~~LETTERl~S'~ FOt THE PEOPL' E, 
LETTERS~~~~~~~~~~~. gOR IH   EPE
ON THE
PRESENT CRISIS.
1. SLAVERY IN MISSOURI —-Rapidly declining.
2. NEBRASKA TERRITORY —-Where is it? and What is it?
3. THIE AMERICAN INDIANS —-How shall the Government
treat them?
4. THE PACIFIC RAILROAD —-Where shall it run? and
Reasons why. 
5. COMPROMISES —-How kept, and what their effects.
6. THE TRUE PATRIOT'S DUTIES --- To be performed
without delay.
-/'-"il 
Ii - 
NOTE TO THE READER.
I have lately received, from an esteemed friend, the following let.
ters.  They were written in reply to a request that lie would furnish
me his opinions of the influence of slavery, upon the opening of Nebraska Territorv, and the building of the Pacific Rail-road. So deep ly have they interested my own mind, so startling are some of the
facts disclosed and so beneficial does knowledge, by the people, concerning these important questions, become in an issue like the present,
that I have deemed it my duty to make them public.
Every one who reads these letters, will do so with far more interest
and benefit, if he has before him some one of the large maps of North
America, or the Western States and Territories. 
As they are sent forth for the benefit of the masses, I would request every gentleman to"vhom they are sent, to give them the widest
circulation in his power; and to the Press-that  mighty engine for
good or evil in every community-I especially commend them as af.
fording anl opportunity of vast and ilmmediate usefulness, which  will
be endless in its benefits to the people.
A     I. H..
New York, Oct. 1st, 1853.
Is               t  
I;
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fi                               a,       v.  
LETTERS FOR THE PEOPLE.
LETTER I.
Saint Louis, June 1st, 1853.
MY DEAR FRIEND: In reply to your letter,  requesting me to give
you my opinions of the signs of the times, and the bearings of the
g,reat national questions justs now to be settled. as they have been presented to my view at this point,-a point so deeply interested in both
the subjects you inquire about,-I shall, for my own satisfaction, as
well as to arrive at actual facts, give them a practical and minute,
as well as philosophical examination.
Hiig,hly as you estimate the importance of these questions, you can
not, and no man can, calculate a tenth of the influence they will exert to bless our land, ifsettled aright.  WVe are passing a'crisis, and,
if our countrv and our Cohgress do their duty to themselves, to unitversal humanity, and to God, all will be well.
You inquire, Hlow larg(e is Nebraska? What are its soil and climate?  \Vill it be admitted as a Territory this winter? Will it be
free?   Now, there are preliminary questions and side issues, which
should  be first disposed  of,  to cBne to a true understanding of the
case; and, while I shall treat the two great topics in all my letters,
viz:
NEBRASKA  TER,RITORY-Sitall it befree?
PACIFIC  RAILROAD- Tlhere shall it' be built?
I shall examine,  in my  first  letter,
The position of Missouri, as regards Slavery-Slavery waning in Missouri-Size and
importanceof Missouri-Slavery unnatural to the State-Re-election of'I'homas
H. Bentont-Why defeated —How  re-elected-Internal imiprovements-State ap  propriationt-Ianqux of foreigners-Iniquence of foreigners on Slavery
.And I proceed, as preliminary to the admission of Nebraska, to
examine
Tnhe social and political condliiot of the sovereign State of Mlissouri.
T1his vast State, now th' friontier of civilization and  refinement for
- tli3 Atlantic side of our Republic is destined, before many years, to
be the verv center of the nation, in business, wealth, and population.
T'he position of this State, gogrrap[-iically, is  butfpoorly understood
)by the nation at large.   Its northern b,)undary, if extended eastward,
iwould pass througrli the city of New York.   Its southern boundary,
-.
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rowc
'I? 
LETTERS FOR THE PEOPLE,
the famous parallel of 36~ 30mn., runs through Tennessee and North
Carolina, about five miles south of their north boundary.  On the
east flows the Mississippi, and, on the west for 200 miles, and through
the whole center of the State, rolls the Missouri, measuring by its
windings more than 600 miles within the State. From the Mississip.
pi to the Missouri, the State is about 220 miles wide; in the broadest
part, from the Mississippi to the western meridian, it is more than 300
p~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
miles. 
Saint Louis, the future metropolis of the nation, is situated on the
Mississippi river, midway between the northern and southern bounda ries of the State, and is on the same line with the city of Washington.
All the land north of the Missouri, and a strip south of it, reaching
across the State, is suited for agriculture.  There is no richer land
in the world, none which can produce heavier crops, or which more
readily responds to the exertions of the husbandman.   The southern
half of the State consists of beautiful grazing lands, interspersed with
mineral sections, which alone make her richer than any other State
in the Union. Such is the State, 300 miles from north to south,.with
an average breadth of 231 miles.
Missouri is one of those States " blessedl" with the curse of slavery,
and its political relations to tile Union are different from those of any
other SLate in the confederacy. Her admission was a cause of con tention, which shook the whole nation to its center.  A compromise
was effected.  Henry Clay brought forward an agreement between
thile contending parties, to which they assented.  But, even while he
produced the Missouri Compromise,  while he hinmself was a slave.
holder, he urged the citizens of Missouri not to p)ermit the introduc.
tion of slavery, and declared, were he a citizen of that State, he
would oppose the legalizing of slavery there with all his ability. Had Missouri but heeded his prophetic voice, what hundreds of thou sands of population, what tens of millions of moneys, now unpossess ed, would have been hers.
But slavery, although legalized in this State, has never flourished
in it to any great extent.  The contest concerning its admission was
so fierce, that it has seemed to the south as questionable, whether or
not slavery could maintain the foothold, which it then obtained. And
this feeling is beginning to enter the minds of our most discerning
citizens who are owners of slaves; and it is not without foundation.
1 proceed to give some data, to show that
The Institution of slavery is fast crumbling, and is soon to fall in,
Mlissouri:
I state as an indication of the feeling in regard to slavery in Mis souri.
1. The re-election of Thomas H. Benton to Congress.
In the midst of the agitation which recently pervaded the nation,
and the threatened division of the Union, the Legislature ofthe State
of Missouri gave in their pledge of adherence to a Southern Confede.
racy, should one be formed; and also gave instructions to their Sen ators and Representatives how to vote, in all cases involving slavery
4 
ON THE PRESE'NT' cRISiS.
and the Wilmot Proviso.  Mr. Benton, in the Senate, disobeyed these
instructions, and refused to form any union with southern nullifiers
This called down the wrath of the slaveocracy of Missouri; be was
broken of the honor he had borne for thirty years,  as a Senator of
this State.   His enemies supposed they had triumphed; for a time,
his friends almost despaired; but, offering himself as a candidate for
the Lower House, he was  elected.  He nOw holds a place, as far as
personal influence is concerned, more powerful than before; and his
friends hope, at the next Senatorial election, to place him in the seat
at present occupied by Mr. Atchison, and his enemies with trembling
are expecting it will be done.
The defeat of Mr. Benton resulted not so much from a dislike to
his sentiments, as from fierce, sudden opposition, which dispirited his
friends, while he was not present to reply, or encourage them.  But
they have rallied, and he himself upon the trail of Atchison, with the
courage and the strength of a lion, is making a canvass of the State.
I believe it is the policy of the Whigs throughoutthe Union, to permit slavery to take its natural course, to neither legislate to extend it,
nor to uproot it; but to let the various elements, in the constitution of
a free and Christian nation gradually, but surely, eradicate the evil.
In Missouri, the Whig party, as a whole mav  be considered as Wilmot Proviso men, who would not, it the question could be brought up
distinctly by itself, do any thing to directly continue, or propagate,
slavery. While this is true, so long as Missouri is a slave State, the
great parties must and will act in accordance with the economy of
the State, and may, in their strifes, leave this qveption untouched.Thus it is with the Whig party of Missouri. n.
Mr. Benton, however, is a democrat.   His defeat was upon  the
express ground, that he did not regard the slave interest of Missouri.
He acknowledged that hetid not, and declared she would be infinitely V richer, happier, more populous and prosperous, were she free.
He eats none of his words, he takes no step backward.   When cast
out of the Senate, speaking to his enemies, he declar,es that should
all his friends desert him, he would alone maintain his position on
this question. " The war is a war of extermination, and the war is but
just begun."  Such are his sentiments, they are founded  upon the
glorious scenes which rise before his far-seeing eye in the future,
when, with a different policy, Missouri having marched to the first
rank among the peerless sisterhood of States, his statue shall be
crowned with laurel, and his name honored in song, as her noblest
son.  He cannot fall back from his position, for the longer he gazes,
the brighter grows the vision, and the louder the acclamrnations. With
such sentiments in his mouth, was he re-elected in the face of the
most violent opposition; and with such sentiments in his heart are the
people of Missouri preparing to elevate himn'again to the Senate. He
could be elected to the Senate to-day, if the question were proposed
to- the people.  The instructions he disobeyed, and the dissolution
action of the legislature, are to day hateful and odious with the peope.  Politically, it may safely be set down that thiee-fourth's of the
5
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LE.TTER,S FOR TIIE PEOPLE,
State would vote against slavery, were the question tQ Dome up,di.
recily, slavery or no slayvery in Missouri.
mention as an indication that slavery is soon to fall in Missouri.
2. The progress of Internal Improvements.
It is a common sayi.ng in this State, "one German knpcks out three
slaves, one Irishman two;"' and it is as true as common.  Labor is
very high, white servants can not be obtained, and the owners of
slaves let them at high prices.'this diminution of hands on the
plantations makes the price of those retained still higher; and, in
this manner, a demand is produced for slave labor, which would not
exist in the State, could those who  hire," and do not "own," supply themselves with white help.
Legislative aid, amounting to more than $8,000,000, has just been
granted to various railroads in the State.  Hannibal and St. Joseph,
$1,500,000; Pacific, $3,000,000; South Western, $1,000,000; Iron
Mountain,  $750,000; North  Missouri, $2,(!00,000.   All of these
roads will be in progress this year, and they will produce a vast influx
of foreign population. Wherever these roads run, the families of laborers can find, within a few miles, employment and good wages.  Labor,
being high in all departments, many will leave the employ of the
contractors, and become residents of the various towns and cities.
When the roads are completed, the State will find some 15,000 or
20,000 foreign population within its borders, ready to do any kind of
work/that may be offered,-a population which will tell politically as
well as socially, upon the system of slavery. This State has never
before offered for construction any public work, either railroad or
canal, so much th$ elight ofthe foreign population. There has been
no excitement to call them hither.  But now, the time has come, the
people demand improvements in transportation, travel, mails, and they
will have them.  Each section, jealous of,4very other, demands them
at the same time; and the next five years will witness an imnmigration of foreigners into this State, which will have no parallel in the
West. Many are now in the State, scattered in every direction,
ready to give their brethren a hearty welcome, and point out to them
the speediest and richest avenues to a competency, when they shall
come among them.
Nor is this all.  A great portion of the foreigl population of our
country congregate in large towns, and go from onle place to another
where the stages of travel are easy, quick, and cheap, taking em.
ployment wherever they can find it, and hearing of all good openings
for labor in the neighborhood of the road.  Thus, when these shall
be all completed, and in regular operation, they will steadily and ra.
pidly furnish to the State free labor.
It is probable that, within five years, as the direct result of the
building of these railroads, 15,000 men, not now in the State, will be
introduced; and of women and children belonging to them able to
labor, there will be 15,000 more.   In the same time, the increase of
the whole slave population will nhot exceed 15,000, and they, too, al.
most all young children,a burden and expense to their owners for
the first twelve years.
6 
QN TRE  P-EFN;T  CRI-;5f.;
'Ihus, while'the whole increase of the effiieie slave, working force,
for the next five years, will probably be los  than four thousand, the
effiieont white force, of foreigners alone, will amount to somxne 30,000,
in 4ddition to the children they will bring with them and produce, in
that period.
Wherever in a slave State a foreigner goes, he not only creates a
competition disadvantageous to slave labor, but carries absolute op-.
position to it with hiin.   There are every where in slave States,
thousands of men, who would rather hire a inan atd pay 4iin for his
services, than hire a slave, and pay a master for his labor. Although
the deepest love often exists between a master and slave, it i~ rare
indeed that it springs up between the hirer and the slave.   -,On the
other hand, firiendship does constantly spring up between the employer and the employed, where both are voluntary in their mutual agreement.  Almost unconsciously to themselves, this class which is vast,
ly the majority in this State will, with thie supply of free labor, en.
tirely withdraw their support from the institution of slavery, and
gradually look upon it as a nuisance, and a disadvantage to the community; and then desire, and at last take steps to rid themselves of
it.'This is the inevitable course of things.
.More anon.                               -
Yours truly,
LETTER II.
Decline of Slavery in Missouri, continued-Saint Louis-Population-Slaves-Free
element-Situation-Rivers-Railroad-Prospects-Census —Slaves in Missouri  Farms in Missouri-Social Distribution of Slaves  Number of efficient Slaves  Ratio of Freedem-Free Ratio rapidly increasing.
Saint Louis, June 10th, 1853.
MY DEAR FRIEN)D:  In my last, I enumerated some of thle indications, that slavery is soon to fall in the State of Missouri.  I will
now mention,
3. The rapid and healthy growth of this?noble city.
Between 1840 and 1850, Saint Louis gained 66,275 inhabitants.
The county or Saint Louis, including the city, had, in 18)50, 105,064.
What character of population,,was that, as regards the question before
us?  There are now in Saint Louis county, including the city, but
),967 slaves, while the whole population probably exceeds 135,000:
so that, since 1840, there has' been a gain on the side of s"No  sla
very in Missouri," of more than 100,000, in twelve years in a
single county. This 100,000 are worth as much monqpey in a physi.
cal capvity for labor alone, as the 87,000 slaves of the State.'rlTe
State, tlIen, has gained in this one city and county more absolute value
of energy, enterprise, and labor, than all the slave property of Mis.
sotiuri, which has been sixty years reaching its present amount and
value.
7
Ly, Nciius. 
LETTIE'S FOR  THE PEOPLE,
Among this 100,000 are men of education and talent, in the ptalpit,
at the bar, and in the hospital, who bring to us the honor and respect
of the nation.  In that 100,000, also can  be found more than three fourths of the capital and business talent, which are rolling money
so rapidly into our State, and exert so commanding an influence over
the mercantile interests of the whole of the Mississippi, Missouri, II.
linois, and Ohio valleys.    When we consider not only the bones,
sinews, and muscles, gained since 1840, here in our own city, worth
as I have stated more than all the'slaves'in Missouri, but add to that
the intelligence, and freedom of action, of this mass of beings; and
then add to that the vast abilities, the capital, and the influence it
possesses, and the  slavery of Missouri fades into insignificance be fore it.
But the growth of this city has just commenced.  Nature has placed her midway between the springs and outlets of the Mississippi,
has seated her between the mouths of the Missouri and Ohio, and
pours upon her bosom the waters of the Illinois.  So long as these
mighty rivers shall flow, she will have a commerce which will year
by year increase'.
And art and science have been called in, to assist in those directions where mighty rivers do not flow.   Already, by her steamers
and the Alton railroad, she is pouring supplies of merchandize into
Central Illinois. She is binding herself to Cincinnati by iron bands,
to make it but a stopping station between New York and the metropolis. [See map.]
She is building a railroad to bring the iron mountain within her
corporation.  She is constructing another to turn the wealth of Iowa
and Minnesota into her bosom. She is running a line west 300 miles
to the Indian country, there to cross the Missouri into the fertile
Platte country, thence toibe extended to the Pacific States;  and she
is stretching another still into the valley of the Arkansas.  Such are
her prospects; a circle of a thousand miles, north and west, rolls all
its commerce and products into her marts; and as these countries
increase in population and wealth, so must increase her standing and
glory.
It is true that our papers are defiled by the advertisements of slavetraders, but they are few.   Our Court.house witnesses the sale, in
the public street, of "God's image cut in ebony;"  and yet, this is
emphatically a free city.  When the auctioneer leaves the block, the
Abolitionist, even, may mount it and make  his harangues,  and be
protected by the masses.   Most of the sales are for debt, or to close
estates in accordance with the statute law.   As a city belonging to a
slave State, we live on, anrd try to be peaceable, and obey the laws;
seeing a brighter and happier day fast approaching. 
But while St. Louis says nothing about slavery, she nevertheless
wishes slavery''ab'olished.  Were the 87,0()00 slaives free, the-:would
be a more brisk circulation of money.  There6 would be 87,':i0 new
consumers, at once, in the State.  Labor would be more h6norable,
and the pursuits of agriculture being followed  with more  ene'g.,
. 8
e 
proportion oi siaves to eacn Iarui - prujuiLitiu ui  o,i,
black. These items are calculated for each of the slave States individually.
O.
STATES.                                                      
0                   0  c- 1 
E~~-                    E.E-      0
~~~~~               I~~~~~~= ~___~- 
DelawaTe,            91,535  71,289  17,957    2,289   6,063  39,0    1.2.7
Maryiand,           583,035 419,590  74,o77   90,368  21,860   5.4    3 7    4.1!
Virginia,         1,421,661 894,204  53,929  472,528  77,015!  2.0    8.7   6.1
North Carolina,    868,903' 553,295  27,196  288,4'12  56,916   2.0   10.6  5:1
South Carolina,    668,507 274,647   8,851  385,009  27,868   0.13 43.0! 13.8
Georgia,           905.8999 52 81,438   $,880  38681! 51,759   1.4  132.0    7.4
Alabama,            771;671 426,507   2,272 342,892 41,964   1.2  150.0   8.2
Mississippi,       606,555 295,753    899  309,898  33,960   0.9  344.0  1 9.0
Louisiana,          511,974 255,416  17,537  239,021i 13,4221  1.1  113.6G  17.8,
Texas,              212,592 154,102    331   58,161  12,198'  26  175.7   4.7
Florida             87,401  47,167    925   39,3091  4,30)4  1.    42.6  79.I
Kentucky,           982,4(5$ 761,688   9,736  210 9811 74,7771  3.6,  21.6   2.8
'Tennessee,!1,002,6251 756,893   6,271  239,461  72,710   3.1   280    3.2
Missouri,           682,i43 592,077   2,544   87,422 54,4581  6.9   34.0    1.6
Arkansa,         209,63  162,068      589  46,982  17, 75    3.4  79 7    2.6
Dist. Columbia,         51,7   47,999..  368S          14.0   _  _
By this table it appears, that while Missouri is second only to Texas in size, and seventh in population among  the slave States, she is
the eleventh as regards her slave population.   She is also the fifth in
the number of cultivated farms.   But more to the purpose:  With
the exception of little Delaware, with her eight free blacks to every
slave, and thirty-eigh free persons to every slave, and  but' one-third'
of a slave to woik a plantation, with a slave increase of only  eighty'three in ten years;  leaving out this little State, Missouri has'twice as
strong a free element within her as any other slave State! 
