The South saw no resource. As a section it was sparsely peopled, and could neither supply from its own population nor attract from abroad a sufficient emigration to compete in the settlement of the territories. Besides, 30 had been still further diminished in 1832 by the adroit policy of Northern members of Congress.
When Georgia demanded the removal of the Indians from her borders in compliance with the contract made by the United States in 1802 in accepting the cession of Mississippi Territory, it was decided to provide an Indian reservation west of the Mississippi. Mr. Benton has recorded the fact that the party in power was relieved from an annoying position by the generous co-operation of Northern members. This co-operation, however, had the effect of settling these red men upon the Indian Territory, and thus cutting off at least one State from the area which had been left to the South by the Missouri compromise. Florida alone remained as a Southern resource.
In this extremity, the Southern States clearly saw that the time was drawing near when they must lose their last hold on the balance of power the Senate. The Northern territories were rapidly approaching statehood ; the sentiment against slavery was growing in intensity and power and was already portentous. They must prepare either for the surrender of slavery or for disunion, or they must find some resource to avert the danger. Their thoughts turned to revive the policy which they had engrafted on the institutions of the United States and which had been the foundation of their long lease of power territorial expansion. They called to mind that Texas had been a part of the Louisiana cession and had been bartered away to appease Northern jealousy. It was now sorely needed to protect Southern equality. It was larger than the whole of New England, and could be made into five or six States.
