dent, John Gaillard, a Senator from South Carolina: on the part of the House, it was nominated by Henry Clay, the Speaker, and Representative from Kentucky. This committee, thus constituted, drawing its double life from the South, was unanimous in favor of the Compromise. A private letter from Mr. Pinkney, written at the time, and preserved by his distinguished biographer, shows that the report made by the committee came from him:—
"The bill for the admission of Missouri into the Union (without restriction as to slavery) may be considered as passed. That bill was sent back again this morning from the House, with the restriction as to slavery. The Senate voted to amend it by striking out the restriction, (27 to 15,) and proposed, as another amendment, what I here all along been the advocate of, a restriction upon the vacant territory to the north and west, as to slavery. To-night the House of Representatives have agreed to both of these amendments, in opposition to their former votes, and this affair is settled. To-morrow we shall (of course) recede from our amendments as to Maine, (our object being effected.) and both States will be admitted. This happy result has been accomplished by the Conference, of which I was a member on the part of the Senate, and of which I proposed the report which has been made."
Thus again the Compromise takes its life from the South. Proposed in the committee by Mr. Pinkney, it was urged on the House of Representatives, with great earnestness, by Mr. Lowndes, of South Carolina, and Mr. Mercer, of Virginia; and here again is the most persuasive voice of the South. When passed by Congress, it next came before the President, James Monroe, of Virginia, for his approval, who did not sign it till after the unanimous opinion, in
