Elizabeth Town Gazette

Copy of a letter from the Hon. Charles Pinckney, to the Editor of the Charleston City Gazette, dated

Congress Hall, March 9, 1820—8 o'clock at night.

Dear Sir—I hasten to inform you, that this moment we have carried the question to admit Missouri and all Louisiana, the Southward of 36 degrees 30 minutes, free of the restriction from slavery, which will include Arkansaw and the Floridas, and give the Southern interest in a short time an addition of six, and perhaps eight, members in the Senate of the United States. It is considered here by the slave holding states as a great triumph. The votes were close, 90 to 86, produced by the seceding, and absence of a few moderate men from the north. To the north of 36 degrees 30 minutes, there is to be by the present Law, restriction, which you will see by the votes I voted against. But it is at present of no moment; it is a vast tract, inhabited only by Savages and wild beasts, in which not a foot of the Indian claim to the soil is extinguished; and in which, according to the ideas prevalent, no Land Office will be open for a great length of time.

With respect your obedient,

Charles Pinckney.