:Slave labor is especially valuable  in agriculturid pursuits, wheb
thb owner can feed his slaves, and clothe,them, at the actual cost o!
home  productions  off food:ad  clothing.  It is  not'so profitable
i
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::,.:,    1 *,:  b 
LE-T'TrS FOR TIHE PEOPLE,
where 411a they eat and wear must be purchased at high market pri?
ce.,  It is profitable where one man can control and oversee the la.
bar of several individuals, in reference to tihe most plain kindsof la bor, but not where it takes oneihalf the time of a iman worth $1,50
per day, to oversee a slave worth 75c. per days
I will make a brief calculation, respecting what division could be
made of the slaves of Missouri, supposing that withdrawing them
firom all other occupations, they could become common field hands.
There are 87,422 slaves, and 54,458 farmis, so there would be but
1 6-1 Otlhs slaves to work each farm.
But in this estimate, we have considered them as all adults and
able to labor;  wheras the truth is far the opposite.    There are
among these 87,000, at least one.third who are unable, on account
of old age, sickness, or extreme youth, to repay their masters even
for the food and clothing they consume: these thenmust at least be
subtracted from the whole sum, and it stands thus 87,422-27,140
=60,282. There is then an efficient force, capable of labor, of only
60,228 to work 54,458 farms, or only one and one.tenth slave for each
farm.
But here again we have assumed, that this 60,228 were allymales,
whereas one half of them are women, so that the efective male force
in all Missouri, is but 30,141 for 54,458 farms, or but 521.tenithsofa
man to each farm, or in other words 30,141 farms have each one
male slave, somewhere from 12 to 60 years of age, while 24,327
have none at all.
But here we have again assumed, that only one male slave is held
by a master, and that as many persons as possible, are implicated
in this traffic.   It must nQw be considered, that slaves are owned
generally in families, or gangs, and that they are- worked in nunbers.    There are slaveholders on the Missouri river who hold 400,
300, 200, or 150, slaves apiece; then there are some who own 30,
40, or 50, and many who own from 10 to 25; and it is almost universally true, that where a man has anything to do with the owning
of slaves, he has not less than from 4 to 7.
Were we then to divide the number of officient male slaves by
three, we should fall below rather than exceed their true distribution,
among the population.  There are 30,141 male working slaves; at 3
to each plantation, 10,047 farms would be supplied with slave labor,
leaving 44,401 farms without a single male slave.
But again we must make a deduction: we have based these vari.
ous distributions of slaves, upon the assumption that they were all
farmers, and worked on plantations. But this is not true, many are
owned by merchants, mechanics, and gentlemen of leisure, and to
arrive at the truth in reference to the agricultural slave strength, we
must deduct some 5,000 choice mnales, who are engaged as house ser.
vants, porters, cartmen, teamsters, mnechanics, and in hemp and tobaeco factories, this leaves us but 25.141 for 54.458 tarms.  Three
slaves being the average force on a farm gives a supply to but 8.143
farms, leaving 46.315 without a slave. -Such is beyond a doubt, the
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0 
a$solute condition, of the slave agricultural interest in Missouri, and
if slave labor is profitable Any where, it is in this branch of industry
As in the general white population, so in general negro population,
the female element is just equal to the male, i.e., the two sexes vary.
but slightly As regards total numbers.    So that if wve can settle the
true distribution of the males, we can justly apply the same distri.
bution to the females, and to the children also.   It will however be
perceived that we have, in all our calculations thus far, been to high,
for we have allowed to each male and female ovelr16 years of age, but
one child und(ler that age, and the blacks are notoriously prolific.
WVhiat, then, is the fact, as regards slavery in Missouri, as connrected with the agricultural interest of the State? It is, that while there
are.54.000 men with farms under cultivation, there are 8.143 who
own slaves, and work their land with them; while there are 46.315
who will not touch or use the system for their own aggrandizement,
and who, when it shall come to the issue, "Shall slavery continue
longer in Missouri?" will cast six votes against it )r every one the
slave farmers of Missouri will east for it.
Let us, in the next place, consider the social distribution of the
slaves,,as regards the whlole population of the State
The census states that there are 100.089 families in the State.
The slaves in the census are not counted in families by themselves;
the white families only are counted, and the slaves counted as be.
longing to the master.  The average size of the families of this State
is 6 ard seven-tenths to each family.  At this rate, were they count.
ed by themselves they would be 13.048 families of slaves, which
would leave 87.842 free families. As before remarked, slaves are
held in considerable numbers, when held at all; ana  each real slaveholder generally holds as much as one family, of 6 and seven-tenths
members.  But' by no means toe over estimate the matter, we will as.
sume, that each slave-holding family holds but half a family of slaves,
or, 3 and four-tenths slaves, a man, a woman, a child from  7 to 14,
and 1 from 1 to 7 years old. Every one acquainted through the State
will know, that this is an estimate far to low; but upon even this
basis, let us proceed.
There will. then, be in Missouri 26.096 families, holding slaves;
on the other hand including the slaves held,,as such, there are 74.794
families opposed to slavery.
Politically, however, the case is two-fold
1. If the question of gradual emancipation, should be acted upon
through the General Assembly of the State, the slaves, according to
the constitution of the government, must be counted. against them.
selves; for, in the apportionment of districts, every five slaves count
as three freemen, so that in those districts where slavery is strongest,
and could perhaps obtain a majority vote, there fewer votes elect a
delegate, and those the votes of their masters; we must therefore add
to the 26.090 slave.holding famnilies, three.fifths of slave-held families,
and we find 33,925 families politically efficient for slavery, while
53,817 families are politically efficient against it inr the State Legi
lature.
4
,.PN,,,rrHF, .PRES.ENT,    ISIS.
11, 
LETTTES RSFOR THE PEOPLE,
. In a popular vote.-Here matters assume a new form.   Eve'rv
white -citi Zen votes directly upon the question before him; here  the
slave population make no difference, they neither add to nor detract
from the strength of either party, and the families holding slaves
come directly in contact with those who do not;  or 26,096 families)
are opposed by 5.3,817 families holding no slaves.
More anon.
Yours truly,
LETTER  III.
Decline of Slavery in Missouri, continued-Ratio of Freedom to Slavery-Ratio pro  gressive-Slave localities-Free localities-Slave Counties retrograding-Project  ed Courses of Raih'oads-Distrust of Refractory Slaves-Neglect to Import Slaves
-Removal ot Planters to other States-General uneasiness of Masters-Extreine
anxiety respecting the organization of Nebraska.
Saint Louis, June 20, 185w.
MY D-FAR FRIErND:  In my last I was exhibiting the developments
of the last Census.  I now state, as a proof that Missouri is to lx
fiee,.-; 
5. The ratio of izdividual freedom to individual servitude.
In Missouri there are 594,621 free persons, and 87,422 slaves;
there.re, therefore, in the State 6 9-10lOths free persons to each slave.
For every gray.,haired, broken-down old slave, there are seven old
white men;  for every slave in the vigor and prime of life, there are
seven white men.  For every slave woman,  a maiden or a mother,
there are seven white women; and for every youth or in'fant born
and held as a slave, there are seven white infants or vouths free.
Now, when we remember that one-third of these slaves are so young
as to need the care of a mother-that there a slave man is held,
there a, slave woman also is held to do the household work; and
when again those who hold them strive to obtain as many as they
can, to parcel out among their growing families,we find that generally
only an many white persons are interested in the holding of slaves as
there are slaves to be held.   There are, then, not more than 87,422
persons, old and young, in Missouri, who have any interest or profit
from the holding of slaves; and thus, for every one who favors the
institution, there are six who oppose it.
In. what light does this place the institution'of slavery in our State?
is it safe-is it a delectable position to own slaves here?  It seems
to me the niost uncomfortable in the whole world.   In Kentucky,
there has been a public movement to bring about a plan of gradual
emancipation, and they were defeated  by a majority of about onethird..'But' that defeat was wrought by a commingling of the ques.
tion "-with party prej'udices' and' local interests, and  by a fier'ce and
12
LYNCEuS. 
ON TN E PRESENT -C.RSS,,.
overbearing vindication of slavery.  But compar, fornHe moment,
the ratio we have been examining, as we find it in these two Stat~4.
Kentucky has 761,688 fre9 persons; Missouri, 592,077;:Kentucky
has 210,981 slaves; Missouri, 87,422.   In Kentucky,  there are
3 6.1(ths whites to each slave; in Missouri there are 6 9.-loths
whites for each slave:  so that Missouri lacks but 3.10ths of aunit
to have a free element within her twice as great as that in Kentucky;
and the element of freedom in Missouri is more intelligent, influen.
tial, and wealthy, as a whole, than in Kentucky, How, then, whet
the masses of Missouri shall demand a popular vote-" Slavery or
no slavery in Missouri?"-howv will the decision fall?  She can poll
a vote for freedom twice as strong as that of Kentucky, and she will
find more powerful.advocates to-urge the side of freedom.
I have often felt that I should like to write'upon this subject for
our city papers:;  but I knew they would not publish the articles.
Our political Journals make their bread by their columns, and they
therefore follow public sentiment, and cater to it, rather than lead it.
If, however, a moderate journal, ably conducted, were established in
this city, whose avowed object was to bring about, in the best manner,
a system of gradual emancipation for our State, its circulation would
be immense, and its usefulness almost without a limit.  It will not,
however, be many years before public sentiment will have so. far
changed, that the " Republiean," "Democrat,": "Union." and "'In.
telligencer," will all stand upon the free side of the question
1 mention, as another indication,
6. The steady increase of this ratio of freedom.
In the year 1820, before Missouri was really a State, there were
within her limits 5 5-10Oths free persons to each slave.  The Compromise passed,and slavery legalized, a heavy immigration from slave
States commenced, and the ratio of freedom in ten years sunk onefifth, or descended from 5 5-10lOths to 4 5-10ths wite men for each
slave; but, true to nature and her geographical position, the free ele
ment again increased, and gained in the'next ten years what it lost
from 1820) to 1,q30, so that in 1840 the ratio stood again at 5 5-10ths
white to each slave.  Since that it has gone rapidly forward, and in
1850 had gone, in ten years, from 5 5.10ths to 6 9-10Oths free to
each slave.
WVhat will the end of these things be?  For 20 years the free element faster and faster has been outstripping the slave element
What will be the condition of Missouri when Jan. 1st, 1860, shall
pour its light upon.us. During the last ten years the free increase has
been 802-1000lths, and the slave 507-1000lOOOths, on their own previous
accumulations. Now, if the State shall increase for the present ten
years at the same ratio, it will gain, by January 1st, 1860, 477,402
freemen, and only 44,477 slaves; and the total population will be
1,070,542 freemen, and only 132,244 slaves, or a ratio of 8 1.10th
whites to every slave.
But will this be the increase for the present ten years? It will
not! Slaves in great numbers were brought into Missouri up to 1846.
i
q 
L14~~tS' Fit ~ th  P'OPL,E,
Since J$nua'ry, 1850, soa-'re a slave has beeh brought into Miss6ti:
'The slaves taken away by masters removing, and those sold Sodtlh hi
ao'otu't of misdemeanors, will far outnu,mber those now brouglit if
the State.
Xg~a'a~  the i;mmigrtio  into Misso-i,p So 0, had been alhot
entirely from the South;. but from that time, a foreigh and nortlibe
imrnmigration set in, which every year becomes larger and stronge:.
All the men drawn hither by our public imrnprovemenets, will come
through an influence which never before evisted.  Our improvements,
thtemselves, making us the  cenrtre and not the outskift of th$ nation,
will overcome the obstacles of time, money, and distance, which Ihav
existed heretofore, and so greatly retarded our settlement.  Our rail.
roads will also, wherever they pass, opeil new fields for investments,
and cultivation, which will call thousands, and hundreds of thousands,
who were before unheeding, to come and settle within our bounds
The two and a half years already passed, of this present decade, fully
justify the assertion, that the ratio of increase will be double that of
the last decade —that the increase will be in the free element, and that
there will be an absolute decrease in the slave element, when corn.
pared with itself in the last decade.
I mention, as further evidence that Missouri is to be free,   7. Some particular facts respecting slavery in this State.
And let us briefly contemplate the slave localities, and the locatit'es
of presentimmigration.  In 16 counties lying on the Missouri river,
there are 41,127 slaves and 113,944 free. This may emphatically be
called the slave region. Now this country is not increasing from inmigration, and yet it is the country possessing the slaves.  WVI)en wce
consider the population in ]1840, and compare it with 1850, we shall see
that some of the wealthiest, largest, and most populous counties, (do not
make even the progress which flows f'om thle natural increase of thel
race.  Callowayfin 1840, had 11,76.), in 1850 13.828; gain in ten
years only 2,063, or 2)06 each year.  Boone, in 1840, had 13,561 il
1850, 14,981;  gain in ten years only  1,420- only  142, white
and black, each year. Howard had, in 1840), 1',] 0o, in 1850 13,971;
gain in ten years 863, or only ~6 in each year.   While Cole, in 184-9,
had 9,286, in 1850 it had but 6,754; having in ten years lost 2,532, or
253 each year!-\Who dare say that slavery is not a.blessing and a
help to prosperity, commerce, and population?
Now in this section of country, in these sixteen counties, there are
but 2r whites for each slave.  PThlere must, then, he other portions of
the State in which the free" element as far exceedsgthe average ratio
(6 9-1lOths) as in these counties it falls below it. Such a locality is just
opening upon the line of the Hannibal and St. Joseph railroad. In the
8 counties through which this road runs, there are 49.007 freemen,
and 5,553 slaves-i e., nearly ten free to each slave.  Butt let us take
off Marion county, wlichl is in the slave section on the Missi~.,ippi
river, and we have remaining 39,609 free and 2,710 slaves, or 1 slave
to 14~ free.
This section, more than 200 miles in length, opens to the eniigrant
14 
ON- TAE PRESENT CRISIS.
the most glorious prospects.  Scarce a paper dame to us all the spring,
from Glasgow, Boonville, Brunswick, and other central towns  upon
the river, which did not mention that the steamboats were flooding then)
with men on their way to visit and explore the country, in order that
they might enter lands, and obtain choice locations.  For weeks their
hotels were crowded with such visitors, either going or returning.
Many alsocame down from Iowa, and many passed directly west from
Quincy and Hannibal, to examine the country.
The line of the railroad has been entirely settled, and soon as the
Railroad Commissioners have indicated their choice of lands for the
use of the railroad, there will be a greater immigration to the State
than it has ever before received.
The North Missouri railroad also opens another such field, it cross es the Hannibal and St. Joseplh railroad, at nearly right angles near
its center.
The South- Western road also runs, for two hundred miles, through
a country where nature makes slavery unprofitable, and where the
people look u1pon it with great displeasure.  The census and obser vation will show the most thoughtless, that the free portions of the
country have been growing for the last few years, while the slave
portions have been standing still, or even losing ground.  The-immigration is almost entirely from the Northern States, and  whetlier
American or foreign, hates slavery.
The period of slavery is fixed-in 1issouri; there is no vital power
in the institution to sustain or propagate itself.   Being a selfish and
avaricious system, no one will come from abroad to sustain and up.
hold it; the country is growing away from it, and it will die from
being overshadowed by an uncongenial tree-the tree of absolute
liberty, whose sap is the dignity of labor, whose leaves are justice
and equality, whose fruits are peace, wealth, intelligence, and religion.
8. Slaveryfeels itself in daniger in Missouri.
This is seen in various ways.  One is, the extreme distrust of refractory slaves.   When a slave does wrong, the master resorts not
to the severer punishments usual In the slave States; for he fears
lest his servant may, with the morrow, be far away for east, or west,
or north.  The slaves in this State are treated well, very well, and
that of necessity.  The masters try to govern them  by kindness, instead of.violence, and yetthis does not suffice to keep them.  To onel
making a winter collecting tour, it is a matter of amazementt, as he
passes from county to county, in every hotel bar-room, to see the almost countless number of advertisements, giving descriptions and
offering rewards for runaway slaves.   They are often recaptured,
and are immediately sold out of the State, lest their refractory example should become contagious.
Another proof is the neglect to procure slaves.  Slaves in Missouri
are worth from $500 to $1500, while in Virginia they can be bought
from $250 to $900.  They can be transported for $25 each. Slaves
holders, who need slaves badly to work their plantations, who have
15 
LETTElERS FOR THE.PEOPLE,
goald locked in their coffers, who have no scruples about buying-; and
Slling, and owning, and working slaves, will yet not lift a~hand, to
bring themr from Virginia.  They hare relatives there, from whom
or through whom they could obtain them.  They are constantly visiting there themselves,'and their factors are passing back and forth,
and yet they will not purchase more.  Wherefore?, Laziness? No.
Contentment,with present possessions? No. Humanity or conscience?
By no means.  What then.?  Nothing but fear.  The same avarice
that leads them to hold what they have,is a check upon  them, and
will not let them hold more; the risk is too great; they long to do it,
but dare not fill their desire.
