Adams Papers
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John Quincy Adams to John Adams, 31 January 1804

John Quincy Adams to John Adams

31. January 1804.

This prohibition of the admission of slaves into Louisiana, is like the drawing of a jaw tooth. We have expedient after expedient introduced to answer this purpose— Breckenridge has at last concentrated all his wisdom on the subject in the Amendment, which I now inclose you.—1 This is a tolerably good device to reconcile the two parties of slave and anti-slave, into which the majority are divided. [It pr]ovides tolerably well for the introduction of slaves into the territory, under the form of heavy penalties against it.— This is now in general the great art of Legislation at this place— To do a thing, by assuming the appearance of preventing it— To prevent a thing by assuming that of doing it.

I intended to wait untill the question on Breckenridge’s amendmt should be taken to give you the result— But it will certainly pass.— So I may as well close my letter—

4 O’clock— Breckenridge’s Amendment has not pass’d. Something else must be tried.

RC (Adams Papers); addressed: “John Adams Esqr / Quincy. / Massachusetts.” Some loss of text due to placement of the seal.

1The enclosure has not been found, but for the Senate debate on slavery in Louisiana, see JQA to AA, 27 Jan., and note 1, above.

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