To relate in an accurate manner the story of Missouri's struggle for statehood, of her first constitutional convention and constitution, and of her first state election and legislature, has been my purpose. The birth of a state is an important event. The travail of the State of Missouri was especially significant even in the history of the Nation. Congress alone was forced to adopt two compromises after four sessions of debate before the "Missouri Question" was settled. The existence of slavery in new states and territories was for the first time the great problem in public discussion and Congressional debate. The national side of Missouri's struggle for statehood has received more or less attention from writers: the local side has been passed over with little comment. The latter made its appeal to me over six years ago. Beginning in 1909 and continuing to 1911, I made a study of the history and origin of the Missouri constitution of 1820. During the years following I enlarged this study to its present scope.<br><br>Few secondary works were used in this volume. Private and public manuscripts, laws, constitutions, journals of legislative bodies and constitutional conventions, memoirs and newspapers, have been the bases of most statements. The chief defect of the work lies in its lack of a Bibliography. This has been largely remedied, however, by the foot-notes which explain where the material consulted may be found.<br><br>To a number of persons I am indebted for aid. For suggestions and criticisms of a literary character, I beg to acknowledge the kind services of Profs. H. M. Belden, A. H. R. Fairchild and H. McC. Burrowes, of the English Department of the University of Missouri. For assistance of a historical nature, I am under obligations to Prof. F. F. Stephens, of the History Department of the University of Missouri, and to the Hon. Louis Houck, of Cape Girardeau, Missouri.