James Tallmadge In The Missouri Compromise

In an era where slavery was viewed as a profitable and reputable source of wealth, income, power, and an economic driving force, divisions amongst opinions added fuel to the flame for an unavoidable conflict to ignite. The Missouri Compromise came about for views, even within a time with which like-mindedness was prized and raised to the highest of glories on a pedestal, vastly varied on the issue of slavery and its seemingly rather loosely tied boundaries. With two opposing sides, the North for the removal of slavery and the South in favor of its continued existence -- territorial issues were heavy on the mind. Though often revered as being a more verbal form of compromise that laid out specific boundaries within the states, or two states …show more content…
The astonished reactions Tallmadge had so appropriately received were a result of his introduction of an amendment regarding slavery in Missouri, and how he supposed it should be properly handled. Within the amendment, Tallmadge proposed that slavery in Missouri should be used to “prohibit the further introduction of slaves into Missouri and to provide for the gradual emancipation of those born thereafter the admission of the state” ( ___2__ ). As the border states and Virginia in particular focused a whirlwind of attention onto the new territories, in hopes of auctioning off its “ dangerous surplus of slaves”, the amendment could not, realistically, last for an extended period of time. “Approved by the House but defeated by the Senate, it precipitated a controversy which became nationwide” ( __2___). Through the employment of a debate which viewed both sides of the discrepancy as brought about by Tallmadge’s proposed amendment, on the 16th of February in the year 1819, the House allowed the “Missouri bill” to pass, entailing with it the internal harborings of “slavery restrictions”, though it was only passed by