Thomas Jefferson Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/03-15-02-0378

James Monroe to Thomas Jefferson, 19 February 1820

From James Monroe

Washington Feby 19. 1820

Dear Sir

I forward to you by this days mail a copy of the Journal of the Convention which formd the constitution of the U States. By the act of Congress providing for the distribution of them, one is allowd to you, & likewise to mr Madison & to mr Adams.

The Intelligencer will communicate to you some account of the proceedings of Congress on the missouri question, & particularly of the late votes taken on different propositions in the Senate. It seems, that a resolution was adopted on the 17th, which establishes a line, to commence, from the western boundary of Missouri, in Lat: 36. 30. & run westward indefinitely, north of which slavery should be prohibited; but permitted south of it. Missouri & Arkansas, as is presumd, to be admittd, without restraint. By the terms applied to the restriction “forever” it is inferr’d that it is intended, that the restraint should apply to territories, after they become States, as well as before. This will increase the difficulty incident to an arrangment of this subject, otherwise sufficiently great, in any form, in which it can be presented. many think that the right exists in one instance & not in the other. I have never known a question so menacing to the tranquility and even the continuance of our union as the present one. All other subjects have given way to it, & appear to be almost forgotten. As however there is a vast portion of intelligence & virtue in the body of the people, & the bond of union has heretofore prov’d sufficiently strong to triumph over all attempts against it, I have great confidence that this effort will not be less unavailing.

with great respect I am your friend

James Monroe

RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 27 Feb. 1820 and so recorded in SJL.

A 27 Mar. 1818 resolution by the United States Congress mandated the publication and distribution to members of Congress of the Journal, Acts and Proceedings, of the Convention, assembled at Philadelphia … 1787, which formed the Constitution of the United States (Boston, 1819; Poor, Jefferson’s Library description begins Nathaniel P. Poor, Catalogue. President Jefferson’s Library, 1829 description ends , 11 [no. 647]). A subsequent resolution (act of congress) of 19 Jan. 1820 expanded distribution to include the president and vice president and, presumably, former presidents (U.S. Statutes at Large description begins Richard Peters, ed., The Public Statutes at Large of the United States … 1789 to March 3, 1845, 1845–67, 8 vols. description ends , 3:475, 609). Monroe wrote to James madison this day and to John adams the following day conveying the same publication (Madison, Papers, Retirement Ser., 2:14–5; MHi: Adams Papers).

A Senate amendment to the Maine and Missouri statehood bill adopted on the 17th Feb. 1820 proposed that, with the exception of the new state of Missouri, slavery be prohibited in the land acquired in the Louisiana Purchase north of the 36° 30′ line of latitude (JS description begins Journal of the Senate of the United States description ends , 9:164–6; Washington Daily National Intelligencer, 18 Feb. 1820).

Index Entries

  • Adams, John; works sent to search
  • Congress, U.S.; and publication of journals of Constitutional Convention search
  • Constitution, U.S.; Journal, Acts and Proceedings, of the Convention, assembled at Philadelphia … 1787, which formed the Constitution of the United States search
  • Journal, Acts and Proceedings, of the Convention, assembled at Philadelphia … 1787, which formed the Constitution of the United States search
  • Madison, James (1751–1836); works sent to search
  • Missouri question; congressional consideration of search
  • Missouri question; J. Monroe on search
  • Monroe, James; and Missouri question search
  • Monroe, James; letters from search
  • Monroe, James; sends works to TJ search
  • National Intelligencer (Washington newspaper); prints congressional proceedings search
  • Senate, U.S.; and Missouri question search