I am now speaking of the more intelligent and observing of the
planters, not those who can not write their names to a note of hand,
who can not read a newspaper, and who are compelled, in all business transactions requiring figures or writing, to trust to the honesty
of an amanuensis.  Such men know not what is passing in the country, the State, or even county. They have few thoughts which straggle beyond the fences of their farms, or off from the highways.Thinking, clear-minded planters,are advising theirchildren and friends
not to entangle themselves with this unsafe institution, not to invest
their money in such unceitain property,they say to them," Keep clear
of slavery  save your money for something else! work harder yours-lves and hire whites; they will be more numerous after a little."'
I mention also the ErIGRATIOn of slaves and mastersfrom Missouri.
Three years since, two planters from Virginia moved into Andrew
and Holt, with some forty slaves.  In less than two years, they sold
their plantations, and returned to Virginia, alleging that Missouri was
an unsafe country to hold slaves.
Some of the heaviest planters in Boone, Callaway, Chariton, and
Howard, have sold theirlands, and have gone with their slaves to Texas, stating that a change was soon to come over the whole State,'and
they were unwilling to endanger their property by remaining, or to
take part in the contest.  A general feeling of discontent is filling the
minds of the slaveholders.  There are too many foreigners in the
country, too many men from the north, too many poor from the slave
States, who, always degraded and kept down by the competition of
slavery, now loathe and hate it; there are too many of all these class.
es, for the intelligent slaveholder to feel at ease for a single hour.
The minds of thousands in Missouri, interested in slavery, are
turned towards Texas; and it is probable that in 1854, there will be
an emigration thither, that will relieve the State of severalfthousands
of slaves The planters find they can sell their lands here for prices,
which well pay for all they have expended on them, that they can buy
fine farms in Texas, at government prices, where their slaves will
be safe, and their minds free from care. With such inducements to
draw, and such fears to drive them, they can not, and will not, long
remain in Missouri; and when once the emigration is well commenced. it will increase with great rapidity.
There is, also, in Missouii, an increasing feeling infavor offreedomn,
16 
ON THE PRESENT CRISIS.
on the part of many masters.  Slaves are constantly being liberated,
by the benevolence of their masters, both during the life of the own er, and also at his death. Many slaves are buying their time, and
laying up what they can, by economy and industry, towards the pur.
chase of their freedom; many slaves are also permitted to work out
their freedom, by paying to their masters their whole earnings, which
are credited upon an agreed amount, which they are to pay their
masters for their freedom.
Others, also, would free their slaves, but can lot give the required
bonds, for their proper conduct,  &c. When, however, a plan of
gradual emancipation shall be adopted, they will be foremost to come
out, and grant freedom to their servants.
The feeling is becoming painful, through the whole State, that
slavery is retarding its growth, depressing its industry,  bringing
deterioration upon those districts where it most abounds, making the
men supercilious,thie women dolls,the children imbeciles. The old men
who, at the formation of our State government, helped draft our con stitution and entailed slavery upon us, have lived to see the day
when they mourn over their ignorance, prejudice and folly in that
step, and would now take just the opposite position.
The interest felt, by the State in the questions penfding, respecting
Nebraska, is most intense. The whole free element sympathizes with
the Missouri compromise. and wishes it' free.  The  slave  interrt
dare scarce speak, in their fear lest it should be so, and another
wall of fire be planted bevond them.  Nebraska must be a free State,
whatever Congress may do about it; and this dread felt by the slave
owners is not a mere imagination, it is a reality, which will soon be
felt thro,'gh everv inch of Missouri.
[flaviri, siluinhered for years, over the subject of common schools,
on a practical ati(l useful plan, and permitting the school money to be
squandered this last winter the Legislature has passed a general corm.
mon-school law, upon the verv best principles adopted by other States;
so that those conmling to the State to settle, will find the means of ed.
ucation ready for their use.
Such then is the absolute position-of the State of Missouri, in re.
gard to slavery.  And what a view  does it present to us!  Sixty
years, this institution has been seeking to obtain a firm hold In this
region.  Is 1820, it received the special legislation and fostering
care and protection of the Congress of the United States.  For some
20 years it was almost the only desirable outlet for southern emigra.
tion; and yet, it has for the last 20 years been absolutely losing
ground! for it is of no consequence in what  manner it is brought
about, whether by increase of freedorm  or decrease of slavery, that
the free element, in any particular State, obtains the ascendancy and
overbalances the element of slavery.
We see here a people divided iti her public policy respecting this
social evil, and waging a fierce war against the imposition of this
blight and incubus upon soil yet unpolluted and free fromm its noxious
contact.
B
14
17 
LET-T RS, FO. WT.,~E PEOPLE,
Wesee a stead  emigration frotnthe free States erol ing into Mis.
souri4,,constantly inoreasitng the n,ubers, the  influence  andl- the
'strength of those, who long -to see this evil melt away  from  the
-midsteof the land, and who are willing to adopt any judicious and
just method of gradual emancipation.
We see a-mighlly State, hitherto careless and inactive respecting
-her own interests, routsing herself like a lion to the work of public
improvements, and throwNing open her bosom and extending her hands
to every son of industry and toil, in every department of labor.
,We see men born under the usages and prejudices of ibis system,
from motives of pruidence, economy, publi.u good, justice, and  religion, turning away from and abandoning a system, fraught with so
much against which the finer and  nobler feelings of the soul must
~constantly rebel.
The die is east in Missouri.   Without.the knowledge or intention
of any man, or set of' nen), natural position, the peculiar settlement
of other portions of the country, and the energy of freedor, have
brought things to the; coi)ditionabove described.  The  currents are
set, the channels- cut; and no action of Congress, no effQrt or ex pense of the slave interest, can revive ihe element of slavery in this
State;- faster and faster must it fall behind, weaker and weaker will
grow its voice., until scarce a whisper shall it breathe in the councils
of the State- till sceareo a featIther's weight shall it avail in the policy
,of the people.  
God himself has done it, he has overruled circumstances, and pro.
duced causes which havethus resulted. Well isit that ithath been thus;
happy indeed that it was left to no set of fanatical, theorizing aboli tionists; man can reap no glory; no effolbrt has been put fotbrth by
him to produce it.   But the sanie wisdom and power which planned
and produced the present state of thing as, still are engaged  to prose.
cuteit to the end.   The circumstances which  we  have considered
are still operating, with hourly.-increasing power.   Time may be
necessary to its full completion; but sure as there is land within
her borders, or dwellers thereon, slavery on that soil is doomed to
extinction, and Missouri will be free..
Premising that I havelsatisfied you tthat my positions are correct,
I shall in.my next proceed directly  to the examination of. the
Immediate Organization of Nebraska Territory.
Truly yours,
LYNIcRUs.
LEiTTER IV.
Louisiana Territory-Division into States-Missouri admitted to the Union-Old Bond  ries of Missouri-Prohibition of slavery-West line of Louisiana Territory-Limits
of Nebraska-Indian Republic-Soil —Timber —Population-Indian  Reservation
and Treaties.
SFaint Louis, June 30, 1853
MY DEAR FDRIEn:  The Mississippi river was first discovered,
both at the north' and south, by the French;  and all the lands  est
0
I.is
%o 
ON THEE P:E-SENT CRISIS.,
and west, which poured their waters into it, were claimed as theirs.
All east of the  Mississippi  and  the Canadas, were  lost in war
with Great Britain, and our title from Great Britain extends no
further west than the center of the'Mississippi  river, nor south
of:31 deg. N.L.; all south of 31 deg. N. L. was ceded to us by
Spain.  All west of the Mississippi was claimed by France,  ex cept Mexico, which was conquered by Spain.  Near the close of'
the 18th century, France ceded all her territory to Spain.    But
in 1800, Spain re.ceded this same territory to  France; and in
1803, in consideration of the sum of-$15,000,000, France ceded
it to the United States,
In all these transactions, this vast country passed under the name
of the' Louisiana Territory." In 1804, Congress divided it, upon the line of 32 deg,. N.L., into two parts. Thie Southern part
was called the Territory of Orleans, (this is now the State of Lou isiana.) The Northern part was called, the District of Louisiana.
In this district a territorial government was established, and it'was
called the Territory of Louisiana.  In 1812, its name  was again
changed, and the State of Louisiana assurning that namne, it was
called the Territory of Missouri.   In 1819, that portion of Mis.
souri Territory lying south of 36 deg. 30 min.  N.L., was erected
into the Territory of Arkansas, and is now the State of Arkansas.
In 1820, Congress gave permission to the inhabitants of Missowi
Territory to form  a constitution, and to apply for admission into
the Union, as a sovereign State.   In this enactment, which em.
bodies the Missouri Compromise, an act passed with so much difficulty, we find the following statement of the boundaries of the
new State
Section second. Thence west on the parallel of latitude of 36
deg. 30 min. N.L., to a point where said parallel is intersected by a
meridian line, passing through the middle of tie mouth -of the Kan.
zas river, where the same empties into the Missouri river; thence
from the point aforesaid, north, along the said meridian ine, to tihe
i ntersection of the parallel of latitude which passes through the rapids
of the riter Des Moines, making the said line to correspond with
the Indian boundary line; thence' east," &c.
In Secion 8, respecting slavery   "And  be it further enacted,
That in all that territory, ceded by France to the'United  States,
under the name of Louisiana  which lies north of 836 deg. 30 min.
N.L., not included within the limits of the State contemplated by that
act, slavery and involuntary servitude, otherwise than in the punishrient of criteip,s, whereof the parties shall have been duly convic.
ted, shall be, and hereby is prohibited, forever.
"Provided always, That any person  escaping  into the same,
from whom   labor or service is lawfully claimed in any State or
Teriitory of the United States, such fugitive may be lawfully reclaimed, and conveyed to the person claiming his or her labor er
service as aforesaid.
!'Approved March 6, 18920."
19 
LETTERS FOR' THE PEOPLE,
In 1821, Missouri was admitted to the Union, on the additional
condition, that any regular citizen of any State in the Union might
freely enter her bounds.
The line, which separated the Louisiana Territory from the Span.
ish or Mexican States, is as follows:
"The boundary line between the two countries west of the Missis.
sippi, shall begin on the Gulf of Mexico, at the mouth of the river
Sabine, in the sea, continuing north along the western bank of that
river to the 32d degree of latitude; thence, by a line due north, to
the degree of latitude where it strikes the Rio Roxo of Natchitoches,
or Red River; then following the course of the Rio  Roxo westward,
to the degree of longitude 100 west from London, and 23 from
Washington; then crossing the said Red River, and running thence,
by a line due north, to the river Arkansas; thence following the
course of the southern bank of the Arkansas to its souirce; thence
north to the parallel of 42 deg. north latitude, and thence by that
parallel of latitude to the South Sea," (i.e. Pacific Ocean.)
The present States, which have been erected out of this Louisiana
Territory, bear the following names: Louisiana, Arkansas, Missou.
ri, Iowa.  They all border east upon the Mississippi river.  Trhe west
line of Louisiana and Arkansas, until it crosses the Red River, is the
same as the old dividing line. But above the Red River, and between
it..and the Arkansas,- there is a strip of the old Territory, 5 degrees
30 minutes, in width.   This strip extends ldeg. 30m. north of the
south line of Missouri; here the Territory widens, stretching from
Western Missouri to the Rocky mountains, 14 deg. from east to west
and 4deg. from north to south; at the latitude of 42deg. it ex.
tends from Western Iowa and the Upper Missouri, to the Pacific
Ocean.
We inquire, first, What portion of this country is to be considered
the Nebraska Terrier,? Nebraska is the Illdian name for,'the Great
River, which flows into the Missouri, near Council Bluffs, common.
ly called by its French name, the Platte.  To me, it seems that the
Nebraska Territory is already distinctly marked out, by present
boundaries and past legislation.   By annexation and the Mexican
war, the United States have acquired Texas, Utah, New Mexico, and
California.  But all these, while they come clear up to the old boundary line, do not pass beyond it, so that upon the west and south by
these new States and Territories, and upon the east by Arkansas,
Missouri, and Iowa, it is hemmed in. The latitude of 42 deg. north
runs from the Rocky mountains through to the Pacific; it is as fine
a base line for the new States above, as any that could be selected;
it separates California and Oregon; it bounds Utah on the north; it
divides New York and Pennsylvania, and would assist in the surveys
and divisions of Missouri Territory, in future years. [See map.]
It has been often suggested, that the Nebraska river should be its
northern boundary. But the whole of that river should fall within
its limits, as the Territory which will be established, north of Ne.
braska, will have within its center the Missouri river, and all her
20 
ON-T'HE PRESENT CRISIS.
tie large tributaries from the north; the Missouri, a stream naviga,
ble for the largest boats;, whereas, Nebraska  would have but two
rivers within her borders-the Kanzas and the Platte, neither of them
in the least navigable.
It has been urged, that it extends no further south than a'line
drawn from the Arkansas river, in 37 deg. 40m., north latitude.This leaves a point of the old Louisiana Territory, longitudinally
5 deg. 30m. wide, and latitudinally 4 deg. long.  But as the Missou-.
ri Compromise legislated upon a portion of this c"untry, and fced a
standard line for the separation of the country upon a most important
sul)ject, it seems tp rie, that precedent and justice require, that the
north should yield all below that line, and that the south should ask
nothing north of it;  Let the line of 36 deg. 30re.-the south line of
Missouri-the Compromise line-be the southern-most boundary, and
let the remaining part fall to T''exas, to help form the new free State
there.
The limits, as we have described them, make the new Territory,
at the east end, about 350 miles from north to south; at the western
extremitv about 200 miles, having an average width of about 240
miles,and running back from the State of Missouri to the Rocky moun.
tains.  Such are the limits which seemn naturally to belong to it. A
trenches upon no new possessions, and it is governed by the two great
lines of 36deg. 30m. and 42deg. nrorth latitude.  No mistake can
ever occur concerning its boundaries, for they are lines already
settled.
Are there inhabitants in this Territory?  There are.  In 1803,
Congress authorized the President, to exchange tracts of land west
of the Mississippi for lands owned  by Indians, residing east of the
Mississippi.
It was the design of the Government to collect the Indian tribes,
from among the various States, and, locating them in one section of
country, to establish a simnple form of government, and erect them
into a State ly)v themselves.   In 1825, the Kanzas and Osages, with
small reservations for themselves, ceded to the United States all their
original title to the lands upon both sides of the  Kanzas river.   In
1833, the four great divisions of the Pawnees ceded to the United
States all their claims south of the Platte, Other smaller tribes ceded to the Government the remainder of the land, lying south between
Arkansas and the old Spanish line.
In 1830, Conzress passed special enactm ents in reference to the
removal of the Indians, and the division ot this country for their reception; and the work of transplanting was commenced with vigor;
$500,000 having been appropriated to enable the President to execute the provisions of the act.
There are now, south of the line 36deg. 30m. north latitude,-the
proper southern boundary of Nebraska-the Chickasaws, Choctaws,
Creeks, Seminoles, and one half of the Cherokees. North of 36deg30m.. are one half the Cherokees, the Osages, Cherokee reservation,
Wyandots, Pottowatomies, Otawas, Chippewas, Peorias and Kaskas.
In 
kias, Wears and Pinkashaws, Shawnees, Kanzas, Delawares, Kickaspoes, Iowas, Sacks and Foxes, HalfBreeds, Otoes, and  Missourias.
I can find no estimate of the population of this Territory; but it is
probable that there are not more than 12,000 in the tribes north of
36deg. 30m., N. L.
Let us now inquire, Is Ithis counttry desirable to settle in?
The valley of the Kanzas to its head waters, is a rich loam. The
valley of the Platte is low, but for some 250 miles is very fertile,
then it changes to a deep sand.  The two great divides, or ridges,
botween the Arkansas and Kanzas, and the Kanzas and Platte, are
a mixed loam and sand, or gravel, which  makes a delightful soil to
till, and returns heavy crops.  The divide, between the Kanzas and
Platte, is more beautiful and fertile than the other. The valleys are
tolerably suppled- with timber. There is also some timber along the
Missouri river, and a slight growth is found along the sm)all streams.
Coal has been found of a superior quality at several locations, and
there are indications that an abundant supply will be found for the
whole Territory.
The Osage orange is indigenousto the southern part of the country,
and can be cultivated with the greatest ease in all the Territoryv; so
much so, that, with tolerable attention, three years will produce
hedges sufficient to'turn any stock. The want of timber for fencing
is thus readily supplied to the prairie land, and the expense of clear
ing timbered land, fencing and bringing it into cultivation, far exceed
the trouble, time, and labor, of producing the finest hedged farms in
the prairie districts.
The want of materials for building will be supplied by the pine,
brought across by the Hannibal and St. Joseph railroad, which can
be sold by that route lolyer than that which is now used in Western
Missouri, and brought up the rivet'.
The want of lumber will also lead to the erection of brick, stone,
and even beautiful free stone houses, as these materials can be abun.
dantly obtaine.d in various localities.  Such is the nature of the coun.
try, for some 300 miles west; then there are fertile divides and fine
rich prairies, scattered over a country, in some places almost barren.
It is alo thought that, ere long, the cutting and sawing pine will
become a heavy business on the James and Sioux rivers, which would
place this country on an equality of prices, for lumber and shingles
with the States on the Missisippi.
All these things considered, there is no section of the United States
more inviting to the settler than this Nebraska Territory.  With its
clear air, crystal streams, far.-stretching, rolling, flower-covered prairies, it is no wonder the remark is often made, that no one hlas set his
foot on it who has not wished he had a home there; and until the
population shall have reached more than 500,000 souls, there can be
no lack of room, or choice situations for the immigrant.
But is there no white population there?
At Fort Leavenworth, there is a reservation of nine square miles,
belonging to'the United States' Government.  Here, there isa popu.
LET,TE.RS'POP4, T'HF, PEOPLE,
22 
ON THE PRESENT CRi SiS.
lation, which varies greatly according to the season of the year, and
the demands of the army, numbering iiociers. soldiers, civilians in
the service of Government, mectlanics, farmers, teamsters, &c., &C.,
from 400 to 1200 persons, commonly the number does not exceed 600.
