Washington Feby 9. 1820. Dear Sir I have yours of the 7th. You have taken what I suggested in mine of the 5th, in regard to compromitment, in too strong a sense. I believe that the best motives govern the parties referrd to, & that they think, an adherence to the plan adopted some time since, has a much fairer prospect of success in the object contemplated than any other. The discussion is still depending here, & the excitement [Eastward] not diminished. My own opinion always has been, [inserted: that the union] cannot be shaken, tho I greatly lament that a question like the present, in which its extremities are so differently circumstancd, and the one so badly inform'd of the condition of the other; a question too so well calculated to enlist the feeling of the one against the other, should have been found practicable in our system. Artful men, it might be expected, would be sure to avail themselves of it, to promote their own purposes. They have done so, but I hope, that the object will be defeated, in all its parts. Our members act with firmness & moderation, I mean those [2] opposed to the project. They as yet however want concert, tho' that will necessarily [grow] up from the necessity of the case. Your friend James Monroe my communications are in profound confidence