Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1848-09-29
LETTER FROM MONROE TO JEFFER
SON

Jefferson Davis (says the New York Re-
cruit,) is entitled to the credit of having res
cued from obscurity rhe following Interesting
and remarkable letter. He came upon it in
the course of researches made with the view
to obtain information bearing on the question
of slavery in the new territories. Like the
Grafton of Silas Wright, from which we pub.
lished extracts yesterday, it breathes crush
ing rebuke to the labors of the Van Buren, dis
unionists of 1913. Indeed, these two papers
are like voices from the grave, uttered by the
spirits of the two great republican fathers
Monroe's narrative exhibits the diSunlonism
of 1920, working after the fashion Of its de-
scendant of this era, and with like end in
view. 1t was written in reply 10 letter from
Jefferson upon the Florida Treaty, of 1919
Letter from Mr. Monroe to N, Jefferson
WASHINGTON, May, 1920.
Dear Sir have received your letter of the
18th, containing very Interesting view of the
ldtr ticnty Will, Gro;~ ona of Tho rrocoodin ao
respecting il here. If the occurrence invol-
we'd in it nothing more than question between
TIC CHllC(l EldtSS dul kpdIIl, OI UclWHEl lueU
and the colonies, should entirely concur in
your views of the subject. So 1t is
altogether internal, and of,the most distressing
nature and dangerous tendency You Were
apprised by me, on your return from Europe,
of the true character of the negotiation, which
took place in 1856, with the minister of
Spain, for shutting up the mouth of the Mis-
sssippi, knowledge of which might have
been derived in part from the journal of Con-
gress, which then came into your hands. This
was not question with Spain in reality, but
one among ourselves, in which her preten-
sons were brought forward in aid of the par
ty at the head of that project. 1t was an eff
fort to give such a shape 10 our Union as
would secure the dominion over it to its cas-
tern section. II was expected that dismember-
ment by the Allegheny mountains would fol-
low the exclusion of the river, it was not
desired, though the latter was then, and still
is, my opinion.
The Union then consisted of eight naviga-
ting and commercial States, with five produc-
tive, holding slaves, and, had the river been
shut up, and ACKNOWLEDGMENT ensued the divi-
sion would have always been the same.
At that time, Boston ruled the four New
England States, and popular orator in Fa-
nuell Hall ruled Boston. jays object was to
make New York New England State, which
he avowed on his return from Europe, to the
dissatisfaction of many in that State, whose
preiudces had been excited in the revolution
airy war by the contest between New York
and those States respecting interfering grants
IN Vermont. 1t was foreseen by those persons
that, if the Mississippi should be opened, and
new States be established on its waters, the
population would be drawn thither, the num-
Der OF productive States would be proportion
ably increased, and their hopes of dominion
on that contracted sectional scale be DESTROYED.
1t was 10 prevent this that that project was
formed Happily it failed and since then
our career, in an opposite direction. has been
rapid and wonderful. c
The rivnr hos boon opened, and oil the tor
ritory dependent lit acquired eight States
have already been admitted into the Union in
that quarter ninth is on the point of enter
ing, and a tenth provided for, exclusive of
Florida. This march to greatness has been
seen with profound regret by those in the pol
icy suggested; but it has been impeled by
causes over which they have no control Sew
eral attempts have been made to impede it ;
among which the Hartford Convention, in the
late war, and the proposition for restricting
Missouri, are the most distinguished. The
latter measure contemplated an arrangement
on the distinction solely between slaveholding
and non-slaveholding States, presuming that,
on that basis only, such division might be
founded as would destroy, by perpetual ex-
element, the usual effects proceeding from diff
ference in climate, the produce of the soil. the
pursuits and circumstances of the people and
marshal the States, differing in that circum-
stance, In unceasing opposition and hostility
to each other.
10 what account this project, had it sue
ceeded to the extent contemplated, might have
been turned, cannot say. Certain, however,
It IS, that since 1886 | have not seen so vio-
lent and persevering a struggle, and, On the
| part of some of the leaders in the project. for
a purpose so unmasked and dangerous. They
did not hesitate to avov that it was contest
for power only, disclalming the pretext Of lib
erty, humanity, &c, 1t was always manifest
that they were willing to risk the Union on
the measure, if, indeed, as in that relating 10
the Mississippi. dismemberment was not the
principal object. By putting a
stay to the proceeding, time has been given
for the passions to subside, and for calm dis.
cussion and reflection, which have never fail.
ed to produce their proper effect upon our
country.
From this view, it is evident that the further