Pinckney, Charles, 1757-1824 to Joseph Gales, Jr.

Written by Pinckney, a signer of the U.S. Constitution, as a Congressman from South Carolina to Gales, an editor of the National Intelligencer newspaper. Letter marked "Confidential." Sending along a copy of his speech against the prohibition of slavery in Missouri. He regrets that it has taken so long because he has been travelling. He wants his speech to appear in one issue of the paper and gives directions so that it will be as mistake-free as possible when it is printed. He hopes they like it and that they will notice "some observations as to the dependence of the Eastern & Northern States on the Southern & Western for the employment of their ships & seamen which ought to be more generally known than at present." He mentions that some state constitutions have "defects" while Missouri's has "superiority." Says since the issue in Congress was based on Missouri's constitution, he thought his comparisons were well put. Says a number of his friends told him that was the case afterward. He asks for 5 or 6 copies of the issue it will appear in. Note at bottom says this letter should be given to William Seaton, his partner, if Gales is not available. Docket says it arrived June 12.