The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-03-01
WAsuINoroN. Feb %
moved.

The President OF the u. s. has exercised his
constitutional prerogative Of refusing 10 sign
law passed by Congress. The subject of the
law was tue incorporation of the Protestant E.
pscopai Church in the Town of Alexandria: the
reasons gwen for his refusal will be found in
Thursdays proceedings. This IS, we believe,
only the third time thai any President has bought
Tit to exercise this right. Gen. Washington on
two occasions refused his appreciation TO bills
presented tor his signature neither Mr. JeiTer
non or Mr. Adams, we believe, ever withheld
their signature from any law passed by Con-
gress.
The following are the reasons assigned by the
Vice President of the u. S. for his casting vote
on the question Of striking out the first section
OF the bull tor renewing the charter of the Bank
OF the u 5.
GENTLEMEN,
=, AS the subject, on which 1 am
called upon to decide, has excited great sensibi
lty, must solicit the indulgence Of the Senate
whilst briefly state the reasons which infiue.,:e
my judgment
Permit me to observe, that the question to be
decided does not depend simply upon the right
OF Congress to establish under any modification
bank, but upon their power to establish Ns-
tionai Bank as contemplated by this bill. In o.
thar words, can they create body polite and
corporate, not constituting part of the govern
neht, nor otherwise responsible TO it but by for.
vi anu DestOW on Its members
privileges, immunities and exemptions not re.
cognised ny the laws # the states nor enioyed
by the citizens gener ally 1t cannot be doubted
out mat Congress may pass all necessary and
proper laws for carrying into execution the pow
rrs specifically granted TO the government, or to
any department or Office thereof; but, in doing
81, the means must be suited and subordinate to
the end The power TO create corpora
aons is not expressly granted IL is high attri-
nute OF sovereignty, and IN its nature not accessp-
riai or derivative by implication, but primary and
independent
cannot believe that this Interpretation ofthe
constitution will, in any degree, defeat the pur-
poses for which it was formed OH the contrary
1t does appear to me that tue opposite exposition
mas an inevitable tendency to consolidation and
affords just and serious cause of alarm.
In the course of long life, have found that
government is not to be strength ned by an as
sumption ofdoubtful powers, but by wise and
energetic execution of those which are incontes
t'bie the former never fails to produce suspi
cion and distrust, whilst the latter inspires res
pect & confidence.
IT, however, after a fair experiment, the pow
ers vested IN the government shall be found in
competent to the attainment ofthe objects for
which 1t was instituted, the constitution happily
furnishes the mean tor remedying the evil by a
mendment, and have no doubt that in such e.
vent on an appeal to the patriotism and good
sense OF the community, it will be wisely appli
ed.
Will not tresPass upon the patience oft the Sc
nate any longer Chan to say, from the best exami
nation have been able to give the subject. am
constrained by sense of duty to decide in the
atfirmatlve-that is, that the first section of the
bill be stricken out.