Early in the year 1787, the framers of the constitution convened in Philadelphia to discuss the problems of governing the new nation. Among the problems debated that existed with the states was the incorporation of western territories and whether they would be slave states or "free states." These problems would steady the course and discourse of this nation for another 32 years, when in 1819 a new territory Missouri petitioned to join the union as a slave state and started the debate that would literally and figuratively divide the south. .
During the year of 1819, the nation was comprised of 22 states, and of them, 11 were "free states" and 11 were considered "slave states." It is clear what the impact of adding another state would do to the even sided nation; by adding a new state the union essentially knocks off the comfortable balance that was found in the United States senate and gave an advantage of slave states over Free states in the senate. The fact that the newly applied Missouri chose to become a slave state garnered the attention of James Tallmadge, Jr. James Tallmadge, Jr. Was a Democratic-Republican from the state of New York and was an opponent of slavery who, in response to the Missouri application, sought to impose conditions that would rid slavery from Missouri for the remainder of history. James Tallmadge introduced the Tallmadge Amendment stating:.
"And provided, that the further introduction of slavery or involuntary servitude be prohibited, except for the punishment of crimes, whereof the party shall have been fully convicted; and that all children born within the said State, after the admission thereof into the Union, shall be free at the age of twenty-five years" (1).
During this year, the house was made up of two senators per state, no matter the size of the state. Many southern states did not agree with the Tallmadge Amendment for what they presumed as good reasons.