the senator from New York,
Mr. DIX
ern Territory those Territories organized out OF II,
referred to by the honorable SENATOR being founded upon
the ordinance of ST. entitled to the same weight and
consideration that il is, and Nearly all the
guments urged against the ordinance apply them Be-
sides have advered specially to the effect of such cgs
aon, when considering the ordinance, and is not
cessary to repeat the arguments then urged
The other acts OF Congress referred To by the honorable
senator not in the category In my Judgment all
the legislation of Congress (erceptng that relating to the
Northwestern Territory, founded on the ordinance OF ST.
and creeping the Missouri compromise act of 1920 and
the restriction in heesoluon of March lSi5, anneXing
Texas erctuding slavery north of go 30' in State
by Congress OF the power assumed in the excepted
With the Texas resolutions of lS45 frank