In the House the struggle raged at the same time. On November 23, Lowndes of South Carolina reported a resolution to admit Missouri, taking the ground that, as Congress at the last session had authorized the people of Missouri to form a state constitution, Missouri had thereby been invested with all the rights and attributes of a state, and all those who in good faith respected the acts of the government would now vote for the formal admission of Missouri as a matter of course. This was vigorously combated by John Sergeant of Pennsylvania, a staunch opponent of slavery, and a man of fine ability and high character, whom we shall meet again in political companionship with Clay under interesting circumstances. He stoutly maintained that Congress, when authorizing the people of Missouri to form a constitution, had not parted with the power of looking into that constitution to see whether it conformed to the prescribed conditions. The debate then ranged again over the whole slavery question, growing hotter as it went on, and finally the resolution admitting Missouri was, on December 13, rejected by a majority of fourteen. The excitement which followed was intense. When the vote was announced, Lowndes rose and solemnly called upon the House to take measures for the preservation of peace in Missouri. The apprehension that the fate of the Union trembled in the balance was again freely expressed. Six weeks later, on January 24, a resolution offered by Eustis of Massachusetts, to admit Missouri on condition that