There are also various missionary stations belongin]g to She Meth odists, Presbyterians, Baptists, Quakers, and Catholics, at which
more or less white persons are r,equired, as teachers and instructors
in domestic and agricti'ltural pursuits.  Tiere are also the United
States' mechanics, loatee} by treaties a'mong the tribes. as carpen ters, blacksmiths, and farmers.  There are als  the authorized lndi an traders, the Indian agerits, and'the authorized agents of the Ameri can Fur Company. 
Some 70 votes were  polled  last year, when  a delegate  was
sent from Nebraska to Congress.  Nonte of the persons at Leaven worth were included in this number, and it is thought not more than
one halfof the white residentsvo:+           These are the only white
inhabitants in the country..':
. what manner do the Indians hold their claim?
The United States in a particular treaty express the consideration,
in behalf of which the grant is made.   The boundaries of each
tract are minutely described, and:many, if not all have been definitevy
run, and the landmarks set up.  Under the solemn promise of the pro.'
tection of the United States, these lands are ceded to them.  The  Indians on their part agree that, should they ever frsake their lands, or
their tribe become extinct, the title shall revert to'the United' States.
Tbhlat they wvill not sell any of the soil to a white man, and, in. case of'
sale, the Unired States shall be the buyers. The United States on her
part promises them her protectionforever, if they choose to remrnain;
and: if the Indians desire it, promises to execute to them a patent for
the same.   The United  States promnises, that she will! remove, by
militaryforce, any man, who shall atterml)t to settle, or slhall trespass
upon, these lands belonging to the Indians. 
But howU much of this Territarv do the Indiants thus -own?
The portions of land assigned to variouis trib)es differ greatly in size
--— limost all of them adjoin Missouri, and stretch back west so that
there is no western line that is cornmmon to anytwo (}fthem. At the lat.'
3idecg.  O0m., they run back 200 miles; a little further north, 20, then
(1, and further north tihere is a portion, touching the line of Missouri,
which is still unalloted to any tribe.  The Kanzas reservation isbhack
a -huandred miles from the'Missouiri line, and on the south side of the
Kanzas river. arid is some 25 miles square.'The Delaware, Shawnee, and Kickapoo reservations, are 60, 70, or 80 miles long, buit not
of a'great width.  Then some small tribes, and just south of the
mouth of the Platte, there are unassigned lands.  Perhaps the Indian
reservations will cover one.eighth of the Territory.   Their reserva
tions embrace the most desirable land, i. e., being hunters, they es.
pecially desired the timber, and, for this reason, we'find their reser"'
vations running west upon the Arkansas, and the Kanzas, while on
thei divides they -cting to the Misouii- river, and State bounda'y.
More anon.                Yours truly,                  LYNicEus.
'W 
LETTERS FOR TVE PEOPLE,
LETTER V.
Disposition of Indian Claims-Indians growing poorer-Shall they be removed-G-G
vernment by Chiefs-Indians defrauded-Allot Lands to Indians-Sell to AQuall
Settlers-Maine Liquor Law-Payments not to be in Money-Ca0 Settlers entes
the Territory now? 
Saint Louis, July 13th, 1S53.
MY DEAR FRIEND:  How should the Indian claims in Nebraska be'
disposed of?-This is a question of great perplexity, and of the
deepest importance to our government and to the Indians.  Foryears
the Government has been sustaining the Indians upon that ground,
— hbas provided that country for them, and given them to understand
that it was their last remove, and that they need go no flirther.  A
large part of their annuities have been paid in money.'rhe result of
this has been that the Indian   yotndulged in habits of laziness and
carelessness, while their money lasted, making no provision for the
future; and when it was gone, they took themselves to their savage
mnode of life-hunting, fishing, and living on the spontaneous productions of nature.
The lands once possessed by them were larger, or more valuable,
than those they-now possess;  and they'have been using up the difference between their old and new- homes in money, stock, ammunition, blankets, and food, which the Government from year to year is
paying them.   So that to-day they are in reality just as muich poorer
than they were then, as all the annuities amount to which they have
received from the United States, to the present time.  Would it be
right for the United States to encourage these poor Indians to make
another remove?  Shall they be induced to sell these lands, to take.
a smaller portion, still further in the west, for a new home; and
there devour, ten yvears to co,ne, the difference between their pre.
sent and new home, and at last find themselves more wretched, more
abject, more despised, and vastly poorer than they are to. day.
Besides this, where shall they go?  Where is the country for them
to live in? The United States have not yet extinguishd( the titles of
the original tribes further west. They must first prepare another
new place to transplant them. When that is done, then must the
hearts, once made to bleed, as they were torn from their fathers'
graves to come west of the Mississippi, be lacerated again, as they
take up their mournful mnarch towards the setting sun. Then maust
all the teaching, for which they have paid so much, be throwyn away;
all the advance made toward civilization be lost, and they thrust
back into barbarism; then must the few intelligent and industrious
among them either leave their nation, and become single citizens.of
the United States, or sacrifice the toil of years, to go with their frienids
into the wilderness, there to be pointed at, as monuments, that it is in
vain for the Indian to attempt to live or amass wealth like the white
malln.
The Indians also are reoQding from the shores of the Pacifio, and
24, 
ON THE PRESENT C,RlISTS$
are being crowded eastward; and the two approaching tides of aivil.
ization can as easily, and humanely sweep around these Indians, and
permit them to remain in their present homes, as to bear them oon.
stantly tossed upon their outmost waves, at last to be dashed to pieces,
and go down in the mad confluence of the waters.
There must be a stop made somewhere.   P From Maine to Louisiana, scarce an Indian remains east of the Mississippi.  The middle
meridian of the United States runs about 20 mniles west of Fort Leavenworth, and passes through more than half of,e, tribes of which
we have been speaking.  Why crowvd them further,?  Will an hiur
arrive whent rest can be more easily obtained for thenm?-when they
will be  nore numerous or influential?  No! now is the hour, atnd
their own country is the place for their salvation, at the hands of a
great, powerful, and noble nation.
About the year 1800, there were drawn up hypothetical statistical
tables, of the future population of'the United Stabtes.   Thea lastsoensus verified these estimates; the census of 1850 exceeding lhe estimate just 110,000.  That table, so correct for the past fifty years,
estimates the population of the United States in the year 1901 at
101,553,377.  In 1877  it will be 50,000,000.   Thu in 24 years,
there will be twice as dense a population as,,her,r -is now,.  Asnew
places always furnish great opportunities, to the young! and enterpri.sing, to obtain wealth and influence.  The next 24 years will see the
whole country settled from the Mississippi to the Pacific Ocean; and
where will the lndian's foot find a resting.place if he is again  removed?
Let him remain;-restrain every influence which wouild degrade
or destroy him where he is;-surrotund him with every incentive to
bodily and intellectual labor and advancement, and if he must f4all,
let hiind fall an honored relic of a noble race, amid the love and sorrow
of his greater and more blest white brethren.
There are at present, two things, which operate against the advancementof the Indians.
1. The government by Chiefs.-The chiefs are generally such by
birth, or distinguished subtlety, or physical power and bravery; not
by intelligence, or superior integrity.   To maintain their own influence, they oppose instruction, and the adoption of the habits of white
men.  Their position affords them opportunities of great gain. In all
bargains with the tribe, the chief, by virtue of his office, musthave
the largest share.  They are the veriest petty tyrants over their own
subjects, and there is scarce one whom  money will not buy, to be.
traythe interests of his tribe.  This evil greatly facilitates the other.
2. Defrcruding the Indians at the Government payments.-It is notorious throughout the West, that the IndiansS),art with much of their
money for scarcely the shadow of an equivalent.   They are per,
mitted to run up accounts before the annual payments;  the perezn
to whom  they become indebted oft en present the'mselves with ticir
books, in which the prices charged are exorbitant;: the owing Ind.ian
comes up for his money, the account is presented; uni   to tell
P-5 
LE'TTERS FO IK iiE'PEOPLE,
whether it is correct or not,:th'e Indialn ackn6wledges his indebtedness,
the'money is counted to the creditor, the Ii'dian taking the remainder,
~:ihere is any.   
But there is- another and a wors'e way than this.  An aecountl is
run up indiscriminately with a nation; then the' chiefs are induced-to
persuade the people to call it a national debt, and to execute a note for
the total amount, together with'a bonus for waiting for the payment.
This note is to be paid in a lump out of the national annuity, before it
is individually parcelled.  It. is generally.elieved that, in these trans actions, there has been the greatest'dishonesty. It was currently reported in this city laist wirnter, that, at the last payment, one firm in
Western Missouri brought in an orderton one tribe, for $60,000 which
was cashed, although it left a part of the tribe, in alrnmost a starving
condition; and yet, you can not persuade business men here, that they
were entitled to more than One-third that amount.
But what is the.pecuniary aspect of their removal? The Indians
have made some-advance, and' while the chiefs have maintained their
influence over a majority, of almost every tribes, there a're some, who
have attended to education, and agriculture.   The wild, reckless,.
improvident part, as their annuities are drawing to an end, unu'sed'
to labor, unlearned to business, would sell out again, and retreat to
the wilderness.  Bu't'the better portion, who have built houtises, and
own farms, some of them worth $25. per acre, wish to remain. The
tribes are begining to learn the value of improvemrnents, and to esti.
mate the value of land by that in Missouri.    The  eagerness, also,
manifested  by the whites to obtain their country, has aroused  themt
to consider its value:
The result is, that'some of the tribes would prefer not to sell'their
lands to the Government' at all, but themselves divide themn into.
farms, and sell them toasctual settlers, at the best rates.  Other tribes
would be glad to sell a; portion of their land, and retain the re.
mainde.r.
The average price which Government has paid for Indian lands,
is about 26 cents per acre.  Some of these Indian reservations wou Id
iot pay the Government any thing for buying.  But it is probable
that the Government can not get an acre less than 50 cents in any
tribe. In case Government should attempt the purclhase of'the whole
of the land, the improvements, and the unwvillingness of the Indians
in soke cases to remove, would bring their lands above  the govern.
ment pricefor its own lands, and it could not buy.  The United States
will either be obliged to pay the Indians their price, or do without it.
It will be economy, on the part of the Government, never to attempt
their removal.
The true policy of our government would be this:  To act only  as
guardian for the Indians, in their disposal of their own  lands.   To
accomplish this, purchase their land at a fair valuation, reservilng to
each' male, in each nation, a quarter-section of land; & if they choose
to buy more let them buy it, at the same  price they' sell it to the
ibite'd States.
di#
t 
ON TrfE PREENT I:IcSRS. i
-Each Indian should be made tb select his own quartersection; atd
in cases of extreme minority, let the parent or natural guardian, se'leot for the child.  This,gives to each Indian the opportunity  to retain, or buy in, all his individual improvemients, a-id retains to each
nation all ifs buildings;, dand the advance it has rnmade in civilization;
and by thus leaving the unoccupied lan-ds, bring them at a reason able price to the Governrment, to be sold at governtnent pricestfo white
settlers...
The tracts of land thus reserved to each  individual, should be
made inalienable and untransferablefor him and his heirs for the period
of  15 years  and in case any family should become extinct, let the
land be sold and the proceeds go into the moneys held for the benefit
of the tribe.  This is necessary, that the Indian should not, through
his own laziness, disaffection, or ignorance, or by the  chicanery or
injustice of others, dispose of his lands;, and hIis fami'ily be left with.
out a home.   A patent should be issued for each particular quartersection, to the person to whom it properly belongs, and whether he
occupies it or not, should be reserved for him and his heirs until the
15 years  have passed,  when  he can retain or dispose of it as
he pleases.
Let the remainder of the co'untry be sold, n'ot to speculators, but
to actual settlers.  The whites would, inna few  months, vastly outnumber the Indians.  An Indian can and will work  for money, as
well as a white man; there will be among thenew comers, a great
demand for laborers; so that no Indian need, or can starve among
them; and they will learn how to labor, and become acquainted with
practical agriculture.  The Indians, also, will be stimulated to cul.tivate their own lands, by the onward progress of those around them,
and the natural preference to labor for one's sel'f, rather than for
another. 
The proceeds of the lands, riot contained in the above.mentioned
reservations, should not be paid to the Indians-in money; it should
all be funded, and the annual interest should be exp)ended in such a
manner as to advance their civilization and interests, and in such a
way, that they can not squander it.  Let a certainnumber of houses
be erected on their lands annually, worth from two to four hundred
dollars each; furnish them plows and implements of labor;  admit
them as citizens of the United States.  Especially give their children
the advantage of common-school system, which should be projected
for all the State, upon a basis so broad, that they shall be absolutely
free;  and furnish them particular facilities for attendance upon
these schools.
There is one,point further, of absolute necessity.    Let Congress
pass theMaineLiquor Law,as aneternal ordinance upon its admission.
The Maine Liquor Law has carried away imuch glory  ind praises,
which does not rightfully belong to it.  The  NebrasIka law, whiph:
has been in rigorous operation for many years, makes the selling,9:~
liquor to the Indians a punishable offence, and confiscation of liqotrQ
follows the act.  Tbe fire,'water must be kept from the,Indiaan or bhe!
4
2t - 
ILETTERS FOR THIE PEOPLE,
is ruined; and unless congress passes a law for the whole territory,
it will be impossible to discrimtninate between  the Indian and  any
other person in the traffic.   Congress  has for years exercised  th
power to forbid any one to sell to the Indians in,t9xicating drinks
She is sworn to protect- and bless them, and if it is the only life for
these nations, that i be kept away, Congress has the right,  and
every, thing just and humane demrands, that it be an eternal statute
of the Territory and State; and whoever moves in there will do so
under the provision, and subject to it; and it never can be anything r
but a blessing to the State.
Utider'these circumstances, if a few of the savage or dissolute Indians shall forsake their houses, to wander away and perish, or be.
comne incorporated with the wil d tribes, let them go! it is fari better
thus, than to endanger the existence and prosperity of the wlhole tribe.
Our govetlment is not to blanme for the  great growth ilnd prosperity
of our nation, nor for her enterprise and love of progress; but it
will be to blarme, if it permits the avarice  or cupidity of any set of
men to produce measures, which shall end in the total degradation
and ruin of the red men of America.
The Indians should remain where they are,-should have the full
rights of citizenship,-should  be  protected from the presence and
temnl)tations of "fire-.water,"-shlould have inalienable homeosleads,should be surroundte( by the whijsas, to feel the impulse of the energy,
of the encircling Saxon spirit, —to see its modes of agricultural action; to have especial access to its sources of intellectual elevation.
Such external pressure will always make free men bestir themselves.
Our nation has long acted on the belief, "they seem destined to a
slow but sure extinction "- that they could not live near, or with
the whites.  And repeatedly, when they were just giving the lie to
all such theories and forebodings, they have been seized and  re.
moved least they might show themnselves noble men, and capable of
refinement, intelligence, and piety.
Should these Indians refuse, both to remove  and sell, the United
States, by her treaties is bound, by military force, to preserve their
present territory in its full extent, intact from the white man, so
long as one representation in each tribe shall remain to demand it.
When, then, their right is so clear, their title so firm, let us seek to
continue to them so much as they can personally use; and surrounding them with joined hands, seek to make them rise, and prosper, as
our country rises higher and higher in honor, wealth, and stability.
Their blood beats proudly to-day, in the veins of some of America's
noblest sons, and we must not be ashamed of their companionship
and friendship.
But can not settlers enter that Territory now?  That they can not go
into the sections owned by the Indians, who have been localed there by the
Government, there can be no doubt.  White men, by the treaties, have
the right of passing through these districts; but the United States warrants to the Indians that they will remove by force every white man who
shall attempt to settle there, otherwise than according to the acts whicb
regulate the intercourse of citizens with the lndians.
0
29 
ON THE PRESENT CRISIS.
In reference, however, to the remainder of the territory, not assigned
to particular tribes, the question is totally different.  In other portions of
the United States the precedent has been, to let settlers enter any lands
under the jurisdiction of the U.S., where there were no treaties containing
definitive grants to particular tribes. Sucht has been the case in California,
in Utah, in New Mexico, in Minnesota, in Oregon, and in every State in
the Union, since Daniel Boone entered the wilds of Kentucky.    If the
original Indians would tolerate the pioneer, the United States would perinit him to go where he pleased, arnd afterwards would, as the coutry settled, purchase of the [udians, have them  surveyed,, and then have the
occupants take out their regular land patents.    In the Territory of Nebraska, the United States have purchased the ground, first of France, then
from the Pawnees, Kanzas, and other original tribes.  The title is all clear,
and rests in the United States. Thley have, as we have seen, given warrantee deeds or titles to certain portions of this territory, to particular ln(lian tibes. The remainder evidently belongs to the Government., because,
in the various treaties with the Indian tribes, it is especially stipulated by
the United States that tihe grounds n)t assigned to particular tribes4 "slhit
be a lhunting-ground, ctfnamon to the friendly Indians," "during t-e-.,leas,
ure of the President of the United States!" Thus the word of the President, cati remove from the unassigned part of the Tertitory the last incumbrance or bar to white settlers; which is but a sufferance of comrn.
mon occupation, for purposes of hunting.
How, without a speciak acl t  of Congress, can citizens of the United
States be excluded tfrom tiis Territory? Should white settlers occupy
those unassigned lands, the law regulating intercourse with the Indians
will apply to them, as much as they now do to the inhabitants of Missouri.
Are not the individuals composing the United States,  the actual  owners
of the land to which the nation has an unincumbered title.
But wuat are the absolute facts respecting it? Thtie army thlreatens the
forcible expulsion of any settler on the Territory.   Whether the offilers
deem this the teachingof their general Indian instructions, or have special
orders therefor, from the Governrmnt, is unknown.
The opinion of but two distinguished tnen have been made public upon
this subject.  Col.-'Benton has just published a letter, in reply to a letter
of some gentlemen of Jefferson City, who ask this question.   Can we go
there to settle now? Col. Benton sttys any one now has an absolute right,
to enter and settle in that portion of the Territory which has not been assigned to the Indians.   He advises men to go, and asserts that  he has
closely examined  the action of the Government in reference to this Territory, and that there is nothing in the statutes to bar their entrance,
On the other hand Senator Atchison, a man of far less erudition, acceitacy, and ability, insists that settlers have no right to enter the Territbiy,
and should be expelled by military force if thley attempt it.
