1820, January 22: Henry Clay letter to Kentucky Judge Adam Beatty, an old friend and supporter.

At present Spanish affairs, manufactures, and every other matter of public concern, have given way to the Missouri question, which engrosses the whole thoughts of the members, and constitutes almost the only topic of conversation. It is a most unhappy question, awakening sectional feelings, and exasperating them to the hightest degree. The words, civil war, and disunion, are uttered almost without emotion, and a Senator of the United States, in his place, as I understand, said the other day that he would rather have both than fail in the resolution.”

The Life, Correspondence, and Speeches of Henry Clay, vol. IV (A.S. Barnes & Co., 1857)