The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-09-18
From the National IneIigescer.
HENRY CLAY ON THE MISSOURI RESTRICTION


The history and merits Of the Missouri Compromise"
having after undisturbed and happy existence of iry
three years become subject of renewed discuson-pos
seng indeed with the present generation the interest of
new question-we could not sure offer to the
oy of readers any document which would be perased
with proounder respect and attention than the suboned
original letter from the usrous author be may be
Justly styled Of that important compromise This valued
reque of the departed statesman containing so crcum-
stanta account Of his patriotic abor though written
twentyone years ago, meets the public eye for the
FIRST time The esteemed subscriber in Virginia whom
indebted for the pleasure placing the in our
columns explains in the annexed note the motive which
induced him to give it to the public:
ALBEMARLE, (ya,) September 2, 1856
DEAR sIRs: In conversation few days since with
representative in Congress from this State ausion being
made 10 letter Of Mr.. Clay 10 my late brother, VIM.
Woods giving the part which he had taken in bringing
about the Missouri Cof~omse considerable anxiety
with enclose you, his and devoted friends
the original that you may do with II as you think proper
Messrs. GALES SEATos, Washington.
ASHLAND, July &c, 1885.
DrAR SIN have duly received your favor Of the 9Th
instant and feel greatly obliged by the friendly sentiments
the constancy with which you have adhered towards
copy Of any speech that made the Missouri ques
ton The debate long srduous and, during the last
three weeks on the main collateral questions The
prepared speech which made Of three four hours
duration published OF my share in the debate
there IS therefore only meagre account 10 be CLEANED
The question first arose in the session or lsls-2o
When the bill for admitting Missouri into the Union
on its passage Mr. Taylor OF New York proposed
sert in IL condition which the State TO become
member Of the oonfederacy that should tolerate
slavery involuntary seryitnde The argument by which
that proposition maintained by himself and others
hat Is 10 and 10
acknowledged rights Of man. that Il ought not TO exist
that il is admitted evil that II the general government
eItirpate in the old States 1t prevent its
tension the new that being contracted within lin
tied sphere IL viii be less pernieious and nroa
BILE that Congress having the power to admit States
may prescribe the conditions OF their admission and that
IN All reoednq instances Of the admission Of new Sta,es
some conditions were annexed.
To all this replied that the general government had
nothing do with the subject OF slavery which belonged
exclusively the several States that they aoue were 70
Judge Of he evil and the remedy that every State had
such entire control the matter that those which toll
slavery might abolish II and those which had
IL had abolished IL might Admi, il without any
reference from the general government that although
Congress had the powerto admit States when admit
ted by the express terms Of the constitution they
the footing in every respect whatever with The senior
States and consequently had right TO judge for them
selves The question Of slavery that Congress could
exercise the power Of annering condition respecting
slavery they might any other condition and thus
Il might pass that instead Of oonfedersey OF
States Of equal power should exhibit mongrel sssoe-
not conditions upon their sovereignty but voluntary CON-
pacts relating chiefly 10 the public lands and mutual
beneficial that the extension Of slavery vorahle
TO the comfort Of the slave and 70 the security Of the white
race &c
The proposition by Mr. Taylor (which think had been
made at the previous SESSION. defeated by small
majority and the bin passed without the obnoxious oond
zion.
Missouri assembled her convention, formed oonsttu.
ton and transmitted IL 10 Congress IN that constitution
unfortunately inserted clause against free blacks and
att he Of vi
her into the Union the party who had supported the
condition taking advantage Of that eroeponabe clause
now opposed Der admission.
aid not reach Washington until in January and when
got there found the members from the slave States and
frou others in despair All efforts had been tried
and failed reconcile the parties Mr.. Lowndcs bad
exhausted all bis great in vain. Both parties
appealed 10 me and, sitter surveying their condition,
went TO work. saw that each committed and 20
welded TO it's opinion that nothing could be effected with
out compromise and The point with was 70 propose
some compounds which should involve no sacrifice Of
principle got committee Of thirteen appointed BY
the House and furnished the Speaker Mr. Taylor
st Of such members wished embracing enough OF the
restriconsis 10 carry any measure, they would agree
sent reported to the House csns BY way Of condition
be annexed 10 the admitting her substantially like
that which was finally adopted II was defeated in the
House BY Mr. Randolph and Nessr Edwards and Burton
Of North Carolina, voting against u
NY next 10 get joint committee Of TWEEN
your appointed BY The two hpuse That the part Of
de House vas chosen b. ballot and list which made
were appointed with few exceptions They reported
the resolution, 70 be found the s,ssuebs which
was finally passed "a March s2l and settled u. ones
ton
Never did party put 20 much At hazard as The restr-
tonist did small question that which arose
Missouri Never have seen he Union in such danger
Mr.. King Of New York, understood TO concur in all
the measures Of the restrieonsts He wss q member Of