Final answer:
Benjamin Rush reminded Thomas Jefferson of his authorship of the DOI due to the moral significance of its language which advocated for natural rights and hinted at anti-slavery sentiments. Jefferson believed the Missouri Compromise was but a temporary solution to the persistent issue of slavery.
Step-by-step explanation:
Benjamin Rush likely reminded Jefferson that he wrote the Declaration of Independence (DOI) because its language of natural rights and anti-slavery overtones held significant moral weight. The DOI was a foundational document expressing American ideals of freedom and individual rights, which had global impacts. It included phrases inspired by Blackstone's notions of 'self-evident,' 'unalienable rights,' and the 'Laws of Nature, and Nature's God.' Jefferson's acknowledgment of the DOI's importance, coupled with the subsequent policies and compromises such as the Missouri Compromise, highlighted the struggles America faced to reconcile its founding principles with the reality of slavery and expansion. Jefferson characterizes the Missouri Compromise line as a 'reprieve only, not a final sentence,' indicating that this temporary measure only delayed the addressing of larger issues regarding slavery.