The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-12-08

4
for publication in the New York Evening Post, an
exact copy Of such portions Of the ex-Pfesident's
private Diary relate to the discussion Of the Mis-
souri, compromise bill, in the cabinet Of President
Monroe. Thequesiion Of fact and Of interest, upon
which it is made to bear, is, whether MI Monroe
did submit to the members Of his cabinet PROPOSE
tons in relation to the power Of Congress to pro-
hibit slavery in the territories, and whether all the
membersof the cabinet had answered, in writing,
affirming the power An assertion to this effect
was, we believe, first made in the United States
Senate by Mr. Dix, of New York, or the authority
Of this Diary of Mr. Adams bat the written opins
ions Of the members Of the cabinet were not found
on fle where Mr.. Adams 'Aiated they were placed
Evidence has lately been discovered, among the
registers or indexes of letters in the State de-
partment, that such letters were once flied there
The index of letters, from 1877 to 1929" describes
as follows March s, 1920, Adams, Crawford
" Calhoun Writ and Thompson, March 4, 1920.
eTheir opinions in writing upon the constitution
"ality ofthe law, for the admission of Missouriinto
" the Union" ..--.
Mr.. Benton, in his late speeches in Missouri
made strong point Of these statements againstthe
consistency of Mr.. Calhoun, who was Secretary Of
War to Mr. Monroe in 1920. We are not of those
who attach essential importance to unvarying adj
hesion to- pfecohceiged opinions, and.should not
think it extraordinary or censurhle if Mr.. Calhoun
had, in his earlier years. held constitutional opn
ions which his later convictions have led him to
alter, and which he now thinks dangerous to the
peace and interests OF the Souihern-Sates But
Mr. Calhoun did not rest upon this right to modify
his opinion but in his address replyingio Mr.. Ben
toms censures, questions, net by direct DENIAL but
by argument and nferences the correctness of tie
diary of Mr.. Adams, and the authenticity of the
facts which he records. The passage Of Mr.. Cal
houns address, bearing upon the Diary, is in these
words
The diary of Mr. Adams furnishes the only opposing eyi
!ence. Now hold it TO be asound rule that diary is
isce Of fact against any one but he wo Keeps IT, The
mercy Of whoever keeps adary not my object 10 call
in question the yeracy Of Mr. Adams but he man Of
things as be desired From ls temper he would be liable to
noti,e aq MARI EIa ie Ml,n Ai own views a9a 70 pa
diary should be published during the lie time Of thO who
uadictcd by many, and confirm all have stated.
that NJ o8o n i ADMITTED y Coogs Rea, aus aus 10 b
found on the files Of the Department OF STATE any cyl
statement pufP@tns- b Be from lie diary Of MIR. Adams
says lIat Mr. Monroe directed them lobe filed. --,
One Of two things would be clear-eiher he fell
into elr9r in fhakg the that he failed 10 place
them file in consequence OsOme subsequent dreoti0nOm
on fe but dat hey would sill be there o. some evidence in,
My own recollection s. hat Mr. Monroe requested thu
opinion OF the member Of his cabinet in writing but that in
consequence OF want Of time to prepare written opinion
Senate When General Dix brought up e question az, the
opinion ofB cabinet of Mr. Monroe before the fact dis
closed that there no written opinion the files Of the de-
psrtment have eltfe confidence that any given
amquale,o no more than the simple affirmation or egaon
elaborate opinion 4 any such mad been gysn y Impossible
l should STgs5 y and neAi to lpR t9t should 20
The son Of Mr.. Adams has thought it necessary
in support Of his former partial extract, given to
Mr.. Dix TO publish the whole of that portion Of ths
diary relating the cabinet debates this subject
as set down at the time of the transactions.
The memorandum Of Mr.. Adams is precise ant
minute There is no possibility of supposing, any
error of memory, on any essential particular Of fact
for he records not only the decision of the members
of the cabinet but tre-reasonings which they sew
| orally gave for their opinions The southern men,
bers to-wit: President Monroe, and Messrs. Cal
houn, Writ, Crawford, were excited by reason ofthe
possible extension of the doctrine against slavery
the States as well as territories. There was unan-
unity on the point, that the power exists as to the
territories. Under date of March Sd, Mr.. AdBms
| records:
''1s9O Marched. When came this day to my Office,
i found there note requesting to call az clock at the
over lie expected that the two bills for lie admission OF
Maine and to Missouri to make eonStimtion woud
mOned all the members Of his administration, ask then Opn-
upou two questions IL. Whether Congress had a consu.
gna right e. s prohibit saYery n eE Iei,g and ai
slavery t0rGper n the territory north OF 49, latitude was 90.
il should become As the first questonit was unan-
mousy agreed thai Congress have the power 70 prohibit slave
"a IN the territories, and yet neither Crawior Calhoun nor
sSffGfm n anj Vir Sy ~ !S sS a le
the admission Of any implied powers. -
Mr.. Adams gives next detailed account OF the
debate in the cabinet the extension OF the power
to future states. tits long for our columns, at
least to-day. Mr.. Smith Thompson appears to have
sided with tie South, against Mr.. Adams The
second question was modified, at the request Of Mr.
Calhoun, as to avoid the necessity of drawing up
the argument which Mr.. Adams said he would have
to prepare, il the question stood in that form. Mr.
| Adams writes
He [ir. Calhoun therefore EHggese totha President The
ea Of changing the terms of the second question, thati
with the constitution g. which the oterembers Of the ad
Baca ,Gey & d i6s @ fae
while gould aIsweF It. also airmatiyey Without annex ag
as readily agreed The questions are to be framed accord
Mr. Adams walked home with Mr.. Calhoun, dis.
cussng the question Of slavery Tie conversation is
extremely interesting-put down as twas, fresh
y, at the time it occurred The further acts Of the
cabinet are thHs recorded:
March 5th-Phs President sent me- yesterday te two
questions in writing upon which he desired 70 have aswgrsi
writing be deposited in the Department OF State lie wrO
that would beiH time, if lac should have she
morrow. The first question general terms, Il stated
qury whether the St section Of the Missouri bill is conslen
with the constitution. To this can, without hesitation,
swer by simple Affirmative, and after come feectOn
| concluded TO answer both.
March 6th-I took to the Presidents my answers to hi
constitutional questions, and no desired 10 have theI
deposited iii the department. together with those Of the oe
members of the administration. They differed only they
signed their reason for thinking the 6h section OF the Nilsson
bill consistent with locOrstuu0n because they considered
applying only to The territorial term and barely gave
opinion, without assigning Tor explanatory III
President signed the Missouri bill this morning. p
= 1t thus appears, from Mr.. Adams diary, that tn
cabinet was unanimous on the question in regar
n to the territories and that all but Mr.. Adams dc
: MED its application to states after they are admite,
- 1t may be added, that the personal relations anon
the members Of the cabinet were, that time, alto
/ gether friendly. 1t was during Mr.. Monroes iir'
. term, when he was known to DO u candidate for r'
election, with no prospect of opposition, and befol
the riyaries for the succession had nlienated the SCI
/ retaries. personally. Mr.. Adams and Mr.. CaIhou
were especially friendly, and did not separate uni
e several years afterwards.
!. Law DEcIsIoN.-The Supreme Court of We
mont has decided that firm doing business in al
other State, and which, in the State Of Vernon
. made contract with an inn kecperto furnish hin
! by common carrier, sputs which they knew he il
Ii L a Il L. a Al