The American Statesman; A Political History Exhibiting the Origin, Nature and Practical Operation of Constitutional Government in the United States the Rise and Progress of Parties and the Views of Distinguished Statesmen on Questions of Foreign and Domes (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1855. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XXIII. THE MISSOURI COMPROMISE. ADMISSION OF MAINE AND MISSOURI INTO THE UNION. During the session of 1819-20, was passed the act to admit the new state of Missouri into the union. A bill for this purpose had been introduced at the preceding session. In its progress in the house, Gen. Tallmadge, of New York, moved an amendment prohibiting the farther introduction of slavery within the territory, and requiring that all children born therein after its admission, should be free at the age of twenty-five years. The amendment was adopted by a vote of 73 to 67, but was disagreed to in the senate; and the bill was lost. At the next session, (December 7, 1819, ) a memorial fjom the people of the district of Maine, until then a part of the state of Massachusetts, praying to be admitted into the union on an equal footing with the original states, with a copy of the constitution formed for the state, was presented to the house. At the game time was presented a memorial from the people of Missouri, asking to be authorized to form a constitution, and to be admitted as a state. A bill for the admission of Maine passed the house without material opposition. In the senate its progress was arrested by Mr. James Barbour, of Virginia, who moved an amendment (February 3d, ) coupling it with the bill for the admission of Missouri without any restriction as to slavery. This gave rise to a debate which continued till near the close of the session, and terminated in the famed " Missouri compromise." In the house on the 26th of January, Mr. Taylor, of New York, moved an amendment to the Missouri bill of that body, interdicting slavery in the state; providing, however, that fugitive slaves might be reclaimed within the same, and that the provision should not alter the condition of ...