Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1855-08-10
Calhouns Missing Opinion.

The Missouri Compromise Thomas
H. Benton has addressed note TO the New
York Erening Post, inclosing an extract ola
letter from Hon. J. NJ. Clayton, showing that
the opinion Of Mr.. Munroes cabinet was
taken upon the Missouri compromise, a fact
which is stated in the diary of John Quincy
Adams, and in Bention's Thirty Years View,
but which has been disputed. These opin-
ions, including that of Mr.. Calhoun, who
was then member of the Cabinet, were fled
in the State Department, but, strange to say,
have since disappeared. Mr.. Clayton in his
letter says.
"The archives Of the Department disclose
the fact that Mr.. Calhoun and other members
of the Cabinet did answer Mr. Munroc's
questions. Itappears by an index that these
answer, were filed among the archives of
that Department. | was told that they had
been distracted from the records and could
not be found, but did not make search for
them myself have never doubted that MIR.
Calhoun at least acquiescd in the decision of
that day. Since | left the Department of
State have heard it rnmored that Mr.. Call
houn's answer to Mr.. Monroe's queries had
been found, but know not on what author
ity the statement was made"
The letter of Mr.. Benton shows the great
Importance of this matter. 1t IS as follows :
WAsHiNeroS, July 80, 1865.
.Ncssrs. I'm. c. BryaniS Co:
Gentlemen - short time ago you pub
lished in the EsrStNs Posr. with the con
sent of Mcssrs. Appleton, a chapter from the
forthcoming second volume of my Thirty
Years View in which was contained a pas 4.
sage from speech of Mr.. Calhoun in IS3S.
showing that he had been in favor of the
Missouri Compromise at the tine it was a.
dopted- blamed Mr.. Randolph for his un-
promising opposition to it-and had since
changed his opinion, because il encour-
aged the abolitionisls. The veracny oftbat
chapter having been rudey assaod. Though
dad nothing but produce passage from
the debate o. Congress, as you well re-
mork.l | have had communication made
TO me to confirm it--namely. that the answers
of Mr.. Calhoun and the other cabinet Off
GERS Of Mr.. Monroe, were found in the State
Department while Mr.. John NJ. Clayton was
Secretary Of State. In consequence, | ad-
dressed note of inquiry to Mr. Clayton. who
answered according to the extract from his
letter which send you. From this il Will
be seen that, though the question and an
swer cannot be found, the archives Of the
Department show that they were filed. This
proves that such questions and answers ex-
isled aud that is enough for all purposes Of
the controversy which has been raised The
absurd and anarchlal doctrine, That Con-
gresi had no potcer 10 iegisiaio upon the eris-
fence Of slare,y IN territory" rests entirely
upon Mr.. Calhoun's recently promulgated o.
plnion TO that effects aud the validity of that
opinion was staked by him on the uniform Y
and consistency Of his opposition to the pow
er; aud especially IN that great case Of its
exercise, (the Missouri Compromise Line of
$500, which abolished slavery where il le.
gaily existed over greater extent of count
ry than ever saw it abolished by law before
or since aud which gave to the free States
the absolute prcponderance ~ the Union.
Ills mistake IN supposing himself to have
been opposed to that compromise was always
clear TO me, and | think must now be clear
10 every BODY,
| wish you to publish this note, and the
extract from sir Clayton's letter, that all
candid inqulrers after truth may Judge for
themselves; aud that prepostcrous and
dangerous doctrine may be deprived Of the
only foundation on which 1t rested.
Very respectfully yours,
TnoMAs II. BENTON.