Under the circumstances, it seems to tne, that it would  be unwise for
the settlers to enter, before permission is granted by the general Government, as it might embarrass the action of the Administration, in preparingthe Territory for occupation, and hinder the healthy growth of the
couintry rather than aid it.
At the same time, I believe it the duty of the President to notify the Indians, that the whites, from henceforth, have a right to settle any where on
the common hunting-grounds, and are not to be molested, nor in turn are
to molest the Indians. Also to notify white settlers, that the portionaof'  ebraska which belongs to the United States is open for occupation, and
29 
Ll RS SF.,OPR THEE PEOV-",
that as soon as possible, the Indian reservations shouIld,e surveyed, portior.ns secured to;the Indians, and the remainder purchased by the Govern
aent atnd resold to settlers.
More aoont.                        Yours truly,                LY,cEUs.
-o    t LETTER VI.
Reasons for Speedy Organization of Nebraska Territory-Protection to Life and
Property-Economy in Army Expenses —New, Post-New  Military Road-Six
Routes proposed for Pacific Railroad-Bridger's Pass-Middl      e Line of Population
-Estimate of Time to build the Roa d.
:  -   -a        ~~Saint Louis, July o7th, 1853.
MY DEAR FRIEND:  T1here are many and weighty reasons why Nebras
ka: Territoryshould be instantly organized.: The too rapid settlement of
a country is deleterious to the educational and mroral interests of a people;
it is well that population should not be too long pent up, and then permitted to burst suddenly upon a new country; it is better that it should be
somewhat slowly settled, and that the found(lationsof society should become
fixed and sobered, in order that the superstructure may be solid and beautiftfl.: Already has the tide in that direction been held back too long;  it
is rising higher and higher, and the miore impetuous will be the flood, the
longer it is restrained.
The United  States, should  furnish protection' for the property and lit
.of her citizens. within ier own borders.: T-there is yearly an inmense immigration from the older States to those on the Pacific Ocean.  This imnmigration passes throughl Nebraska Territorv, some  years  amounting  to
more than 80,000 persons. Once beyond the Missouri river, they can obtain
no provisiorns, shelter, Air care in sickness, until they reach the Salt Lake,
a distance of 1,/20  miiies. If this country was once thrown operan, the route
would be immediately settled to the Salt Lake; thus afflording ample protection against the recurrence of the scenesof 1850, and saving thousands
from the most distressing deaths, from exposure and starvation.
The Governmentshould advance, and not retard th/e p?osperity of the
people.  \Were this Territory organized, not only would the emigrant receive protection and benefit fiom the settlers. but the settlers would receve a liberal reward tfor their services; and the journey being stripped of
more than half its: dangers, the. immigration would  far tore than be
doubled.
'Economy in the support of the Army requires it.-At the last session of
Congress. an appropriation of $60,000 was made for the building of a new
o,st in the Territory; a post capable of accommodating about 1,000 officers and soldiers. This new post is situated 140 miles west of Fort Lea,venworth, among the branches of the Kanzas.  [See map.]   As it is built
to a greatextetit by the labor of soldiers; and as all the materials belong
to the government, the appropriation is considered as equivalent to about
$150,000 worth of buildings,.and will probably be the best and most coim oodio)us post in tlhe United States.
$11,000 were also appropriated  for the new military road from Fort
Leavenworth tothe new post.  The building of this road and post is. being pressed with i'thie utmost energy,.arid the post is exp)ected( to be in order
o receive a'part of the garrisonthis coming fall.  Now all the grain and
provisions for the army, unless raised in the. Territory, must be brought
from Missouri to Leavenworth, and from  Leavenworth to thie new po8t.
30
. i 41 
ON THE PRESENT CR S.S
The opening of Nebraska would instantly line this pew,'oad, and a eeilonh around the new post, with go6d  industrious farmers, and every miile
oftransportation which can be saved'upon: such vast quantities of domestic supplies, will be a great saving in our armny expenses.
It will especially facilittate the buildingof the great Pacific Railvay.
Trhe fact that a railway is to be built connecting the Atlantic:and Pacific States, is not a matter of question; the only inquiry now agitated is,
Where shall the line run?  
As might be expected, there are extremes'to.this question as well asevery other.  One route proposed is in a region of alnmst perpetual snow
another one from New Orleans, or a point on the Gulf of Mexico, located
where four months in the year yellow fever is rampant against life, especially the life of men of colder climates; and where the miasmatic malarias forbid nmen out after sundown.  Another route is proposed from council Bluffs through the Soulh Pass.  Another from Memphis to Santa Fe,
and thence to San Francisco. Another from St.Joseph, by the South Pass.
Another from Kanzas, through Fremont's undiscovered  pass, and New
Mexico.  Thus there are sixroads proposed,.. three north and three south.
Or three that go by the South Pass, and three that go by New Mexico.
Now the extrenie north and south routes are so impracticable on account
of the poverty of the countries through which they pass, a poverty not only of inhabitants but.even of fertility; they are so far removed
from the places and the lines which demand the erection of the road, that
it is useless to talk of them as routes for a national road.  They are but
local, sectional enterprises, begging for the national adoption.
San Francisco is in Lat. N. 38 deg.  The South Pass is 42deg. 20min.
N.L.  Santa Fe is 35deg. N.L.  So that the differenceberween the two
points is about 375 miles.  The Salt Lake City is in Lat. N. 40deg. 1-5m.
and is the great restingg-place on the journey to California and Oregon.  If
the railroad shlall run through the South Pass, as it beads south again to- 
wards California, it will run through,the capital of Utah;  but this route
through the South Pass bends far north:of:the line of 38deg. N.L.; Bridgir's Pass is about 40 deg.;. Leavenworth, 39deg. 30min.  [See map.]
There has been, within the past year, published by authority of Congress, a report of Captain Stansbury,  U. S. Engineer, deputed to survey
the Great Salt Lake Basin, in which he describes,a new pass through the
Rocky Mountains. through which he returned with his party.  This pass
is upon the direct line from Fort Leavenworth to San Francisco.  The
pass is called " Bridger's Pass."  This line would r.n, through the -most
fertile, level, aud beautiful country,: that exists between the Western States
and California. 
The Memphis road lies too far south, and the Council Bluffs road too
far north. In this great, question, as the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico
furnish to the country, within 5Q00 miles of them, great facilities to dispose
of their productions, and to reap the advantages of commerce; therefore,
if any, portion of the country should have the benefiteof the road, it should
be that remote from the sea-board, where the difficulties of disposing of
produce are great, as regards expense of transportation, time, and danger.
The older States have already supplied themselves with railroads, to such
an extent, that this has been in a measure overcome; but the growth of the
north-western part of our country is so rapid and  tremendous, that it
must have new outlets for its products.  Produce now passes by danrgerous navigation, 2,000 miles, to reach the Atlantic, or the Gulfof Mexico;
while, were the railroad built, fairly w here it belongs, in a centrnl:positio,
tl 
L tTElRS' FOR THE PEOPLE,
they cotiuldby the same distance reach the,Pacific Ocean.   All the importation9s from China, California,'and the'Est Indies, of which they make
use, make circuits'of from 5 to 20 thousand miles to reach themn, when
by the Pacific railroad, they could comein from 2 to 8 thousand'miles.
'Now, the true linefor the road is that which will give accommodation to
the greatest number of citizens, andfacilitate the purposes of conmmerce for
the greatest amount-of territory and productions.
Let us divide the United States into three portions, as follows:  Let
Maine,  -New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachiusetts. Rhode Island, Con*necticut,;New York, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota, coustitute the North.
Let New Jersey, Pennsylvania. Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri,
constitute the Middle.  [See map.]
L-et 5Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina,
Georgiai Alabarnma  Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, Tennessee,
Kentucky, and the District of Columbia, the South, and we arrive at the
following total result,-that:there are in the
.6,734,215
7,146,515
13,880,730
6,752,061
free pefsons. 
Now, we can only count free persons, when we talk of a railroad, as-a
means of travel.  Slades have no uge-for-the cars; railroads, having free
-ternini are bad'things forblack; countries.  The slaves are needed  at
-mevon the plantations, and we must leave them out of the calculation
of.passengers needing a road.
From this view4 there are two persons in the -North toonein the Souh,
who would have occasion to travel on  the road, and who are personally
interested in it; and wd, see that, were the line from the Atlantic to the
Pacific to divide the peeple of the United- States into two equal parts, it
should run through the center of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indianl, Illinois, and cross,tissouri, noath of the Missouri river.
But this is not the exact stale of th"e case, as it in reality exists.   A'tabutale view of the increase of free population shtows to us, that what we have
denominated in ouridivision as thIe North has outstripped' the South, in
population. Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota, are yet but infants among
the sisterhood of States; but are destined,- every year, to become more
populous and important.  T'he. Middle also: of the Union is growing faster
than the South, so that the line is every hour being drawn to the north of
the Center of Pennsylvania.
DDECADE.      North.      Middle.        South.
1800        385,565       231,914      478,276
1810        600,151       461,853       524,365
1820        595,581       825,741       822,343
1830        863,331     1,068,000       616,130
1840       1,045,077    1,915,667       796,135
1850    /1,784,148    2,061,380    1,362,931
5,273,853    6,570,562    4,600,180
t.  -  $. V2,01,801,629:
Trhe above table shows the increase of free population, in each decade
immediately preceding  the year written.   That the line we have in
32
Southi 
ON THE PRESENT CRISIS.
dicated, or one north of it, is the great railroad district of the United States,
is evident from the chains of road which are running parallel from the
Atlantic to the Mississippi.   There is a line which starts from Boston,
runs through Albany, crosses Niagara Falls; on Jan. 16th, 1864, to be
finished to Detroit; frorn Detroit, it now runs through Miclhigan, Northerr Indiana, Chicago, Aurora, Galesburgh, Quincy; crossing the Mississippi, it unites withl the Hannribal and Si. Joseph railroad, which is to be
finished to Nebraska, in 1835.  A branch from Galesburgh will also cross
the Mississippi at Burlington, to unite with the Southern Iowa Railroad,
to the Missouri river.  Another road starts from New York  city, passes
through Dunkirk, Cleveland(l, Toledo, Chicago, Lasalle, Rock Island, to
cross the Mississippi at Davenport, and connect with the Iowa Central
Railroad, from Davenport to Council Bluffs. [See map.]
From Chicago, connecting with'the two roads already mentioned, another runs to R,ockford and (xalena, and crosses the Mississippi at Dubuque, to join the Iowa Northern Railroad. A splendid road is being run,
from St. Louis to Cleveland direct; from Cleveland to Columbus, one is
in operation.   From  Columbus, one is building to Indianopolis; from
there, to Springfield; from there, one is completed to Alton, to connect
with the Missouri River Railroad.  There is also a road firom Springfield
to Quincy, to meet the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad.
From Baltimore and Philadelphia, roads run to Pittsburgh, to Columbus, to Cincinnati   From Cincinnati, one is building to St. Louis; anod
from St. Louis, 50 miles are finished on the line to Kanzas.  The first
road thiat will reach the Missouri river will be the Hannibal and St. Joseph
road.  It is the shortest in miles, the most even in grade, the most fertile
in soil, and the one which, considering its eastern connections, will probably pay the best. [ have no fear for this city, but that she will grow to
be e,lual to any island city in the nation, in size and wealth, but we mnay
not get the road atfter all.  The North and Middle of the Union can not
be made to go down to Tennessee, to ride or send freight, to California;
aind, perhaps, we may not get it even here. Let it go where right demands
it should go.  It can not go so far north but that,  by our North Western
roads. we can turn down to us all that will properlyv belong to us, and cart
sead west all we desire.
Fort Leavenworth lies just upon  the Great Railroad line, through the
Middle!States.  If thle Government would make Leavenworth the eastern
terninaus of the road, and run it due west, on the beautiful divide between
the waters of the Kanzas and Platte, which stretches west for 500 miles,
with the greatest evenness and beauty; thence through Bridger's Pass to
the Salt Lake, then to San Fralcisco, or the borders of California-were
L,avenworth the terminus, it could cross the Missouri, to unite with the
projected road, on the north side of the Missouri river through the river
counties.
Fort Leavenworth is situated, to a [nile,just half way between Kanzas
and St. Josepht —the termrnini of the two roads, which will first reach the
Nebraska Territory.  R'oads could b, run, from each of these points to
a place some fifty mfniles back from Leavenworth; here would spring up
a large city, and these roads could have an equal chance for the business
of the main road.  Let the roads, from the west side of Arkansas and the
one from Council Bluffs, thlen, be run so as to meet the trunk, 250 or 300
iriles west of Leavenworth; and here let another large city spring up,
and give tile North and the South an equal chance at the business.  This
plan also would develope Nebraska to the greatest  possible extent, and
C
a..
33 
LETTERS FOR TlTHE PEOPLE,
would. instantly produce  a heavy  way-travel,  on these  roads.   This
road can be built cheaper and better than any other.   It is from one t'o
two hundred miles shorter than either of the other routes, and lies through
a more beautiful and fertile country than any other; and what if it does
cost more!  A road built where it is needed, is in reality  chleapl)er, tIhan
one built at less expense where it will not be used as tiuch.
Two bids have been offered to Congress, to build the road front the Missouri to San Francisco infive years, giving penal bonds for its completion
at the specified time.   We argue, that Neb)raska should be speedily admitted, to facilitate this wvork.  Let us briefly make  a calculation, showing with what rapidity this work must be pushled forward, in order to accomrplislt it, accordtng to the contracts.  It must  be built il  this rapid
manner, for the amount invested can not be permitted to lie idle, tand the
only thing, which should limit the number of hands and the pressing of the
work, should be that the capacity of  the road to bring materials was fully
exhausted.
In each year are 365 days; deduct 65 d(lays for Sabbaths and hollidays,
and 300 remain.  For storims, wipter, sickness, perhaps a sickly season,
deduct 100, and 200'remain; and that is a large average for eac. h of the
five years.  In five years, there   ill be 1000 working days; and there are
from 1800 to 2000 miles of road to be built, i. e., two miles must.be c,ommenced and finished each day, between sunrise and sunset.   But when we
remember some of this road is to be bridged, miles of it to be tunnelled,
and all the timber and iron to be carried over the road itself, as fast as it
is built, as well as the carrying of fuel'to then various engine stations, and
food for the workmen, and anitnals; we can see that, at the eastern endait Leavenworth-on those level and  beautiful  prairies-it must be built
with vastly greater rapidity, than at a thoutsand(i miles further west.  So,
that when it starts from the Llissouri river, it mnst  proceed with a movezient equal to more than five nmiles of completed road every day thie hands
work.
The country knows nothingi of the cost of transportation, on the western,plains.  It costs the Urtted States' Government, as high as 1 cents
per pound to carry white beans, or flour to tire army in New Mexico.Labor is high, animtals are high, the country is wild, and such services
cost money. Now, for two or three hundred miles ahead of tihe finished
railroad, must all food, and utensils, and timbers, and iron, and the very
corn for the horses, be carried by teams, unless the settlement of tite Territory is granted immnediately.   Now, the whole nation has a dee!) interest
pi the building of this road(l, and in its immediate construction. The body
politic, if it is located through its center, nust feel the stimulus to its remotest corner.  California needs, and demands the road, while itsopening
would equalize. to a great extent, the prices of mercbandize6mrining itself
could be conducted at so much less expense, that more persons would engage in it, and the armount of actual gold vould be greatly increased. The
legitimate commterce, which would follow from being connected with the
center of the Uliotl, would ten timtes counterbalance the depreciation of
fictitious prices of real estate and properly.  The trade of China, Japan,
and the East Indies, which would pass across our continent, would naturally seek our own ships, altd our marine influelce, both upon the Atlantic
and Pacific, would be greatly increased.   The settlement and stocking of
Oregon and California would go forward with surprising strides. This
year, the population of the United States will increase 758,505; in 1854,
781,f260; s) that every two years, we can furnish nearly a million to open
aad possess these countries, and yet gain half a mrnilliol at home 
34 
ON T'HE PRESENT CRISIS.
WVe Abave seen the position, occupied by ttie population east of Nebras ka Territory.   Let us, for a little, examinethe c,untrywest of it.  While
Texas s i on the sotuth, thiere is a fiie terrilorial country to counterbalance
it,on th e north of Nebraska,  and  adjoiningMinnesota.  Going further
west, we come to New Mexico on the south.; north of this lies the Terri tory of Utah, whose north bou.ndary is the line of 42deg. N. L.,-the line
we ask for Nebraska.  North of' Utah, to balance off New Mexico, lies
the vast fertile basin of the Yellow Stone.  Next west, comes California;
North California, west of Utah; South California, west, of New Mexico;
and Oregon, west of the Yellow Stone Territory.   Now, the lines of ter ritory, and population, and equitable location, demand that this road shall
not go through.New Mexico, but through Utah.
Any intelligent man, who  will sit down and take his map, and study
the increase of population, and the directions in which energy and en terpl)rise are flowing, will find that, in less than ten years, there will be a
population, north of Bridger's Pass, equal to three times that below it.
The facts at present are these.   New Mexico has a population.of some
60,000 persons,-Indians, Half-Breeds, Spaniards, and Americans. The
Territory north of Utah is full of original American Indians, amounting
to probably 40,000, who are as well quialified fot citizenship, ias three fourths of the New Mexicans.   Between these two countries  lies Utah,
whose north boundary, (42deg,) runs through the South Pass, and which
also has within its center, Bridger's Pass.  This country has a population
of some 25,000, almost all fiom the United States, working people, having
arnongthem fine mechanics and artists.  When we come to the western roost tier, we reach the State of California.  Here, the great bull; of the
population lies in the northi-tihe gold region- lying entirery to tbenorth
of San Francisco.  The southern part is less desirable, is thinly peopled.
The dividing line between Califoirnia and Oregon is the line of42deg, N.
L.,-the same with Utah and Nebraska.  Oregon is rapidly settling, and
already niust have a population of from 50,000 to 60,000.  Where, then,
ought the Pacific Railroad to run, as regards the future west? Yes, even
the present west of our country.
