Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-12-08

giving no quarter. The other objection
was on the ground Of The constitution
lie d'dhot see that Congress had power TO
punish Grim : committed against state,
or IN ITS ports o. harbors. The constitution
expressly gave Congress power to define
and punish crimes and piracies committed
on the high seas; bat not within states
limits.
Mr.. Smile observed a great deal Of
embarrassment had taken place on word
ing the section; that however was no, to
be wondered at, as the bill had only Jus,
been distributed but the last oljec(,on,
, that it was unconstitutional, deserved very
serious reflection; he should therefore
move the committee to rise, with d view
OF giving time for consideration.
Mr. Nicholson had no objection to The
committee rising; but he would not have
1t understood that he had any CONSTITUTE
onal difficulties to struggle with Congress
had powers sufficient TO enforce their re-
venue laws, ard this very bill concentrates
hat, as one circumstance that may occur,
and ought to be corrected-But whence
did the gentleman (Mr r. Griswoldl ac-
quire this tinidity, this care for state
rights! II IS believed they have not stood
N his way on former occasions, any more
;han they DID 10 The wav Of hose with
whom he acted. In the case of the sedi-
ton bIl, which lrenched upon the state
courts jurisdiction. there was no squtaln
Ishness, the end iustiiyiug Tie means.
The committee rose, reported progress,
and obtained leave to sit again.
Mr.. l. RapIpipl M. 4 r. H., e
he day on the report OF the committee of
ways and means, respecting ihe remi,si.
on OF duties on book, imported for the use
OF colleges and seninares OF lcarniug-
ihe resolution declaring it 10 be inexpedi-
ent to allow the same.
The house taking the subject into con-
sidera,ion,
Mr.. Randolph observed tina, the con
s'ituiion OF the United States was a grant
OF limited powers Tor general objects
which congress had no fiqhl 20 exceed, al
though they might think the powers too
lnniied. jhiS position nc considered rs Of
primary Importance. Its leading feature
was an adherence of exclusive. privile.
ge"; ii might be called The key OF ina!
instrument; every thing which ,osc I'D in
the shape OF privilege was repressed in n
peculiar manner, whether il related 20
order or Classes Of men. Whenever they
have touched the doctrine Of privilege lhe
trainers Of that instrument, end the PEG
pie of the United States adopting H. have
been careful that nothing should be got
by inference or Chns,ruction.--The prlyi-
!eges OF the house even, have been pre-
cisely defined, and nothing is LEFT for its
extension, whatever may be the wishes
or disposition of the members The prin.
clpie that this Constitution is but limit, d
grant OF power occurs, if not direClly,
yet frequently ard eHecualiv, so that it
cannot be mistaken. On the privilege
asked for, to permit colleges aud univer-
sites to import their books free cl impost,
We refer to The Sth secjion Of the first ar
/ lcIe, where T. is declared that congress
shall have power 10 levy and collect taxes,
duties, imposts and eXcises; bu, ali du-
ties, irnposts and excuses, shall be uniform.
/ Throughout the United Stutcs. The i'm
I post shah be uniform. ii is lamcntable
\ iaci, but nevertheless il is a fact, and can
rot be too much dwell and Insisted upon,
nor too wen known, that tire ambiguiy OF
! language givcs our constitution dat cha
racter which leaves il IN the power or ciyi-
iians 10 say it means any thing or uo.hing.
| Whatever may have been said on Other
| points; think in this ms ance the Ian
guage IS 60 definite that il ceunot possibly
he mistaken. They shall be uniform,
that " TO say, there shall BE- but one guam
lum, one mode OF collecting, aud one man.
ner; there shall not be two measures to
ms.c with. If congress undertake to ex-
er,pt one class Of people from the pay
ment Of the impo5t they may exempt o.
theirs also. If They begin win colleges s,
universities for the advancement OF learn
ing, surely they may 60 on 70 exempt the
clergy and congregation for the sGymc,-
meut Of religion they may exempt their
own members indeed 10 Garnet re seen
where they arc n stop, having once oven.
lcaped the constitutional barrier and cn.
tered on tie vide field oi privilege. Tie
duties mus, ne uniform no body can be-
exempted the President, if I've chuses 10
import books, must pay ;lis duty as ,s,H
IS auy private citizen. IN ibis country we
have 40 privileged clase,a must fare aiile,
every man wu-t bend 60 the law. sod the
fax p.t-ef bp ia f,,rgt, ,.i..tl,- ,., t.,J 90.