I am writing an essay and I am hesitant about my grammar. “The Missouri Compromise of 1820 stated that new states above the 36-30 line were to be free and those below the line slave.” or should it be “The Missouri Compromise of 1820 stated that new states above the 36-30 line to be free and those below the line slave.” The general format is “(someone or something in this case) stated that _____ were to be __” vs “(someone or something in this case) stated that to be _____” If someone can find an article or other resource that discusses this it would be great as well!
“were to be” is correct.
This of it this way, if you pare it down to just
X stated that they were to be …
vs.
X stated that they to be …
Having the “that” in the sentence makes what follows a subordinate clause which would call for a conjugated verb. Had you said:
X declared them to be
then the subject of the subordinate clause would be in the objective (not nominative) case and the verb would be in the infinitive.
Don’t have a reference for you, but I’m pretty sure that I’m right (perhaps looking up rules about subordinate clauses might yield some useful information).
I stated that they to be free VS I stated that they were to be free
It is evident that “were to be” is correct
ABOVE POSTER provides a vivid explanation
C.F. The “subjunctive” on the Online Writing Lab at Purdue.
Edit: to clarify, the verb clause “were to be” is frequently used in the subjunctive to indicate a potential, as opposed to determinate, situation. (“If I were to be shot, I might die.”). It is distinct from the use of the phrase here, indicating a future determination (“Those found guilty were to be transported to Australia.”) but I thought it might be a good opportunity to review another common way the clause is deployed.
Make it simpler. You are stating a fact: “The Missouri Compromise of 1820 stated that new states above the 36-30 line WOULD BE free and those below the line WOULD BE slave.”