LYNCEUS.
LETTER VII.
shall the Pacific Road start from Kanzas?-Belton's Route  one-sided-Should have
a way-travel of its own-How shall Nebraska be admitted?-Missouri Compromise
-Its Nature,Violation-Platte Purchase-S ize-Character-Slaves-iThe Missouri
Compromise intended as eternal-Is the Platte Purchase Slave, or Free-Soil?
Saint Louis, Aug. 10!h, 1853.
My DEAR FRI.END: Ought the Pacific Railroad to start, from the mouth of 
the Kanzas? as Col.Benton urges-a point lower -than thewbole States of
Pennsylvania and New Jersey, whereit has little population for 400 miles
south-east of it, and no country to support it; to run for a while hugging
the Kanzas valley, to keep off the divide between the Katizas and the Arkansas, which is not more than half. as fertile as that between the Kansas
and the Platte; thence, to bear south-west until you reach the latitude of
Metmphis,-a latitude of the south whichi enjoys the fullest blessing of the
Yours.truly, 
LETTERS FOR THE PEOPLE,
vicinage of the Gulf of Mexico; thence, to bear through Southern California to San Francisco.
The advocacy of this route, by Col. Benton, is a strange and unlookedfor event, with many thinking men.   We all know the determination of
some men to carry out, in. spite of argument and'persuasion, their own
first preconceived notion, however unwise.  We know the vast infuence,
which local attadhments and feelings exercise over our efforts and plans.
We know how stronglymen work to purchase the good will of ot hers, or to
allay the anger of the provoked, or overcome the hatted of enemies. We
know also how partial men are to their own, whether human or material,
and how all-powerful self is in all things.
The course of Col. Benton is so away from advocating a bold national
poliey and location, that the causes for his course have been closely questioned, and the opinion is gaining extensive ground, and frotn many points
is finding utterance, that,Col. Benton is acting a part not national, but personally duplex,-a half way compromise, seeking by it for the favor of the
south, and the forbearance of the north.  To start it in free Territory. and
let it run so far'south, that it shall benefit almost only the slave States.
To win for himself the credit and glory,of being the great mover and father of this particular compromise of routes.  Ool. Fremont's influence is
waning with the American people. Col. Benton has always been associated with him, and shared his honors.  And,now, Mr. Benton would fain
magnify Fremont, and through him, himself, by running the road through 
Frernont's attempted pass.
Col. Fremont, also, has large landed estates in California, which, so far
as public information goes, are situated south-east of San FranciSco, so that
the new route will pass near, or directly through them.
Well may wvebelieve; that were there in Congress a [nan of Col. Benton's abilities and personal influence, with a son-in law in the same body,
with the same in(ivizdual inducements for action, in this matter, that he
could put forth, a far clearer, stronger, more truthful, and more national
appeal and argument for the road, either through Bridgers' Pass, or the
South Pass, than Col. Benton either has, or can, for the New Mexican
road.
The route recommended by Col. Benton, is a one-sided affair.  It runs
to the center of our newest acquisitions, leaving Oregon without the least
hope of connection with the United States; neglecting Utah, slighting
Nebraska, and bearing away 1,500 miles from the central portions of the)
.Missouri and Yellotw Stone Ter'ritories,-a policy to have this road built
by national expense,-presently to have an application to Congress, to
build a branch of three or fourhundred miles, to the western side of Arkansas.  The whole south, then, to take stock in a road, from- Memphis
across Arkansas, that State being too poor to build, or to support it. Thus,
the south would have two termini,-St. Louis and Memphis, —'and every
thing that went north, or came from California, would be obliged( to go from
or come to those cities, almost at right angles, instead of coming to the
north from the west direct, as they ought, since she is the builder and actual supporter of the road. 
It does seem evident that the road ought to start from Fort Leavenworth.  Fort Leavenworth has been a government establish ment for some
30 years, and is the great central depot for supplying all the.United States'
forts, in the west, witth provisions, ammunition, and men.  It holds constant coimmunication with Fort Kearney, Iaramie, Hall, Atkinson, and
Gibson, and also with the Salt Lake and Santa Fe. It is on the west side
3,6 
ON THE FPRESENT 0RISIS.
of the- Missouri  river, in the Nebraskas Terrtory, 30 mniles' above the
mouth of the Kanzas, and 32 miles below St. Joseph. There is the finest
levee on the vh-ole Missouri river.  It is a bauitiful'Site for a large and
m-goificent city.  TheMtisS'ouri iver boats ecould bring iron, and timber,
anad tools, from St. Louis, aid the H-nnibal and St. Joseph Railroad cuti
keep two steamers busy, dropping down with  loads, fromn St. Jose)bh to
Fort tea'venWorth.  The'Governin'nt owb' there nine square miles, upon
which to- tote iron, or timber, as'it ti  ay be received.  Hundreds of tbousands of dollars have been already invested there, atid a the troops shall
'be'drawn off to the new post, the large ironand twoodhos, already theie,
and lthe buildings which would be vacated, could firnish shops for the atcommodatian of more than a thousand workers in iron and wood, wh6
eoild frame buildings, tanks, bridges, &;c., and send theireon to the workmen a thousand miles west.
This route will *ot, as does Col. Benton's, run through a- narrow  bottom land, thus defeating the settlement Of broad prairie lands.  But it gb
runs, that, commencing in the prairie, men will put up temporary wi re
fenceS, and start theit hedges immediately, and overcome the Want of timber by (tie application of science to its production.
The railroad should run so that it shall have a heavy way-travel of its
own, through a country capableofdense settlement.  It should run sothat
branches canr pass off in each direction, to accommodate.[he,hole territory of ourcountry.
This is the true'theory.' Settle the first  o:ad in the cente.r, and' let
branches, at nearly right angles, go off to diferent districtS.  At the nfD8
of these branches, wealth, influence, and population, will culmninate, and,
in time, these points will desire roads to connect them; and thus will arise
otherparallel rodds, rtlunning across this country to the Pacific.
This road, having received the Cou~ncil Bluffs' and Memphis' branches,
should pass on sosme two bun,dred miles, when  a branch should turn di'rectly north, into the basin of the Yellow Stone.   In that country, is a
climate unsurpassed for evenness of temnperature, purity of air, and general healthfulness, by any country in the world; while its richness and
great beauty will make it the choice of the whole western half of the Republic.  Passing tihrougbh the Rocky mountains, a road should turn directly south to Santa Fe.  Two hundred miles beyond the Spalt Lake,  a
brarch should turn directly north-west into Oregon; while the road should
either pass through the north of the Sierra Nevada mountains, or around
them, to San Francisco on the south-west.
In closing this subject. I would  again refer to the portion of Nebraska
between the Platte and Kanzas, coinriencing  at Fort  Leavenworth. —
When we leave the Allegany mountains, and descend into Ohio, we strike
a mnost fertile strip of country, embracing the Miami  valley. It crosses thie
center of the State of Indiana, containing the Shawnee Prairie.  In Illiijois, it takes the center of the State; embracing Sangamon county, and a
lhundred miles of country north, and the whole of the Great Prairie.
This strip has, in the same latitude, a corresponding strip west of the Mississippi river.  That strip embraces ad  Missouri north of the river, and a
strip across southern Iowa.  Beyontd thle Missouri river, this same fertile
belt continues, Kying between the Platte and Kanzas, and extending to their
headv-waters, gradually, however,. after 300 miles, becoming inferior a  it
approaches the Rocky mountains.   This natural strip of rich fertile soil ils
indicative by nature. as the line, and the only proper line, for the Grtl
Railway to hle Paci/c
37 
LE —,T q.THE  fiFPP.,LE,
~B    how shall this Nebraska' be 4a,4niLtd,,as rTg awds Slav4ry Withi-n"her
timits?.:.    r  a  _''i'
Perhaps ~~au jns4notly reply,.,', There is no needto ask thatqestion 
The matter is settled already,by the Missoui Gompromise!"     t,deed?  [t were  truly a: happy thing, if it were, thus settled., Btwhat.
said the Miisso,ri Compromise?
"SSEC..&XAd be it further enacted,'that ini all"that territory, ceded by
Franc   tothe I.Jaited States, under thy  name.of Louisiana, which li'
north of 36deg.  0tn. north latitude, not included within the  litmits of te
State contemplaled by this, act, eqvery and  involuntary servitude, other-'
wise than in the punishment of crimes, w.here of the parties shall liave been
duly convicted sahll be and hereby is.,s foreoer prohibited..  
" "Provided always, tha,,any pes         otn o.ecaping jrto the samne, frrwn-whom
labor or service is lawfully claimed, in any State.,or Territory of the,Unite.d States, such fugitive.may be: lawfully reclaimed, and,conveyed to the
person, claiming his or her labq  or service, as aforesaid.".
"Approved. March 6th, 1820."'. 
\Vell, is not Nebraska, as we, have deftined its bounds, a  part of,that
Territory, ceded by France.trnder the name of Louisina?   Is it not
ort of 36deg. 30m., N. L.?  Is it not without the lirnit  f   e State of
Missouri?  We answer, Yes, to alt these inquiries.?  Why,  thei',when
the enactmnent is' SO plain, and Nebraska is so evidently the country described in the act, why do we need any thing further?  1 answer,, Ie~ause
it is a question, (ortth the thought of every American,) whether thie Missouri Compromise Leaf  ns,              anyth  aid, if it does, it is again a questio'n,
w helh+rit-can be preserv,d fromn the violation oflawlesss and'wicked men
and"hMe question comes up, whether the State of Missouri has not vitiated
her constitution, by'her action in reference to this subjewt.
This whole subject will readily be understood, when we remark, that
the boundary of Missouri, when she was admitted to the Union-the boundary conterrplated when the'Missouri Conmpromise was  passed,-was a
straight line from the south-west corner'f the S-tate, rnunning through the
mnouth of the Kanzas,-and extending north to the- present line betwveen
Iowa and        Missouri.' The  Missouri river. bearing fromi the Kanzas to the
west of north, left a strip of land on the east of Missouri  river; and between said river and the western boundary of the State, it is 104 miles,
from north to south; and, at the northern end, 60 miles wide, at thesouth,
it came to a point. This large triangle is now divided into the six folIlowing counties, and is a part of the State of Missouri.
COUNTIES.
Atchison,'
Nodaway,
Holt,  -
Andrew,        -
Bacehannan,    -
Platte, 
30'70
661
902 
- 2,798,
4,583 -
Fromn this table, it will be seen that, in 1850, there were living'on the
Platte Purchtase:, 47,090 inhabitants; of these 45588 were slaves.  Snee
1850, the population has increased, and the number of slaves now must
be as' many as 5,000.  How comes it that there iS m single slave there.that an inch of that territory has been polluted?  Are these 4,588:mea
I
I
38
Fr,,oe.
Slave.
Total.,
I
1,648
2,048
1 3,$28,
8,773
12,074
42,502.
1      11678 --
: 2;1 18
3',95.5 -
A 1 9,434.
12,,976
16,929i
47,090  
ON THE PRESENT CRISIS.
really slaves, or are they free men illegally held to service' How comes
all this?   V- What -means it all?  Was, or was not, that triangle a portion
of Nebraska?  Does-it, to-day, belong to Nebraska, or Missouri?  Is i,
to-day, slave or free territory    Let us closely examine this matter.
Before the admission of Missouri, there had arisen a fierce altercation
between the north and south, because free blacks of the north', whatever
their character or business, were imprisoned on entering the slave States.
The dissatisfaction ran high, and the north declared, that if citizens of the
United States were to be shutt out of slave States, or imprisoned  within
them, that no more slave territory should be admittedto the Union.  Slavery  ad been, by authority, forever abolished in the Territory, north of
the Ohio river, and east of the Mississippi; but nothing had been done
concerning the country west of the Mississippi.  Tile State of Louisiana
had been erected as a slave State; the Territories of Arklansas and- Missouri had started in the same  manner.    Missouri applied for admission
as a State at this particular crisis.  Strong and continued opposition arose,
an(I it w;ts determined that she should come in free, or not at all.  The
dissolution of the Union was threatened by the south, and was not an unwelcome thought to the north.  The great men, however, stood firm, and
the people fobllowed them.   Henry Clay prepared and submitted the Missouri Compromise, as it is generally called.   That Co- promise gives the
State of Missouri the privilege of: erecting a State government, &C., &C.;
but upon this condition, that all the-remain(ler ofthe ld- Louisiana Territory, above 36(leg.30m., should never have a slave upon it. It also added
a restriction to the Constitution of the State, whien it should be formed,
which was, that any citizen of the United States, recognizes as a citizen
in any State, was free to come  and go through Missouri, as he might
please, withlout hindrance, indignity, or imprisonment.
The Compromise was sire ply this: The nation had risen, and declared
there shall be no tnore slave States in the Union. Hetiry Clay came
forward, and in reality said, " The people of Missouri are already there,
and they own slaves, and they wish itto be a slave State. Grant them their
wish, but compel them to admit citizens of othler States, whatever  their
opinions or color.  Give to them and to the south this one piece of the
Louisiana Territory for slavery, and we ask no more; we will agree that
forever in the future, tile remainder of it shall be free.  Let us take a large
State, almost 300 miles square, and jut it up into free territory, and north
and west of it, we will not ask for more."
Such was the nature of the Missouri Compromise,   The consideration
in the bargain was the preservation of the Union.  The reiinquishment,
on the part of the north, was the State of Missouri, devoted to slavery
and the south. The relinquishment, on the part of the south, was the dedication of all the remainder of Old Louisiana Territory to eternal freedom.   And this bargain, FOR'VER, itnplied, that the north, through the
medium of Congress. would not disturb the institution of s!avery in Missouri'; ani the declaration of the enactment, not only impliedl, but it avowed, ua thile part of the south as well as northl, that they would forever prevent its violation, nor permit'a single slave to be hetd in all that Territory.
I say, the &south, with the north, pledged themselvesforever, to preventit it,
and a prohibition of the United States is a preventive, if wickedtriess does
riot come in to nullify it.
low. then, camne slavery to exist in the Great Triangle above described?
Whien Missouri was first admitted, tils land remained in the pos~sessiot
of the Indians and half-breeds.  After Missouri had been in the Union 16
39
-1
4 
LETrTE,ES FOX THE PEOPLE,
years, seeing how much it would add to tha wealth, power, and commerce
of the State, to possess the right of one-halif of the Missouri river. from
Xanzas up to the line between Iowa and Missouri, the State of Missouri
made application to Congress to add itis triangle to her territory.
A double question presents itself here.   Had  Congress  a right to it crease the territory of Missouri, under thecircumstances.  The  Missouri
Compromise described the land particularly, and made special provision
for the settlement of the north line, and for the division of the islands in
the Mississippi river.  Buitt no one, in that day, asked, hoped, or expected,
that the territory of Missouri could ever be enlarged. Thus, was the State
admitted into the Union on certain conditions, which conditions were to
continueforever. How could that State be enlarged, without violating the
rinciples upon which it was admitted?  The enlargement not only vio ated the act itself, but also the proviso respecting fu'gitives.  From the
circumstances under which Missouri was admitted, it does seem to me,
that the addition of the Platte Purchase was beyond the actual province of
the power of Congress, and it is, therefore, of right, a portion of Nebraska
Territory still.
But passing that point, let us ask, Is this triangle, when added to  Mis souri, free or slave territory? That there are slaves there, and that it is
now an ally of slave interests, are indisputable facts.  But the question
is, Did the addition of this triangle to Missouri change its free character?
Can one casual aet of Congress, couched in general terms, control and
take precedence of an especial enactment, drawn with the most stringent
precision?  Can- the careless atd hasty action of Congress undo that
which was established with the deepest thought and anxiety, and declared
irrevocable?   While an absolute, specific enactment  is in force, does it
not modify, in that particular respect which it regards, any general act,
which does not directlyv or indirectly indicate its abrogation? But, can
Congress pass any act that shall be perpetual 7  Men, in this world, make
bequests, endowments, and deeds. which are never to be changed-whiech
express the will of the donor, or conveyer.  There  are times in government, when the same stably kind of action is desirahle, when  great principles are to be established, and deeds perbformed which will forever result
in good.  Circumstances change; opinions alter; and this is so common,
in a world where the future is all hidden, that it is a rare thing, that such
language as that of the Missouri Compromise is introduced. In our Indian treaties, in reference to land titles, the same construction of language
is used.  A time catmle in the affairs of our country, when every thing demanded, that a permanent, enduring enactment should be passed, and it
was  done.   What was that enactment'?  That Missouri, with certain
boundaries, should be admitted as a slave State.   Mark it well! Government did not proinise to add territory to that State, nor to maintain the
supremacy of slavery there.  No; it only said to Missouri, " You may
brand the curse upon your own forehead, and  we will yet receive you to
the Union; hut west and north of you, there shall forever be no slavery."
Can the United States make ai pertmanent enactment? Is its word good
for even 20 years?  I do not know  or remember any United States' et)actment, except this, which was designed to be a perpetual statute, beyond the possibility of change. And yet, this has been trampled upon,
in the grossest manner.  Is our government desirable?  Is it any blessing
to live under it?  If it is, why not maintain its integrity?  Why make it
a liar, in the one thing of all others, in which it has given out its word,
and declared it will not recall it?  Sbae to the southb, burning and eteir
.40 
ON THE PRESENT C:RISTS1
nal shamtne, that, for a few acres of ground, —-for a slight,advantage,-they
should quietly and stealthily attempt to violate the Missouri Comlpitomise,
-a compromise fratmed by themselves, and p sed for themselves. and
that for their own benefit!  Oh, fatse and traitorous north, that could join
hands to sell the liberties of men, and extend  the reign of sorrow and injustice, to disgrace the honor of your nation, and make her promises a jest
More anon.                             Yours truly. 
LT rcEUls.
LETTER VIII.
Is thePlatte Purchase free or slave?-Origin of Platte Addition-Missouri Compromise
and Platte Purchase Act compared-Position  of Platte Purchase Slaves legally-Ne  cessity for Wilmot Proviso-Nebraska free- lnluence upon Missouri- Nebraska
slave influence on Missouri - Nebraska certainly free -Insecnrity of carrying  Ne'  groes there.
Saint Louis, Aug. 24th,,I53,
MY  DEAR FRiENrD: One of two things is true, eitherthisis slave Territorv, in its absolute sense, and the second act of Congress supercedes the Missouri Compromise, or it is free to-day.
Now in legal enactments, when any new statute is erected, an exception, or prevision, is commonly made respecting other previous enactments,
which may have any bearinrg or the case, and where nothing is said regardtng it, the new act comes under the restriction of previous acts, etbher
than overrules them.   Congress is authorized to pass laws, not conflicting
with the constitution of the United States.  Other Legislatures  are permitted to pass laws, not contrary to the constitutions of their respective
States, or of the United States. Each State, and the Unite,l States, in their
statutes, always read that this statute shall in no manner be construed( so
as to conflict with other previous statutes, specifically narnmed, or just the
contrary-after a certain date this statute shall take fuil & immediate effect,
all other existing enactmnents, or statutes, to the gtrairy notwithstanding.
Now the act, adding the Platte purchase, waswiginated either in ex.treme folly. or excessive subtlety.  It'does not define whet effect was teo
be produced on the triangular addition, as regarded slavery.   It does not
tell what authority Missouri was to exercise, whether only the rights of
comnwn law, such as her.free citizens enjoyed, who did not hold slaves, or
whether it enforced the special enactments of a slave State,  which were
granted by the Missouri Compromise.
It is probable that subtlety, was the  cause of this ambiguity.  The
countrv was in 1836 little known.   The Missouri Crompromise had lost
some itnterest, in the changing scenes of pofitical warfare, and the billwas
introduced, as a careless request, to add a small piece of ground to Missouri, and it probably passed, because it had not sufficient point, an&distinctness, to challenge investigation, or opposition.  It was, I think, the design
to have it pass without opposition, in this ambiguous forrm, and then thlro,t
it open to the slaveholding masses, assuming they had the right to enater'
it, (which they had not,) and let them roll in, and locate theeurse there;
wvell knowing it takes a pound to cure what an ounce could have prevent.
ed.  But let us see this curious document-it speaks for itself:
"June 7th, 1836.-Be it enacted, by the Senate and  House  of Representatives of the United States of America, in Co'ngress:assemblet, That
when the Indian title to all, the lemds -lying between? tile State of Misouri
41
14
I. 
LETTERS FOX-RTHE.PEOPLE,
and the Missouri River, shall be extingttished, the jurisdiction e.ver said
lads Mallti be,hea, by ceded.to. the,State —o  Missouri, and the western
boundlary of said State shll be then extended to' the lMissouri  river, re. serving to the United States the original right of soil in said lands, a(nd of
disposing.of the same: Prf.vide(ld that this act shall' not take effect until
the Presid.ent shall by proelamation declare that the Indian title to said
lands has been extinguished, nor shall it take effect, until the state of Mis souri, shall have assented to the provisions of this act."
Such is its language.   Thie only twvo word<, upon which the  point can
at all turn, are jurisdictioh and boundary.  Tihe jurisdiction of this coun try hadt been in the United States, and was as in the whole Indian coun try, military instead of civil,. The vafio-S9 u'inanings of the word, will per reit us to place variousinterpretations upon the statute, not one of them
hi)tever, necessitates the  absolute righlt, for Missouri  to plant  slavery
th~er,e.  IKnowing- the IMissouri Comp'romise to be in full force, it could be
more properly construed, elthait the statute grants such authority only, over
this newv addition, asfree States exercise over their own Territory.
Thile Western boundtary shall then be extended to the Missouri river."
This seems to tme to)gain nothing  for slavery..  Missouri asked for a free
tertitory — free forever, by solemn"agreement of the Union; -and Congress
gave it to them without at all removing the restriction, and it passed' into
M[issouri's private hands with this public, national mortgage for f-eedonrifor
ever resting on it.
I believe the Pitea  Purchase free territory, and a part of Nebraska;
that so long as the Mfissoluri Compromtise stands on the statute, it takes
precedence, antI entire control, of any other or even an opposite enactmea;  that when the United States have made a solemn contract, and
mrillious have acted in. goodl faith in it, for sixteen years, and one party have reaped all the benefits, and the other party nonre, it is impossible, with truth, equity, or justice, for the United States to annul that compact.  The part freeforever was as much  a part of the agreement, as
was the erection of Missouri into a slave State.   But when  tlthe United
States declares a thing,ll be forever prohibited, and designs to have
that prohibition an im7ntble eternal statute, that act must be absolutely
repealed, (is not that an impossibility?) or it stands in full strength forever; and violations of it, however they may seek refuge under ambiguous.enactments, should be with rigor souLght out, exp)osed, and punished.
From the above we insist, that there are now held in anl illegal manner,
4,588 slaves.'; persons who did not'escap2e there, but were brought there
voluntarily by their masters, persons doomed to " involuntary servitude,"
not "for crimes whereof they have been lawfully convicted," save it be
that so admirably described by Cowper, " He finds his brother guilty of
a skin not colored like his oowi; and having power to enforce the wrong,
for such a worthy cause, dooms him, and tasks him, and exacts his
sweat," &c. 
If these 4,588 slaves could bring suit in a court of justice for freedom
and services, while they have been oni thie Platte Purchase, and it shoulder
be appealed to the United:States' Supreme Court,-for the question would
ultimately come there,-  the decision would  be in favor of the slaves.The Missouri Compromise makes every sl'ave carried into the Platte Purchase a free man.  And no maii, having;them there, can carry them  v'way,
for they are free.-E;    V. s.;
Let us now return tA,the inquiry, HI- shall Nebraska be admitted -
.Let $'ustice write the -Wilmot 2roviso,-no,  the Missouri Comrpromise,
4-1 
-.unon her fair brow.,  After our.e!ami aaion of the history of the Platte,
P'rchase, all can understand the manner in which the Missouri Comprromise has been treated,  It has been.violated. Slaves are, to day, held in
involuntary servitude, on thousands of miles, where our nation h   declared
there should forever be no slave.  If that solemn compact has be,e    violated in one part, it will be violated in another, if an opportunity s,hall ir.
any' wise be granted,  Let the nation throw out tier banner, and t,ell all
men what she has before told them  that Ne,braska is free, an(l that,there
slavery shall find no hold for the sole of her foot, for even a single llour.
It becomes the nation to bestir itselfi There is nodoubt but that, irn a few
years, this question will rectify itself in Nebraska, wliatever Congress, or
the nation, may do.,But Congress owes it to the nation, the nation owes
it to herself, to pass, in connection with the opening of the Territory. the
8th section of the act, authorizing the people of Missouri to fi)rm a State
government.   We have already quoted it, and it is, the Missouri Corlmpromise.  This is due to the north and souith; it will peaefultyy.facilitate
what will come after, perhaps ten years of fierce bickerings and internal
wars, over this unhappy question., It will immediate ly  permit  the.,full
settlement of the line, from the Missouri river to the Pacific oc     e an iseal
of keeping settlers away by the idea that it isa State distracted in its social relations. No southerner will then suffer the vexation, disappointment,
and loss of a stay of one to five years in a new  country, which he must,
then, perchance leave, without  raking hisnegroeswith him. or reniai,n
there to do (With his own hands the labor hee brought them along to pe;form.  This is the only true way,-the only honest  or honorahble way.to dispose of it. 
But where will the settlers'come from. Ark-ansas is calling f(or settlers
slave settlers.  Texas, in danger of being divided, and making a new free
State, is calling and imploring slave-owninig and sllavery-loving men,  to
come there and settle. New Mexico, whose character is soon:to be decided
by a popular vote is trembling, as she anticipates the question, and begs for
slavehliolders to come to her.   Utah, also, to have the question settled by
popular vote, is calling, and calling in vain for slavehlolders, and ha(l but
30 slaves, and 15,000,inhabitants.  These are called slave countries, and
there slaveholders, as far as they dare, are going to settle.   While  this
is so, Missouri, bent beneath her little load4 of slavery, has beenr toiling on
for 60 years, to get her present position.  In one-third of that time, Ohio,
Indiana, and Illinois, have grownr up, and outstripped:Missouri.  They
have a large population to keep  at home,  but their i.nereasing surplus is
seeking new homes further west, an'd Nebraska is the point which fixes
their gaze.  There are vast numbers of men, who  are intending to go
there, the first nioment the Territory is opened for entrance. In two counties in Ohio, there are 3,000 persons in one company, who intend to go,
as a colony for freedom, and little bands exist every where in those Sates,
who will go together.  Hundreds of men have been  sent outd-to see that
country, in order to carry back reports of thie good land.  It is also calculated that, at least 50,000 persons will enter Nebraska in eighteen months
from Missouri alone, and that population will be free.  The slave-owners
of Missouri own farms and houses of such value that, in the temporary
and pressed sale of lands, by persons leaving, they can' not'afford to sell;
and they will not lare.to mnake a change, that promises only loss angd,,is appoi'itment.,..
Btit let tps suppose that the south, trampling uponliberty, aind the-north,
betraying freedotm, should again' violate"'the eiMsoni  iC6mpml,   and
-G       RFSEN
X,T,,HE P   T AQR,1818
43,
4 
LE'TTRS'F  T;tE;PEO'PFE,
should declare that when it sihsoldcome ifit the Union,it sh'oud be Slaye
or free, as the popular:vote migihtdec' ere.:Secl an  ariangeemeiit wbld
perhaps take 5,000 slaves  fr'itm'Missouri, and 1000  fiom  othe. tii;Ve
Stats.  And what is the result of this'
It weakens slavery in Missouri, where it is now insecere.  Every s'ai.
removed from Missouri, reduces the proportion of slaves t6 thle free;'r
there is no slave  intnigration into Missouri to replace thenm,  while the
places of the free wth leave will, in:a few months, be entirely-filled from
the east.  This would hasten the freedom of Mlissouri.  A few slaves in
Nebtaska, and a divided sentiment on the subject, and decided opposition
to the institution, would not strengthein it at all in Missouri.  S'fhe very
tfact thiat, in Nebraska, a war was going on which would end in thie total
expulsion of slavery from its borders, would keep the State of Missouri in
tihe most constant alarnii.   And, when the catastrophe should actually
come, aidtl  Nebraska assert her freedom,'then would the blow come upon
Missouri with tenfold the effect, that would follow the settlement ofNebras ka upon free principles; for there would then be an adjoining State, where
slavery had been defeated: and a precedent would be given f)r the action of
herown inasses,and an undying enthusiasm awakened in themi to do likewise.
Settle Nebraska free, under the' Missouri Cornpromise, and she  will look
with pity upon Missouri, groaniing and laboring under her curse; but atet'npt to chain slavery upon her, and when once she has broken the fewter
from her pure -neck, she will burn with hatred toward the/oppressor, who
attempted to despoil:her of her richlies and glory.
But, for the sake of arfbment, let us assune,:that many slaves should
roll in froim Missouri and the south, and it should become a slave State.
T[hat, evern'"could not hinder the progress of freedom in Missouri, and we
have the spectacle of a new State, standing again surrounded with three
free States or Territories, and scarcely touching a slave State. That would
be a worse position than Mlissouri. -Surely, ifa nian is afool to go at this
late hour into Missouri with his negroes, he is a madman  to go with them
into Nebraska.   -
But it isa vain supposition,,to ass,ume'that it can be a stave State.  New
Mexico and Utah have been  admitted as TerritorieSupon the condition
that the voters shtall settle the question when they come in as States.  It
is a question whether New Mexico will not come in as a free State.  l4er
population are mostly  M[exican, and are accuslomed to her la.ws, which
forbid slavery.  And Utah  also, out ef her 15,000 population, had only
:30 slaves.  The  proxiimity of Missouri to Nebrask.a  does  not, by Any
means, make it-certain, that slavery must and will go into the tew Territory, Missouri, instead of b)eing able to propagate slavery, can not even
retain it for herself.  The men who live on the'frontier tell us, they feel
the utmost anxiety and alarmn. for it must be a free State; and, if it is,
slavery dies in Missouri, pierced through the heart.
More anon.                                 Yours truly.      LcEUS.
T Tr-    trEm. O LycEvs.
LETTER,  IX.
The Nature of Com promises-Missouri Compromise and Fugitive Slave Compromise
compared-North and South contrasted-Southern Attempt tomake Fugitive DO
promise irrevocable-Compromises on Slavery contrary to national Policy ofitie
Constitution-Publ ie Mleetings-New Policy for North-Instrutictions to Represei
tatives., 
Saint,Louis, S~ept, 7th.b, 3
MY D)EARP.  sEABD:  I wish,to say a few woords inore about compa orises, and I amn done.  When one party fails to fulfii his part of a con
4-4 
ON THE PRESENT.CRISIS.'
tract, then the other party may demand, and compel them to do so,. or depart from the previous engagement. WVhat is fair for one side, is fair for
the other.  As it would have been a breach of the Missouri Compromise.
for the north io have demanded a triangle 104 miles long and 60 wide, and
exclude slavery from it, and take it away from Misso,ri, just so much a
breach of the Compromise was committed, whenso much of thefree, foreverfree, territory was given to Missouri and slavery.
This crime has been wrought by the south, and that very violation tlas
given to the north the right to demand, that Missouri shall be a free State
Upon certain conditions, the United States declared,Missouri a slave State;
the conditions violated, it instantly makes the question the same as before
the Compro0'se, in which tho north demanded it should  be a free State.
As it was made a slave. State solely on these conditions, it would, if the
north insisted upon it, become'a free State, upon the holding of a single
.slave upon the forbidden  preml-ises.'Phe  fact that the north l!;t rebelied against this encroachment, that it has not demanded  thatte constitution of Missouri should )e changed and exclude slavery, does not relieve the, south one particle for what they have done; for if the north was
recreantin not guarding the interests of freedorn, it is no excuse why the
south, who form a part of the Union, should not come utip arid protect it.
But the south not only did not protect her owvn -issouri Compromise, but
sought its violation, and accomplished it.
But, if time and all the solemnities of legis,lation an not make firm
and abiding one compromise, neither can they another.   Our Congress
has again passed a Com,proinise, as it has'Ibeen unjustly called.   a the
Missouri Compromise, the north were demnandants. In the nigg'er-rendition Compromise, the south were demandants.   In the Missouri Comprornise, the south were the promissors. [athe negro-renidition Compromise,
the north were promiissors.  In thile Missouri Compromise, the south promised to keep its hands off this Nebraska'erritory.
In the slave-rendition Compromise, the north promised to chase, hunt,
catch, hold, and deliver back to bondage every poor fagitive slave.
In the Missouri Compromise. the south promised a huniane, just, and
holy thing.  In the nigger-catching Cormpromise, the north promised an
inhuman, unjust, and unholy thing. 
In the Missouri Comrnpromnise, the south, by their vote, settled that question.  In the black Compromise, the north, by their vote, sustained it.
In'the Missouri Compromrnise, the south gave a. promise forever. designing that the act should never be revoked, for- its exeetion would  always
be salutary.  In the slave-catching. Compromise, no time was specified,
for the continuance of the act, for.it can breed no good to any one.
But how did these Compromises stand in their operation? The Missouri
Compromise has never yet had but one chance for trial, and how fared it?
Missouri wanted the triangle,-the richest soil within her present borders,
in order to extend the curse over it,-and she obtained it.  We are on the
eve of the question once mnore, and what says the promissor now? Senator
Atchison, the acting Vice President of the United States, may be consider,d as the exponent of southern opinion. In speeches he has been
miaking, in various  portions of the State, he is reported as taking the
ground, and. in effect, asserting, that he will fight the admission of Nebraska, unless it cant come in without the Wilmot Proviso; that it shall
come in as a slave Territory, or, at least, with the question left open, and
all done to foster slavery that is possible  There are men in weslter, Mi-.
souri, who are tampering with he  aIndians, and trying to induc,e the ablest
45 
LETTElRS'F'ORP Ti E PEOPLE,
of them to beco'te slaveholders.  The very'questioni before Coingress, the
very rea/ on why  Nehraslia is not thrown open already, is, tlat tie south
are uniwilling to stand to the  lissouri Compromrnise-are utrlWvillng that a
free Territory should be erected on the frontier of the down-failing slave
State of sMissouri.'I The south originated, presented, and passed, the Mis souri Coinpromnise, but they lhave never respected or preserved it.
But how is it with the north and her black Compromis.e?  She passed
it, and laid it on her owVn shoulders, because ofthe blusterings of the Mem phis Convention of southern disunionists.  Aid, again and again, has she
come up with the sword of justice, and the arm of law, and a debauched
public sentiment, all bearing down upon one poor, trembling victim, and
consigned himr to injustice and despair.  Oh, glorious, subl'e, transcendant wores! Oh, noble, humane, Christian spirit!   What  joy swells the
boso    fthe universal north, as it contemnplates each of its God-like
achien,/nts.   Well  may ye exclaim,    - We are the men of principle
we sustain the Union; we caught him; we kept the south in good humor;
the iigger can't be very smart; we, (14,000,000 of us,) caught hirn,-he
c an not help himself, —he must go back!"
But, in some very sinful places, where twice or thri,e humanity has
triumphed over insensibility, and conscience conquered fear, and the eyes
God gave him to guide him, the feet to carry him, and the intellect to
counsel him, operated well, and the endangered wretch escaped from you,
(14,000,000 freemen;) wlhy, what has  been  the result? The northern
press has denounced it. and the south has rung a tocsin of alarm and horror, at your faithlessness and perversity in opposing and violating the nigger-rendition Compromise.   And, to make amends, and show your true
love for slavery and your sincere repentance for your neglect, you permit
freemen to be kidnapped; and, when in violation of vour own statutes.
slaves are brought into your b unds, and are freed by your laws, you annul
the statute by paying their fill value, until even Louisiana herself convulses with laughter at your ridiculous sycophancy.
And, to add indignity to yQur degradation, to rule you with a heavier
rod than they lay on their own slaves, last winter they attempted to add
the  forever," to this nigger-rendition Compromise, to pass it in such a
manner that it could never be revoked-that it should become a permanent
statute-which should end only when the last slave in the Union was dead.
They failed to obtain it. Thank God, he set a bound to northern infatuation and venality, and they failed to obtain it!
Do not misunderstand me.   I would see the Constitution of my country
honored and upheld, although it contains the rendition of fugitives.  But I
abominate asycophancy, which, with eagerness,'offers itself' as a tool to
accomplish such unhallowed work.  Let those who are accustomed  to
bind, and drive, and consider as property their fellow-men, let them come,
an; get, and take away what they can legally prove their own.  There is
something in passivity in this thing, a thousand times preferable to activity.
And while I would thus passively submit to the demands of the Constitution,and lwould have all my fellow-citizens do the same, I would myself,
and l' would have them, with intense activity, labor to have that Constitution so modified, as to relieve me of even my passive submission to so'sad
an ordinance.  No; if it be two years, or five, or fifty, that this clause
shall stand in our Constitution, let us honor it, let us sustain it; butl with
each year, let us double our efforts to make the Constitution of our counltr what our fathers designed it-a bulwark of humtan happiness and free,!0 im  tiont a bulwark of degradation and slavery.
46 
ON THE T  RESK N   CECIS IS 
My soul burns like as with fire, when I look upon these two  Compromnises, their characters, and their. fulfilmeet.   The perfidyv of the south,
their violation of their soeleirti proinises, their )present llhostility,: and their
impious demands that the 5issouri.omprotmise shall;be takenr: ot the,Nebraska Territory, or it shall not come in;-and then their abuse of the north
when  pooe  serf as she is, she has tried to be perfect in their service, andi
has fallen but little short of it.   -
And tl-hat recreant north, thlt, for pIarty power and spoils, has sold, out
the interests of lhumrnanity and freedom., atd ihas permitted that fair triangle to become accursed,  vwho is even nowv sluiinberiig with this'question
impen(ditg, where  slavery is again atternpting to carry  the bulwarks of
freedomn, who is so faithful in fulfilling her bad promises to so false a partner.
But the whole system of Compromises, between the north and south,
rests upon untenable grounds.  Demands are made by the south, and acknowledged by the north, without a particle of evidence.or justice. The
Constitution is so construed by the south, as to defeat all legislation which
could benefit the north, and yet to pass every enactment which;eati help
the south.  Nowv this is nol a national policy, and itis far from the,,ourse
intended by our fatlhers; and the iorth is as deeply, yes, even more deeply to blame than the south, for the north has had  the  power, if she had
possessed the will, to control this whole thing, and keep it right.
When our Constitution was dtafied, slavery was an etisting institution
in all the colonial States.  It was, however, looked upon as a relic ofbarbarism and cruelty, which would fade away, when brought in contadt witht
the glorious principles of equality and freedomn, publisbeil to the world in
that document as the sentiments and practice of this nation.  But all itien
could not be expected to be equally expeditious in washitig their hands of
this stain.  Circumstances might make it itnposstble to somie; extreme
laziness, or avarice, or even corporeal lor(ldship, might lead soine-to retain
their slaves, long after thef intelligent, generous,  and  Christia,n, hatd set
their's free.  The Constitution was a voluntary obligation, and it did not
intend to bring even these avaricious men  inito circunistances where itself
shouldl make them personal losers.  The Constitution, therefore, provided
for the rendition of fugitives; but all at that day, and when they  adopted
tlhe Constitution, all expected the time, when the progress of freedom
would annul the statute entirely, and when no  mnan could  be found, so
avaricious or lazy as to continue a practice so contrary to his own boasted theory of human rights..
The Constitution in the samte manner, io providing  for the apportionment of districts for representation, would. not treat the  slave sectionis,
who voluntarily subscribed to it with such rigor, that their slaves should
not be counted at all; but it did and.does make  a difference between'thO
slave and  the free black; and by making this difference, insteadafirewarding slavery, or'encouraging it, the Constitution branded lt, and sought
to hasten its overthrow.   Three free blacks count as much as five slaves,
in the representation; so that if the south wo'uld to-day set their sl,aves
free, they could gain in the representation in Congress a full   itihon of
populatinu.  This is the true state of the case.   The  Constitution was,
by no mteans, a perfect document; it was a platform  upon  whicih the
States could stand confederated; anti  it sought,to do as little to coaunteuance or encourage slavery as possible; it'was intended to increase, and
encourage freedom.
But how has this Constitution workecd, and what is: it now declared tot
teach?
I. e   * v.', 
47
0 
LETTERS FOR THE PEOPLE,
She south coolly tell us, that the institution of slavery is an inseparable
clement in oturgovernmental organization and existence; that our fathers
meant to have it continueforever, and provided in the Constitution for the
giving up of all fugitives from oppression.  We  are told, that  the south
was intended to stand upon an equality of power with the north, and that
representation was granted for slaves on that account; and that now, as
freedom by the course of nature outstrips slavery, that, therefore, the whole
effort of Government, by war, by purchase, by threatening, shall be expended in increasing the territory, and strengthening the claims of the south.
Now, this action has had some peculiar nmotive power. It has not sprmng
up in a day.  The change from the noble and real sentiments and hopes
of our fathers to those which their degenerate sons now impute to them, has
been gradual.  We can, however, date its rise to the time, when  cotton
first becamne a staple production of the south. The great profit arising
from the labor of slaves in its cultivation, and the vast amount of capital
invested in human flesh, step by step, led the south to love instead of hate
slavery; and then to defend and propagate it; and as, year by year, this
profit and investment grew larger, the more powertul became this determination   These are the springs which  have moved the sentiments and
actions of:the-south, that have ntiade her so inmperious and insulting in her
demands and threats, and in this has the sp)irit of comn l)romise germinated,
and grown up to bear such loathsom-e fruits.
The Mi3souri Compromise itself was a )low  in the very face of freedom, which has matde her reel to the present  hour.  Then,  the north
should have stood firm, and demanded that the princip)les which the Federal, Government and the Constittiion were intended to carry out, should
be respected and fulfilled.  She should have had no parley with slavery.
She ought to have passed a system of gradual emancipation for Missouri,
and given her citizens the privilege to remove elsewhere, or, if they chose,
remain to abide the action of her laws.   But no! the north gave way to
the growing plague-spot.  The north pet mitted the south to make one
conquest, and it is for that reason that the south do  not and have riot regarded or respected their own Missouri Coinproinilse.  The north quailed
and faltered, the south learned the pusillanimity of the north, and-profited by it.  She has already minade onset after onset with success, and she
will do it in the future; and, if the north will bow her obsequious head a
little lower, she will soon be dragged onward, chained to the chariot wheels
of the south.
When we  received lands from  Mexico, over which laws prohibitory
of slavery had been long in full force, the north should have declared,
that the principles of our Republic demanded them to remain free forever.
But no; the south demanded that the badlance of power should be kept u'p!
What balance of power?  What clause of the Constitution provides for
legislating one portion of the Republic backwards and thle other portion
frwards to keep thetn even? - New Mexico and Utah have also, by northern conprolnmising, been placed as a bait to southerners, to excite them to
extend the area of human slavery.
- Again, the south demands a new law respecting fugitives, aid the north
graats a law, in its spirit ond details, tfar beyond  what the framers of the
Constitution ever dreamed of.   And now, again, the south demands the
removal of the Eissoitri Compromise from the beautiful Nebraska Territory.. What will the north do?  Has -she got traitors enough in Congress
to betray the interests of the north, of the nation, of the world, for the pe"iniary interest of a portion of dtie south?  Oh, that the north  would,  e
48
11."::     *  4 7, 
ON THIE PRESENT CRII$tS.
now she has slept at her post!  Our nation is the beacQn of freedom  to
the world, and the north is the only part of our land. that bas any freedom,
either of body or mind, of tongue, action, or press! And the north should
brintg every one of its representatives to the ALTAR offreedomn  and make
them swear uncompromising HIATRED TO SLAVERY, AND ETFRNAL FIDELITY
TO itUMAN FREEDOM; and, if he proves recreant,,consign him to obscurity,
and his name to oblivion, or rather preserve it with, the eeepration and
loathing, which embalm  the memory of a traitor to:h'! country! 
:Those CQmpromises,,as far as the south. is. concerned, arise from avarice, selfishness, and love of power; but what do they arise from on the
part of the north?  Venality and cowardice!  It is a constant bidding for
the political influence and friendship of the:south-, or a constant fear of
her threateened action..  Do you pretend thatthese Compromises. arefrom
l.ove    he  Unions?,The Union is yaluable  only as, it makes our nation
and our nation is valuable, only as she fulfils a mission. of, peace,; prosper-,
ity, liberty, and Christianity, to her own people and the world.- And. the.;
man who truly loves his n.ation must, wish this blot, this stain, this curse,
removed from it; for we should be firmer, richer, and better without it.
If ever,. a man ought to be brave when,he is in the right,,e shouId not
let the bravadoes. or the threats, or the imaginations. of others, turnhim.
f,ora his duty; if consequeuyps'pf sQrr w follow, fo,  bis-tion, far beth
tel that his conduct had been,right than.wrrong.  Th'e soutb  or 3a years
bave been threateners,-a minority denying Hta- majority the rightk,heiler.
ofj udgment or legislation......ML..    iA'
In everylinstance, the south. ls'hadea point to carry, and'she 8respectfully begins thus.. W' We would be  leased -to have, you do thus and thus."
Tbe north opposes strongly; the voice of the, south rises;   you must do
thaus atd,thus,; we say, yon MUST."  Still the north objects;  The south
at last, witfh fierce,gesticulation, screams, "If you don't do it, you'll repent'
thy hour, do it now,. or we will do something horrible-we surely will!Don't tempt our spirit #to far-we'lbwithdraw from the Union-yes,we'll
dissolve the Union-we'll have a civi war!" And then the chivalrous north
comes,in, with'a timid, "' Oh,:,don't-do not be rash.!  Let  us reflect a.
littl,e."  The south answers, with indignation,'" Think quick, Or it will,
be too late-the  exigencies of the times are terrible-act INSTANTLY, or
th'e.U~nion goes to pieces!"  And  the north,  with a wry  face, replies,
.That would be a terrible calamity; we do not like vour demands; but
wE, can not take the RESPONSIBILITY of dividing this glorious Union;  so,
just fix it to suit yourselves, and do be quiet, and not scare us ony more,
with suechawful threats."
'What contemptible folly!  vWhat a farce is our country playing in the
face of the world and of posterity!  Who ever-heard of the north threatening the division of the Union? Who ever heard of her doing any thing
to injure slavery?   Where has sheeever appeared so dreadful a monster,
that she must be chained with compromises to restrain her powers?. It is
madness, it is the heightof shame, cowardice, and self-contempt, for the.
nrtior,  t stand, by the half century, and be branded as the disturber of the
nation's; peace, and then admit before the world, that SHE 1St,,THE ONE to
blame, and make the reparations due by somte one else.   Thre is a lie in
it,;:.it is perjury against one's fair fame and interests; it is:~courging of
righteousness, and a rewarding of sin.  An  hour will come,  when opur
childreaxwill stand staupified with amazement, as they read of the recreaney, of the north to her interests, and to every noble principle of national
and individual action;  and they, the children of the south as well as the
D
40 
LETTERS FOR TIlE PEOPLE,
north, will brand upon all these compromises their true characters, Craven
cowardice, and inlhumnan treachery. 
13ut what can the north do to retrace her steps?  There aretwo'tiings
now presented, which demand IMIEDIATE ACTION; and they can be right
ly settled, and will ymike a good beginning for a new course of p1olicy.The first is, that the Missouri Compromise shall be inviolate; the other
is, that the Pacific Railroad shhll be built where right demands it. as near,
the straight line:fromn New York to San  Fincisco  as.it can be run, andi'
that it shall neither swerve to the north or south of that line,'either to
please men, nor to save expense.
Were  there in the north the same  local feeling, that  there  is in
the south, the same self-respect, and selfmreliance, our nation would hIave,
been a different nation from what it is to-day.'We should then have hail
a nationat policy, while now there is no NATIONAL  policy, but to' ratify
foreigners, and conciliat'e cotton bates.  No great or noble work can be undertaken by the Government, because the South deems such things unconstitutional.  Our  rivers can receive no improvements, the harbors no protection, the" likes no lighthouses.  But it is all right,when a Fresident unconstitutionally commences a war to benefit the SdUTt;'it is all right to
excite war in CUiba,  and - either buy' or conquer it for slavery. It i all right
to accept the hospitality of Mexico' and then violate her  laws, and'make'
her execution of tho,lsws'the excuse for Stealing her territory by  force,
of arms.
It is the policy of the south to' keep so much work before the nation,
that she shall spend all her energies upon that, in order that the:-repose of
the " divine institution" be not disturbed.  This is truly a fine, a de~lightit
ful, a worthy policy for a- GREAT nation    To be forever legtslatingfor
one locality, and that,the poorest and  thie meanest, (according to its:ex'
tent,) of the whole domaia.  That for her all else should stand stillt, thi.
shuttles of the north silent, the furnaces of the middle cold; and the ship'
ping of the whole unproteeed.  -.
,I wish I could ask every freeman of the United States, "Has not this
thing gone far enough?7  Is it not time that there was a mighty change?
Wlhen canthere be a mnore auspiceious time to'cotumence a national policy"
and to adopt the trtiei policy ofl our nation; which should be the developmrent of all our natural resources; and, in reference to slavery, T o LET ST
,ALONE: to legislate al ways against its extension, but'never for its propagation; and thus to'carry out the original intention of the fratners, o  our
Govern'merit?":      --
Nebraska is free, if the south will respect.th  Missouri'Comp'romiie;
but make te mnatter sure-meet the question mnanfully,'on the spot —and
say to slavery,  "This;erritory is free, and never shall your blighting
foot be set upon,it."
But, in reterence to this railroad, what has the United States done for
-the south, within the last ten years?  She has added to her domain  the
vast State of Texas,  and paid her debts to the amount of nearly 15,I000o;0
dollars. For her also, to defend this new State, or, in better tru:th,   L n
still newer ooe s,-sh'e has undertaken a war with Mexico, which hib  cost
more than 30  000,000 of money, and for years has been sustaining, at a
ruinous expe"e,:the main body of her army on the frontier of her new
pos'se'ssitns; b'- ~' ~",....-i
'Mhore th-an 40,000 lives; the demoralization of more than 1 000,000 of
oeur inhabitants.thro(ugh'the influence of the returne        d army, the withdiawment o'f'to'iaIny' meaI firtom:; walks of industry and ase fujoess, a"i%  about
50 
ON T[IE PRESENT CRISIS.                              51
325,000,000 dollars have beenhspentfor the south, and the sotith alone, in
the last ten years; while the:'torth and west have had small pit'taiance's doled
out to them,'for their crying necessities, and that, after begging din'their
knees, yearafter year, to obtain them.
N-ow, enoughl will be heard from  the south about economy, in the new
road.  They will cause the Government to make a very poorface over this
great'national work, but look at it one moment!  
The contract was offered to Congress, to build the.whole road at about
$35,000 per mile.  The road from Fort Leavenworth to San Francisco is
about 1o00 miles long   but add two hundred miles for tunnellirng,  bridging, &c., and call it 2,000; and, at $35,000 per mile. it would cost complete'but $70,000,000; and even  putting the cqst of the road at $50,000
per mile. then 2000 miles would cost $101,000,000; and the first years
business' would pay for all the cars. engines, and  houses, needed on the,
whole road-  What if it can be built cheaper, by 5,00,000, or even 10,.
000,-000, or even 20,000.000 dollars, by any other route than the truoe oe''?
Ought not the anorth to have it?  Does n(ot her population,  her vasf produc'tions, her great necessities, her remoteness in every direction fromn the
sea, make it hers in justice and right?. I would n9t wrong the sounth, but
I would have the north RIGlO' herself.  The south has no need of, that
railroad; her domestic commierce is done by northern,.b6ttoms. Shene'e'ds
only articles for her own consurnptio'n.. The question in buildig' a rail.
r6A'id'is no where,  " Wh     itere will             i co t 1' but "Were wil  I'a
mo.t.?"  And, in this day of straight lines and lightning'speed, it is puerile and silly, thata few millions o  ollars should locate this CREAT sROAD;
of the wORLD out of the lineof b'usiness, away from its proper course, All
South'Anmerica lies open for our commerce the lap of Africa is full oftreasures for us to obtain, and our whole Atlantic  commerce, north and south,
can find as' profitable and comfortable work in those, as in being mere
auxilliaries to the Chinese and Efast India traffic.  The line should  go
north, from ocean to ocean!
But what can the north do? LetWhigs and Democrats all feel and think
that, howyever they may differ upon political theories and plans, that there
should be a national policy,there is a north to be cared for as well as a south,
an interior as well as a coast; that as, upon great qluestions,the political distinctions of southrons are subjected to their southerii policy and plans, so,
when great questions of vital interest to the whole Union, and especially,to
the north, arise, that they as one man sihould come up to their detense, and
for the time lay by all party feelings, in order to bless the naiion.  Sooner
or I'ater, we must come to this.  Had this been the- course of this nation for
the last 30 years, slavery would to-day have scarcely had a name.   It is
the true way to help Missouri, Kentucky, Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware, to become free, and join your ranks and strengthen your hands.
"But," you ask," how can we  commence?"   Let public nyleetings'be
called. by both the political parties, in every town and hamlet north of the
Ohio river.  Let them thrust out from their nominations, and purge their
places oTrust, of E'VERY TIME-SYERVING, SLAVE-ADORING DOUGHFACEI, and
let them demand of their old and new delegates, whether they will vote for
the Wilmot prov-so for Nebraska, and for a railroad, to run either through
Bridger's, or the South Pass.
Let them instruct their representatives that, if the'south'will not pass the
Wilmot provisoon Nebraska, and thus re-enact the Missouri Compromise,
that they repeal all the particular provisions of thefugitive SLAVYELAW, and
let the south catch her own slaves,without either assistance or hindrance, as 
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